Black Label Society
Formed: 1998
From:
Los Angeles,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
"Black Label Society" is a heavy metal/Southern Metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with 8 albums released to date. The first, Sonic Brew, was released in 1999. The band's latest studio album "Shot To Hell" was released on the 11th (UK) and 12th (US) of September 2006, the first release under Roadrunner Records, and was produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers).
In 1992, Ozzy retired after the No More Tears tour, which left Zakk to form his own solo band Pride & Glory, blending potent bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. In 1994 Ozzy decided to come out of retirement, and the numerous recording sessions for Ozzmosis took place. Around this time, Zakk was also offered the open guitar slot in Guns N' Roses and had a hard time deciding whether to tour with Ozzy or join Guns N' Roses. Neither project panned out. This gave Wylde the opportunity to record his own acoustic solo album, "Book of Shadows." After limited commercial success with Book Of Shadows, in 1998, Zakk and drummer Phil Ondich formed Black Label Society and recorded their debut album "Sonic Brew." Nick Catanese has been Zakk's rhythm guitarist since the Book Of Shadows tour. Craig Nunenmacher has been drumming since 1919 Eternal (2001) following Phil's departure.
Black Label Society headlined the second stage at this year's Ozzfest (US). Tickets for fall dates in the US have gone on sale, and the band will tour Australia, New Zealand and the UK in late 2006 and early 2007.
The song "Fire It Up", from the 2005 album Mafia, featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game ''Guitar Hero''.
On June 29, 2006, "Concrete Jungle", the first single from "Shot to Hell" was released online via Blabbermouth.net, which is owned by the band's new record label Roadrunner Records. The single's , directed by
http://whatisaggressive.com/... was released in early September 2006.
Latest Black Label Society News
Below is our complete Black Label Society news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Zakk Wylde Interview, Acoustic Performance Online
Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde gave a 44-minute audio interview and acoustic performance for Doug Podell of Detroit’s WFIF 101.1 FM earlier this month. The audio has been posted online for streaming (windows media).
Black Label Society are to support Ozzy Osbourne on his European tour, which will start off in Moscow on May 27th.
Zakk Wylde Donating Million Dollar Lab To Children
Black Label Society frontman / Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde is in the process of donating a million-dollar lab to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over a five-to-ten-year period. The foundation is in the process of becoming established and there have already been sizeable donations.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization.
Nick Catanese Drops Off BLS Promotional Tour
Guitarist Nick Catanese of Black Label Society has left the band’s current radio promotional acoustic tour due to “personal reasons.” Zakk Wylde is still going forward with the tour as well as the scheduled Hard Rock Café performances.
Hear Black Label Society's New Album Online
Black Label Society's Shot To Hell CD is the featured listening party on several radio station websites, including WXTB Tampa, WMMS Cleveland, WHRL Albany, and at ClearChannel.com's main music hub.
So drop in and listen to all 13 tracks from this CD, before you decide whether you'd like to pick it up in stores.
Also, check out the new VIDEO for "Blood is Thicker than Water" and get your tickets for the just announced dates on the next Black Label Society TOUR with Sanctity. Here are those tour dates: More...
BLS To Perform on Wrestling Society X
Black Label Society are the featured musical guests on the premiere episode of MTV's new show, Wrestling Society X, which will begin airing on Tuesday, January 30th, January 30 at 10:30 p.m.
So don't forget to tune in and let's get ready to rumble!!!
And check out the stunning VIDEO for "Blood is Thicker than Water," the latest single from BLS' Shot to Hell CD - in stores now.
Ozzy and Black Label Society European Tour Dates
Ozzy Osbourne will tour Europe with Black Label Society starting in May. Tour dates include:
May 27th in Moscow, RUS @ Olympissky Stadium
May 29th in St. Petersburg, RUS @ New Arena
May 31st in Riga, LAT @ Arena Riga
June 2nd in Vilnius, LIT @ Siemens Arena
June 4th in Estonia @ Saku Arena
June 6th in Helsinki, FIN @ Hartwell Arena
June 8th in Trondheim, NOR @ Lerkendal Stadium
June 10th in Oslo, NOR @ Spektrum Arena
June 13th in Copenhagen, DEN @ Forum
June 15th in Hultsfred, SWE @ Hultsfred Festival
June 17th in Holland @ Fields Of Rock Festival
June 19th in London, UK @ Wembley Arena
June 22nd in Spain @ Monsters of Rock
June 24th in Belgium @ Graspop Metal Festival
June 26th in Prague, CZE @ Saska Arena
June 28th in Munich, GER @ Olymialle
June 30th in Milan, ITA @ Idropark Festival
Black Label Society Reveal More Tour Dates
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has lined up the following dates in March:
Mar. 10 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
Mar. 13 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Mar. 15 - N. Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Mar. 17 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend
Mar. 21 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
More dates will be announced soon.
BLS Video to Premiere on Yahoo! Music
The anticipation's been boiling for months and now it's finally here! Yahoo Music is proud to present the world premiere of Black Label Society's brand new video, "Blood Is Thicker Than Water."
Get ready to see the doom crew in a whole new light on this great video from BLS' recent release, Shot To Hell.
Black Label Society Release Initial Tour Dates
Some initial dates have been released for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's upcoming tour:
March 10 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
March 13 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
March 21 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Vote On Songs For BLS's New Setlist
Black Label Society are allowing their fans to vote on songs for the setlist of their forthcoming "Shot To Hell" tour. You may vote once per album, and you may do so at this location. Get on to it, and let the guys know what songs you really want to hear live.
Hear BLS's Entire "Shot To Hell" CD On AOL Music
AOL Music is hosting a stream of Black Label Society's brand new album "Shot To Hell," which was released Tuesday, September 12.
You can also check out the Shot To Hell E-card here.
Zakk Wylde's Australian In-Store Appearances
Zakk Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has scheduled the following in-store appearances in Australia:
Wednesday, Sept. 20 @ 2pm – Kosmic Sound – Perth
Saturday, Sept. 23 @ 2pm – JB Hi Fi – Adelaide
Sunday, Sept. 24 @ 2pm – Gallin's Guitars – Brunswick St Melbourne
Tuesday, Sept. 26 @ 2pm – Utopia Records – Sydney
Thursday, Sept. 28 @ 2pm – TBC – Brisbane
As previously reported, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new album, "Shot to Hell", is available for streaming in its entirety at AOL Music. The CD, which is released today (Tuesday, September 12), was produced by Zakk Wylde and Michael Beinhorn (OZZY, KORN, SOUNDGARDEN), and recorded with longtime pals Craig Nunenmacher (drums) and John "J.D." DeServio (bass). A video for the song "Concrete Jungle" has now been officially unveiled at the Roadrunner Records web site. The clip was conceptualized, directed and produced by the Aggressive directorial duo and is said to be "one of the coolest metal videos" in a while. A couple of pieces of the test art can be viewed at the following links: Image#1, Image#2.
Zakk Wylde On New Album, Tour And Ozzy
X-Press Magazine have posted an interview with guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde online. Zakk has recently finished headlining Ozzfest with both Black Label Society, on second stage, and Ozzy Osbourne's band of the same name on first, and is now laying down tracks for Ozzy's next studio album, whilst releasing BLS's new album, "Shot To Hell", and DVD, "European Invasion: Doomtroopin'". Excerpts from the interview follow:
DH: On the new album, Shot To Hell, did you record everything yourself again in the studio?
ZW: As always, you know how it goes, you get in the studio and you just start writing. We never do pre-production or anything like that. As soon as we get in there it's game on.
DH: A go-with-the-flow kind of thing?
ZW: Totally. I've done it the other way with Ozzy, you know, rehearsed with the producer we have and it's like produce, go over it again, go over it again, let's see what the kick drum's doing. It's like, 'does it really matter? Just let us play dude we know the goddamn songs, just let us get in there 'cause we're like sucking all the fire out of these songs'. Rehearsals to me are like getting ready for the tour.
DH: You obviously don't use the band that you tour with on the records?
ZW: Yeah, totally. I just get in the studio and knock it out. I didn't have any ideas before we got in there, eight days later I had 23 songs. Got all the riffs, start doing the guitars, because I record like everything on the bass, going through a Marshall, so this way you're going to have to come up with riffs. You've got four strings - I mean that's it, it's going to start riffing out on the damn thing.
DH: You're doing double duty playing with Ozzy and headlining Stage 2 with Black Label Society at this year's Ozzfest. Is it tough going out there every night and keeping the energy level up?
ZW: I'd be on stage at like 3pm. I get up every day about 10.30-11am, something like that, go into the hotel just grab something to eat, lift weights.
DH: You train hardcore, Dorian Yates style?
ZW: Without a doubt that's my guy, man. We just lift then come 12 o'clock crack my first beer and then it's just like sit on the bus 'til about 3pm, just noodle on the guitar, watch TV for a bit, just chill out. Then 3 o'clock comes rolling around we're on stage with Black Label right after we get done with that I come walking out on the bus put my Black Label colours on the bus put my Ozzy colours on go right back on stage at 4 o'clock and then we gotta knock out another hour. It was like hysterical, there's like a heat wave going on over here. I'm figuring it's just going to be hot in Arizona or something in the south or whatever, everywhere we played it had to be like 110 degrees outside everyday. You could drink like two kegs of beer everyday, eating burgers, pizza, hot dogs and you're still going to drop 30 pounds.
DH: Is Ozzy more fun to hang around sober or when he's tanked?
ZW: It's not one of those things where he can just drink a beer, you know, have a couple of beers with the guys and then call it a day. With him it's a beer then he starts doing the weed and then right after that it's the cocaine, then he's gone for three days and we can't find him.
DH: Your lineage is with the all-time guitar greats such as Rhandy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee and Tony Iommi, all the players connected with Ozzy. When you go in the studio with Ozzy do you enjoy playing songs co-written by guys like David Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Nirvana?
ZW: When all that stuff went down I was just like… no! I mean, first off it was cheesy, horrendous stuff. You know, 'why are we using this? Just because we're paying this guy, this is like they wouldn't even put this stuff on their records… what are we doing'? You know what I mean? I go, 'I could piss shit out of my dick better than this stuff in a New York second'.
DH: To get as musically proficient as someone like Eddie Van Halen, Rhandy Rhoads, Uli Roth, Dimebag or even yourself takes the hard yards of commitment. In doing double duty gigs do you still put in the practice hours to keep the chops up? What's your practice regimen like?
ZW: I still got to practice every day, but I enjoy doing that. I love it. You can always keep getting better. It's like being the heavyweight champion of the world, like Dorian Yates the reason why he won six Mr Olympias was every year he came in bigger and more shredded. You can't just go just because you're there now you just show up and get the trophy. If you are the heavyweight champion of the world, dude, if you don't keep doing what got you there, you're going to get your ass handed to you.
DH: So what were your feelings in the '90s during the whole grunge/nu metal scene when playing solos was being somewhat uncool for the cool school?
ZW: I just figured everything's full circle. Everything just got to the point when it couldn't go any higher with the shredding thing, then Nirvana came in with great songs, then Soundgarden, Alice In Chains. You know, those guys were still doing some solos, not to the extent, but I mean Jerry Cantrell was still putting solos in Man In The Box. He still always had solos.
DH: What was it like being in the Rock Star movie?
ZW: I had a great time doing that. It was just funny. 'Let me get this straight, what is it you want me to do?' They said, 'basically you just be yourself really, just hang around play guitar all day, lift weights, drink beer'. I go 'and you're going to pay me for this? Alright, I'm in'. I had a good time doing it man, it was a lot of fun.
DH: Anything else you would like to say before I leave you alone?
ZW: To the rest of the Australian chapters down there, just to tell them to stay strong, keep bleeding Black Label and we'll see them in a little bit.
Read the full article at X-Press Magazine.
Zakk Wylde Discusses New Album
Black Label Society lead guitarist and singer Zakk Wylde, who also plays for Ozzy, talked with TheShowBuzz.com about his new album, 'Shot To Hell'. You can watch the report at CBSNews.com.
Shot To Hell is due to hit stores on Tuesday, September 12th.
BLS's Live Performance Of "In This River" Online
Black Label Society's live performance of "In This River" in Paris, France in 2005 has been posted online here. The clip will feature on BLS's new live DVD, "The European Invasion Doom Troopin'" which is due out through Eagle Vision on the 22nd of August. An e-card for the release can be obtained here. It contains a sample clip and further information.
The announced track listing for "The European Invasion Doom Troopin'" is as follows:
Disc One:
Paris:
01. Stoned and Drunk
02. Destruction Overdrive
03. Been A Long Time
04. Funeral Bell
05. Suffering Overdue
06. In This River
07. Suicide Messiah
08. Demise Of Sanity
09. Spread Your Wings
10. Solo Acoustic Jam
11. Spoke In The Wheel
12. Fire It Up
13. Stillborn
14. Genocide Junkies
London:
01. Been a Long Time
02. Suicide Messiah
03. Stillborn
04. Genocide Junkies
Disc Two (Special Features):
Additional Release Material:
Documentary - Backstage Pass
Making Of - The making of the "Suicide Messiah" promo video
Music Videos - Promo vids
Black Label Society are also preparing to release their new album, "Shot To Hell", due September 12th through Roadrunner. Two songs from the up-coming offering, "Concrete Jungle" and "Black Mass Reverends" are available for streaming here. The cover artwork for "Shot To Hell" is viewable at this location.
Watch A Live Video Of Suicide Messiah Online
A full-length video clip of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY performing the song "Suicide Messiah" live in Paris, France in 2005 has been posted online at this location. As previously reported, a video of BLS playing "In This River" during the same concert can be viewed here. Both clips come off BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new live DVD, "The European Invasion – Doom Troopin'", due on August 22 via Eagle Vision.
Pre-Order The New Black Label Society
Calling all Chapters!
Here is your chance to pre-order the new BLS album and be the first Berzerker on your block to own Shot To Hell.
You can also be the first one to own the brand new BLS "Shot To Hell" shirt. You'll be representin' in style when you listen to "Concrete Jungle" the first single from Shot To Hell.
And everyone who pre-orders Shot To Hell will be entered to win a chance to be "Roadie for a Day with BLS". One lucky winner will be part of the "Doom Crew" for a day on Black Label Society's fall tour. Check out the details, click HERE.
Column
This Week In Metal - August 17th, 2006
A new top album ? Its true, this week Strapping Young Lad takes over the top spot from Shadows Fall. Both of these bands are very deserving, but we crown our second #1 in as many weeks. Last weeks top 7 managed to stay on the chart, but jump around a little bit. While we have 3 brand new albums debuting this week, with one going as high as #6 in Voivod's Katorz. This is quite possibly the best album these guys have released and they are finally getting the notority they deserve. Not far behind them in the new releases is Unearths' III: The Eyes Of Fire, which is amazing considering it hasnt been released in alot of areas yet but the pre-orders are astounding. I see a #1 in the future for these guys, but who can knock off the consistancy SYL is showing. All That Remains also leapfrogged The Shads into the #2 slot and the big jumper was Between The Buried And Me gaining three slots, which is hard to do considering the company they are in. Meanwhile, Cellador dropped from 8th to 11th. Acacia Strain from 9th to 14th and BYD to 12th. New albums already making a storm up the charts are Slayers "Christ Illusion" with pre-ordering alone landing it inside the top 20. Hatebreed's Supremecy is also showing strong and will reach the top 10 next week. Also in responding to the comments I am considering making this, and the singles list a top 15. If you think its a good idea please respond so, or if thats too much tell me to keep it at 10. \m/.
| Rank | L/W | Band | Album | Weeks | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | SYL | The New Black | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | All That Remains | The Fall of Ideas | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 1 | Shadows Fall | Fallout From The War | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | 7 | BTBAM | The Anatomy Of | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | 4 | Dragonforce | Imhuman Rampage | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | - | Voivod | Katorz | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | - | Unearth | III: The Eyes of Fire | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | 6 | Stone Sour | Come What(ever) May | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | 5 | Cattle Decapitation | Karma.Bloody.Karma | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | - | Human Abstract | Nocturne | 1 | 10 |
Now for the singles, with a very familiar band to anyone who visits this site, taking over as #1. Lamb of God also stays strong moving up 1 to #2. Shadows Fall and Stone Sour round out the top 4 with a big jumper for the week Celtic Frost's Ground moving up to number 5. Threat Signal holds strong and then we get to three really strong debuts by 3 really strong bands. SYL's new ozzfest anthem boasts the #9 spot as a highlight of the new songs. Roudning out the top 10 is BLS with Concrete Jungle.
| Rank | L/W | Band | Song | Weeks | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Slayer | Cult | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | Lamb of God | Redneck | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 1 | Shadows Fall | Will To Rebuild | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | 2 | Stone Sour | 30-30/150 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 8 | Celtic Frost | Ground | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | Threat Signal | Rational Eyes | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | * | Unearth | The Glorious Nightmare | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | * | Terror | Strike You Down | 1 | 8 |
| 9 | * | Strapping Young Lad | You Suck | 1 | 9 |
| 10 | 9 | Black Label Society | Concrete Jungle | 2 | 9 |
Column
This Week In Metal - August 10th, 2006
Welcome to the return of This Week In Metal, a column I used to do before I was forced to take a hiatus from metalunderground.com. In this weekly column, we will update the top 10 selling albums in the metal industry (courtesy of CMJ) and the top 10 radio singles (pulled from Music Match). They use a number of sources for the list, including all satellite radio. While you may find a few bands that are too soft for the list, I assure you there will be more then enough surprises. Feel free to comment on the list and who you think is over/under-rated, what bands you expected to see and which ones you didn't. Again this column will run weekly, so be sure to check for it every Thursday in the columns area of MetalUnderground.com.
Now for the music, we will start each week with the albums. It's a good mix of what bands are bursting the underground, and some bands that have been killing for quite a while now.
| Rank | Band | Album | Weeks | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadows Fall | Fallout From The War | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | SYL | The New Black | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | All That Remains | The Fall Of Ideas | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Dragonforce | Inhuman Range | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Cattle Decapitation | Karma.Bloody.Karma | 1 | 5 |
| 6 | Stone Sour | Come What(ever) May | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | BTBAM | The Anatomy Of | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | Cellador | Enter Deception | 1 | 8 |
| 9 | The Acacia Strain | Dead Walk | 1 | 9 |
| 10 | Bury Your Dead | Beauty And The Breakdown | 1 | 10 |
Now for the tunes. These singles are a real who's who amongst metal right now. I find the list to be powerful and only really have one flaw. Keep in mind some songs have been out longer then others and have picked up a good fanbase on the radio, other songs have just come out and are sure to see their time at the top.
| Rank | Band | Song | Weeks | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadows Fall | Will To Rebuild | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Stone Sour | 3030/150 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | Lamb of God | Redneck | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | BTBAM | Malpractice | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | All That Remains | This Calling | 1 | 5 |
| 6 | Slayer | Cult | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | Threat Signal | Rational Eyes | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | Celtic Frost | Ground. | 1 | 8 |
| 9 | Black Label Society | Concrete Jungle | 1 | 9 |
| 10 | Hatebreed | Defeatist | 1 | 10 |
Report
Ozzfest 2006 Comes To Bristow, Virginia
Another year, another Ozzfest. After a star-studded lineup for its ten year anniversary last year, Ozzfest was faced with the challenge of putting together yet another great lineup for its eleventh year. When I went to Bristow, VA on Sunday, August 6, 2006, I was wondering just how good a lineup they managed to scrape together. I knew the bands that were playing, but the real question remained whether the main stage bands could hold their own with primarily younger, nu-metal bands on it and Ozzy closing out the second stage.
The temperatures had fortunately dropped from the 105F degree humid days of only a few days earlier, but the sky was crystal clear for most of the day and the intense sun beating down on you in the 90F degree temperatures was still enough to take a lot out of you and require constant re-hydration. More...
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