The Blessed Hellride is the fourth studio album from Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society. Zakk worked to get this album cranked out before Ozzfest 㤋(Black Label Society, with the exception of the first and maybe second Ozzfest, always opens the main stage at Ozzfest.)

Who is Zakk Wylde?
Shame on you! Zakk Wylde is the mammoth axe slinger to Ozzy’s left. Zakk started his career as Ozzy’s guitarist(㥠 No Rest for the Wicked-㤉 Down to Earth) but has developed a credible side project as well.

What’s so special about him?
Zakk is hands down the best heavy metal guitarist along with Dimebag of Pantera. Zakk writes the hardest riffs with the best heavy metal solos, while also cranking out some excellent piano/acoustic arrangements with impressive, distinct vocals. These characteristics are all supported by Zakk’s dedicated fan base.

Fourth album, what about the first 3
Zakk’s the first of those three albums actually weren’t his first solo adventures. Pride and Glory(a country Black Label Society album) was Zakk’s first solo outing. It was followed by Book of Shadows(Black Label Society acoustic album). After these two albums Zakk released a critically acclaimed Black Label Society debut Sonic Brew. It featured intense riff based heavy metal topped off with excellent lyrics and solos that metal heads had never heard before, except in the background of Ozzy records. Zakk then cranked out Stronger than Death which stepped up the intensity and featured no acoustic tracks as “Sonic Brew” did. The album featured a straight away, all out riff blast. The live album that followed showcased the unbelievable live sound that fans had been hearing about from people returning from Ozzfest. The two disc live album, with the second disc featuring covered acoustic tracks from distinguished artists of the 70’s, showcased the precision to which Zakk can pull of his show live. The disc also featured Zakk’s hatred for those that attempt to poison rock n’ roll, mainly Limp Bizkit. We you dissed by the best guitarist in the world who also happens to be the size of a doorway, you sit back and take it. This “diss” was about the time of Wes Borland’s departure, coincidence, I think not. Next Zakk armed himself with the heaviest album since Pantera “Great Southern Trendkill”, entitled 1919 Eternal. The record was a heavy metal assault, featuring some of Zakk’s best riffs to date.

So what about #4
The album starts, as any southern heavy metal masterpiece should, with a song about being Drunk and Stoned. The slow intro jumps quickly into a speed metal riff with Zakk’s distinct growl, over a riff so fast, one can barely tell where the notes change. Classis BLS yet like nothing we’ve heard from Zakk yet, and not easily associated with any of the first 3 albums. It’s no shock that the song contains a supreme heavy metal solo. In order to keep the review from containing the same line over and over again, please understand that the previously line will be understood for all remaining songs.

We Live no More has the BLS distorted guitar sound, but contains a riff that’s more modern hard rock than metal. Zakk’s vocals are evolving to sound momre and more like a protégé of Ozzy’s with each passing album. Another track that expands on Zakk’s sound.

Dead Meadow starts off with a nice slow piano piece, before including a nice Pink Floyd like drum rhythm and slide guitar. Zakk’s growl has now soothed into characteristic southern rock vocals, very close to what a modern Skynyrd would sound like.

Doomsday Jesus is the first track the lies along the path that Zakk’s music was headed after ? Eternal” howling vocals and pinch harmonic bends that sound like the guitar is screaming, all mixed with gritty, heavy metal riffs that come across as grunge meets southern metal. A solo so great that is has to be mentioned. Awesome.

For the single, Zakk snatched his bandmate and rock n’ roll legend Ozzy Osbourne to help with vocals, on Stillborn. Two of metals biggest icons singing together, it’s worth the price of admission. The song has an electric guitar effect over the riff that sounds great, with Zakk top of the line riff work on the chorus. Best solos on the album.

Suffering Overdue keeps the flow of “Doomsday Jesus” flowing with another grunge meets southern metal riff and vocals that would bring a tear to Phil Anselmo’s eye. Great slow heavy track with Zakk growling away.

The albums title track The Blessed Hellride, from title alone would lead one to assume the speakers were about to be blown through the walls, but the contrary is true, the song kicks off with an acoustic guitar, and has a nice country meets southern rock sound. The drums are banging away over the acoustics giving the song an interesting and unique feel unlike no other BLS track. The track features a solo that will have you questioning what some band’s mean when they list a band member as a lead guitarist.

Where the previous title mislead you from the songs actual sound, Funeral Bell brings the tracks name and sound together. The track bangs away with a catchy riff and howling chorus vocals over a hard chord progression and lots of harmonic pinch work.

Final Solution sounds like a “Sonic Brew” outtake. The song features a early Zakk vocal sound and the hard, true, deep riffs reminiscent of early BLS material, with a hint of the newer heavy sound.

Destruction Overdrive features a speedy heavy metal sound with clearer vocals than Zakk normally gives you on his heavier tracks, although underneath its still his characteristic growl, that comes through all the way on the palm-muted, harmonic laced chorus.

Blackened Waters closes the album out with a soft, slow sound as most BLS albums do. Classic BLS sound with excellent vocals that get grittier as the track progresses, and riffage that gets nastier as the track progresses to the chorus. The solo has that concert pinnacle type sound, where the guitarist is soloing with the spotlight over him and all else in darkness. Incredible.

To no ones surprise, this album rocks right along with the previous 3 albums, while still establishing a BLS movement toward what is southern heavy metal. If you dig Ozzy, metal, and true hard rock n’ roll(not to mention some on the best solos in the business) this album, as well as the previous 3, are all for you. A unique sound that can only be classified as Southern Grunge.


Recommended: Yes