Black Label Society – Order of the Black
Ahh, Zakk Wylde, a man with a resume and discography spanning longer than the length of his hair and beard combined. If you don’t know who he is or know any of his music, I feel inclined to ask you to pull your head out of your posterior; but since I’m a nice girl, I won’t do that. What I will do is offer up a condensed history of Black Label Society because I feel that it’s important to know a bit about this band. Allow me to enlighten you.
BLS is a band with a huge following; and when I say huge, I mean massive. Berserkers, as they call themselves, are similar to a biker gang and are loyal fans of Black Label Society and Zakk. With their leather vests and bandannas, they live by the mantra “S.M.D.F.” (Strength. Determination. Merciless. Forever) and take it very seriously. And I have to admit, Black Label Society is a guilty pleasure of mine. And while I won’t classify myself as a Berserker (because let’s face it, bandannas just aren’t my thing), I can say I’ve long been a fan of Zakk Wylde. I’m quite fond of his 1996 solo album, Book of Shadows, and still listen to The Blessed Hellride often as it is one my favorite BLS albums. I hold Zakk in high regard as one of the great guitarists of our time.
Order of the Black is the band’s first album since 2006′s Shot to Hell and marks the first BLS album released since Zakk and Ozzy parted ways after twenty three years together. It’s also the first album with new drummer Will Hunt (ex-Skrape, Dark New Day, Evanescence, etc). Honestly, though, if you’ve ever listened to BLS, you know exactly what you’re going to get. The upside to that is there’s never any awkwardly unfamiliar territory. Zakk’s uniquely unusual vocals, pinch harmonics (every fifteen seconds or so), chugging guitar riffs, insane solos, and a few piano ballads thrown in for variety. The downside is that, at least for this reviewer, if you’ve heard one album, you’ve heard them all.
Order of the Black starts off with “Crazy Horse” and it features trademark BLS riffs and loads of pinch harmonics. While it’s a decent song, I didn’t get particularly interested in it until the bridge. It’s definitely catchy, but that could have a lot to do with its repetitive nature. “Overload” quickly rescued me from my boredom, though, with its opening Southern groove. I sing along to its chorus every time without fail.
“Darkest Days” is the album’s first piano-driven ballad, and offered a much needed break from the incessant squealing of the ever-present pinch harmonics. It is absolutely the kind of song I could listen to through my headphones while relaxing after a long day. “Time Waits For No One” is the album’s second piano ballad, but really didn’t do much for me and left me a little disappointed. “Shallow Grave” made up for “Time Waits For No One’s” shortcomings, and then some. Arguably one of the album’s strongest tracks, this song just bleeds emotion from the very first second you hear it, and is a must listen.
“Southern Dissolution” is another strong track worth noting. To me, the chorus bears an indescribable resemblance to “Blackened Waters” from 2004′s The Blessed Hellride. “Godspeed Hellbound” goes from full speed metal to an unexpected acoustic interlude, only to rip your face off again with more screaming guitars. “War of Heaven” features an interesting dark, brooding intro that grows into a fairly decent song, though not one of the strongest on the album.
“Chupacatra” is a 48 second whirlwind of flamenco style guitar. If you’re not careful, you might miss it; but make sure you don’t because it’s certainly interesting. The album ends solemnly with the mellow acoustic song “January.” While it’s not a bad song, it isn’t the ending I would have hoped for.
Overall, Order of the Black is a decent outing for these veterans, though it’s far from being their best album in my opinion. If you’ve never been a fan of Black Label Society, now is probably not the time to start. For those of you who are already fans, the album will definitely have quite a few things to offer you. And lastly, for you Berserkers: Bleed Black Label!
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16 Comments
July 28th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
As always, GREAT JOB! I'm not a fan of this band at all, but you were fair and that is all anyone can ask for.
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July 29th, 2010 at 4:10 am
"…but since I'm a nice girl…" LIES, LIES, LIES! In all seriousness, great review, Jen.
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Jen replied:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
That's not nice, Josh! haha
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July 30th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Good review, Jen
Although, I totally agree that once you've heard one BLS album, you've pretty much heard them all. Sonic Brew is still my favorite. I'm still hoping that Zakk will do something like Book of Shadows again, though. I never really want an artist to go backwards and rehash anything, but an updated version of that album would be cool.
Who knew you could make a career out of pinch harmonics?
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Jen replied:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Thanks, umm "Nitrohippie"
I wonder if another "Book of Shadows" type album would be a good idea for him. Not sure he has the voice for it like he once did. Everything sound so garbled now (to me).
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Nitrohippie replied:
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
True story. His voice sounds too much like Ozzy now. I think that's what happens when you spend too much time immersed in one of your influences… you become them. Oh well. I can still hope
And what's with the "umm" thing??
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Jen replied:
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Sorry, I just always feel a little silly referring to someone by something other than their real name…unless Nitrohippie is your real name. lol
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Nitrohippie replied:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Lol, no, it's not my real name
It's just a stupid screen name I made up quite awhile ago, and I still end up using on the computer for some things. I say this thinking that you probably won't remember anyway, but my name is Nick.
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Chris replied:
January 13th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
I guess you missed the song January.
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August 11th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Shallowww graveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
destruction
excepcional.
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Jen replied:
August 14th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
That's one of my fav songs from the album!
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August 12th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I give this album 5/5 without doubt. Pure awesomness.
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Jen replied:
August 14th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Awesome that you loved it. I really wanted to, but I find myself preferring other BLS albums over this one.
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August 26th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I agree with alot of what has been said. One of the things that I like to point out is that Zakk's pinch harmonics are simply part of his style. He's had those ever since day one. I must admit that my favorite recordings from Zakk are his Pride and Glory material. This being said… Order of the Black was much better than his last 2. Those seemed much like afterthoughts to me. In saying so, I will admit that this still isn't going to be one of my favs. I don't mind the piano stuff, it just seems that they are all written in the same seating. January was written about his dad who died in the month of January, so it's kinda hard to not give that song a pass.
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September 8th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Great review. I definitely agree that Zakk Wylde is one of the best guitarists out there right now. It's a solid album- nothing exceptionally great, but nothing horribly bad either. Although I have trouble listening past Parade of the Dead without starting it over again. Such a catchy song.
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February 21st, 2012 at 2:14 am
After I heard the smoking hot lead guitar in Overlord starting around the 3:41 mark, I was blown away and have become a Zakk Wylde fan ever since. Zakk’s personal style is written on every note of that lead. Meaning when you hear those notes and the way he plays them, you can tell it’s Zakk bcz his style is totally his own. Very agressive, dark rhythms and great hot lead guitar all over this CD. Zakk Wylde has proven himself to be not only a superb hard rock guitarist but an excellent songwriter, arranger and all around 1st Class A#1 musician’s musician on this awesome CD!
As siskel and ebert would say “4 huge thumbs up!”
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