Review of Black Label Society - The Blessed Hellride

After covering Lamb of God's newest installment of Pure American Metal last week, this time I get to check out some Pure American Rock & Roll. Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society quickly returns with another album of beer-swilling hard rock following last year's 1919 Eternal. This year's dose of BLS, The Blessed Hellride, features some of their strongest work to date, overall, challenging the high mark set by Stronger Than Death. BLS seems to have found their stride with this album, as the songs move fluidly from foot-stomping rockers into the acoustic ballads Zakk loves so much. The ability of the band is unquestioned, with Zakk shredding away on the spiraled Gibson, and Mike Inez (Alice in Chains) strumming on the bass. Zakk also tickles the ivories on the soft closer, Dead Meadow. The one notable change in the band's sound is the vocal range Zakk has added. In addition to his usual gruff tone, at times he slips into Ozzy mode, while in a few other spots he bears a striking similarity to Axl Rose in the Use Your Illusion days. The production is clean and crisp, always emphasizing his six-string. A sure fan favorite that speaks to the masses starts off the album: Stoned and Drunk. It's a fast-moving song with a pounding rhythm section, with Zakk belting out the verses and a fist-pumping chorus. Doomsday Jesus harkens back to the Stronger Than Death album with its heavier, sludgier outlook and trademark guitar squeals in spades. The first single, Stillborn, features the one and only Ozzy in a guest appearance, and it's here where Zakk sounds like the old man. Catchy as fuck, this feels more at home on an Ozzy album than a BLS album, as it's by far the most upbeat song on here. Final Solution is slower and crunchier, but buried within is a beautiful solo, and it's this sort of stuff that lifts BLS above most of the music cluttering rock radio nowadays. Take notes, it IS alright to play your guitars and to be a little flashy. Destruction Overdrive is the last hard song on the album before Zakk goes soft for the final three songs, but it coasts along on a wave of shredding and fast-paced rhythm. My only real complaint with the album is the abundance of slow tracks. While they're not bad at all, 4 out of 11 is a bit much. BLS remains steady at the helm, and any prior fans owe it to themselves to pick up this release. Now, each of us has a mission to undertake at the completion of this review. You, the reader, have to go and check out The Blessed Hellride, and remember how rock music used to, well....rock. My mission is to go out and buy a Harley Davidson and a leather vest, because when I hear Black Label Society I feel an overwhelming urge to rev up my hog, toss my girl on the backseat, and cruise up to Laconia. (Or Sturgis, or Daytona, etc.)

Release Details

Black Label Society

The Blessed Hellride

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