Black Label Society “Engines Of Demolition”
‘I saw you yesterday, never thinking it would end’ Zakk Wylde sings, emotional, heartbroken and in mourning during the closing ballad Ozzy’s Song on Black Label Society’s new album Engines Of Demolition.
It’s been an rollercoaster twelve months for the Prince Of Darkness’s protégé, his right-hand man, Zakk Wylde. The Pantera roadshow continues, as do many special guest slots at award shows honouring fallen heroes, however on this album he finally does what he loves best. Rocking.
Opening with Name In Blood, Wylde is straight out old good fashioned 70’s rock n roll. Stories within the songs, heavy riffs everywhere and choruses to sing.
Wylde wears his influences openly, always a big classic rock fan, as he spices up the past with his own sauce of chugging grooves and bluesy solos. Gatherers Of Souls instantly reminds of Sabbath’s Hole In The Sky, with its rolling riffs and galloping drums.
The Hands Of Tomorrow’s Grave has a slower doom beat which splits into a blues dual guitar solo, while Better Days & Wiser Times has that Wild Horses swaying softness of floating along a river on a warm summers day. Just a boy and his guitar.
However it’s the rocking swirling blonde mane of Wylde we know and love him for, and there are plenty of bar room rockers and highway star highlights on the album.
Broken And Blind swings, Lord Humungus as huge as the Mad Max character himself and Pedal To The Floor every bit a speed chase as the title suggests.
However, the closing number, Ozzy’s Song is where we forget how many people are still hurting. Wylde, a long-time collaborator, leads us on a piano ballad that is heartfelt, painful and beautiful.
Black Label Society are straight up hard rock and metal. If you’re a fan already, you’ll love this. Even if you stop by for the ode to Ozzy, you’ll enjoy the simplicity in just listening to great music. However, I’ll leave the last line in the review to Wylde himself as it’s the last lyric in the album. To Ozzy.
‘Now the race is run, all the chaos and the war, when all is said and done, I couldn’t ask for more.’
Album Review By Iain McCallum
