Order Of The Black

 

 

Create your own review

There ain't much to say. Buy it, you won't regret it.

Long live BLS.

It's well known that Ozzy Osbourne kicked out Zakk Wylde of his band in 2009. I wouldn't say it that way; Ozzy fancied a change and hired Firewind's Gus G as his new guitar player (though at times he can sound like Zakk), it was an amicable departure and I'm sure that eventually Zakk will be back with Ozzy. The Prince of darkness released Scream earlier in 2010 and it did well. Meanwhile Zakk was diagnosed with blood clots and focused his attention on his band, Black Socitety, and worked on an upcoming album. Six years after the band's last album, 2006's Shot To Hell (and the 2009 compilation Skullage) Black Label Society returns with Order Of The Black and while it's nothing really new, there are different things and I feel this is the best Black Label album in a while. It's definitely a very good metal album, solid all the way trough and I even like the ballads (even though they do kind of sound alike due to the piano). It's nothing revolutionary, just Zakk and the crew playing metal as they know and love it. If you know Black Label you kind of know what to expect yet you don't because it's in the same BLS vein but it seems filled with more creativity and is an overall more different album than some of the past albums the band released. I'd go as far as saying that being away from Ozzy for a while really helped this album being as good as it turned out to be, Zakk put all of his energy on OOTB and it sounds like it.

For the album description I won't go through all the songs as other reviewers have already done that, so here it goes! Crazy Horse kicks off the album with a bang, this fast rocker is sure to get you in a headbanging mood! Overlord is probably my favorite song of the entire album, it rocks, strong lyrics need I say more? Parade of the Dead was the first single released from the album, a heavy riff-driven song, typical Zakk Wylde, this one is really catchy. Zakk may be a heavy metaller (or whatever you want to call him) but he can write a damn good ballad as well and I feel he did some excellent ones here; I can appreciate ballads so I loved those as well. Darkest Days is an example of that, it's mellow but not TOO mellow, plus the solo is sweet. I don't think there are too many ballads on Order Of The Black, it's well mixed, my only complaint would be that they sound a little too much alike perhaps because of the way the piano was featured. Songs like Black Sunday and Godspeed Hellbound don't disappoint, they're metal as can be and War of Heaven is another terrific song, pure Black Label, pure Wylde. Chupacabra is one of those short intros like the ones that could be on early Black Sabbath albums (think of Orchid, Don't Start Too Late and Embryo).

To put it simply it's a very good Black Label album that won't let you down, it's consistent and anyone who likes or ever liked Black Label Society should really give this one a chance; it's a great album that deserves your attention and that quite simply rocks! I was pleasantly surprised probably because even if I read mostly positive reviews (and I read some negative ones as well, I wanted to get an overall opinion and understand some criticism those reviews had) I didn't set my hopes too high and was not completely sure of what to expect. 4 out of 5 stars.

Finally good ol' Zakk pulls himself together to make a decent effort in Order Of The Black. When Zakk started the BLS band some 10 years ago, it had one goal: Destroy bands like Limp Bizkit & Pearl Jam & BLS was well on its way to do so. With the 1st three studio albums, Sonic Brew, Stronger Than Death & 1919 Eternal, the band seemed unstopable. Then, I'm not sure if Zakk ran out of steam (which would be understandable still playing with Ozzy at the time on top of his own personal projects) but, the energy & creativity was not as present on the other BLS albums. The Blessed Hellride was good as well but has too much of commerical vibe to it. Then Mafia sounded more like an improv jam session rather than an actual album; Don't even get me started on the Vol. 6 Music For Hangover & the fact that Road Runner Record let go of BLS after the released of Shot To Hell just prove how much of a disapointment that album was. But Order Of The Black is the shot in the arm that BLS fans needed. Not an amazing release by any means but raw, powerful & to the point which is how a BLS album should be. Definitly worth the purchase.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Order of the Black is Red Hot
For the uninitiated, Black Label Society is not a Johnnie Walker fan club; it's one of the hardest rocking bands in metal today. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Paul S. Power

5.0 out of 5 stars OOTB
With Zakk's health issues and with the whole Ozzy situation some might of thought Zakk was down. Instead he showed them he wants world domination! Read more

Published 21 months ago by SDMF_JOHN

5.0 out of 5 stars BLS101
Here is to hoping that it's something that reflects the brillance of Book of shadows and the true grit of Shot to hell.

Published 22 months ago by Arnold A. Alexander

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!