Black Label Society Album Review
Black Label Society – Order of the Black
Words by John ‘Hank’ Layland
The axeman cometh. Having recently been replaced at Ozzy’s right hand side by new comer Gus G, guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde and his cohorts from Black Label Society are back with a new album “Order of the Black”. And as it’s their first studio release since 2006′s slightly lackluster “Shot to Hell” the band have a lot to prove. Opening track “Crazy Horse” sets the tone, a torrent of no frills heavy metal riffage and anthemic chorus’ that will no doubt become a staple at live shows in the future. “Overlord”, “Parade of the Dead” and “Southern Dissolution” continue the aural assault and even if you’re not a huge fan of Black Labels style of music there’s no denying Zakk Wyldes ability to pen a riff that can induce headbanging at a moments notice.
Unfortunately however between the fretboard gymnastics and pinched harmonic squeals Zakk feels the need to put his trademark Les Paul aside, sit down at the grand piano and slow things down with a few saccharine ballads. There’s nothing particularly wrong with them, but I found myself reaching for the skip button on more than one occasion because as well written as they are I just wasn’t particularly moved by them and they lack much of the soul and emotion found in Zakks earlier work on “Book of Shadows”.
“Order of the Black” is exactly what Black Label fans will be expecting. It doesn’t break the mould and it’s an enjoyable album (if you exercise your right to skip a ballad here and there) but while I really wanted to love it after the disappointment of “Shot to Hell” it’s still thoroughly mediocre when compared to their earlier albums. Fans will undoubtedly love it but in the end it just left me wanting more.
7/10
September 1st, 2010
yeahh…same with this also….9/10!!! great album!! \m/