Review by Josh Felty
Rating: ***
Songs of Note: Overlord, Chupacabra
Black Label Society, the epic solo project by Zakk Wylde of Ozzy fame, has a steady repertoire of music you never forget. Their newest offering, Order of the Black, is no exception: a beautifully orchestrated record consisting of wailing guitar solos, blinding riffs, and the inherent dark Southern rock BLS is known for. Included are some headbanging thrashers like "Overlord" and "Black Sunday" that will thoroughly please the ardent metal fan; there are also amazing songs in "Riders of the Damned" and "Godspeed Hellbound", showcasing that Sabbath-fueled pulse Wylde has pushed for years. This guy is the Iommi of our time. Keep a handkerchief handy for "Darkest Days", a moving piano ballad that the Ozzman himself would probably dream of for his own catalog. Order of the Black is full of the crunching shredding and dark lyrics to be expected in a BLS release, with some added surprises that do not fail to deliver.