Black label Society - Catacombs of the black Vatican

(CD Album Review)

***1/2

Does the new Black label Society album live up to the hype!!!

This is the Black label Society album everyone has been waiting for and it has gone through several track listing and artwork changes, but what we all wanted to know was it going to live up to expectations. From the opening track 'Fields of Unforgiveness' Zakk tries to take his place as a frontman and vocalist and not only a fantastic guitarist known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne. You have to remember Zakk wrote a lot of hits for the Black Sabbath frontman including the major hit 'No more Tears'. Zakk who had dabbled earlier on his career with various bands including Pride and Glory has really gotten now established with his band Black label Society who's Metal / Pantera Esq. sound are starting to make them a household name.

On the second track on the album 'My dying Time' (Which you can see the video for at the bottom of the page) you can hear resemblance to bands such as Alice in Chains and even Stone temple Pilots. These track has a chugging a long riff which backs up Zakk Wylde's haunting Esq. vocals to perfection. I do think it sounds to much like previous released material in places and if it was not for the amazing guitar solo would be quite ordinary. I wouldn't say I don't like this track but it's more background music... than say other tracks by the band, Where you want crank your stereo up to eleven and rock out. 'Believe' explores Country and Blues elements and shows that Black label Society are still in love with the Southern sound and might have been listening to a few to many Down records. Listening to Down is not always a bad things because I actually really like this track and I think I will find myself putting this on while I do work or chill out on the computer.

The next track is a slow acoustic number called 'Angel of Mercy' which shows Black label Society's versatility and emotional side. This love song is very commercial and would make a good single. It's almost sounds like Soft Rock of the 90's and is a real surprise to come from Black label. Zakk shows that he can sing different genres and shows how he has grown throughout the years. Even Bon Jovi could have wrote this songs so wave your lighters in the air to this one and do not miss the playing your guitar on the top of a hill guitar solo near the end. They get back on track with 'Heart of Darkness' which is a track that would have been perfect for Ozzy to record and is one of the stand out tracks on the album. You will see what I mean when you listen to it.

This doesn't really sound like a song that was written for Black label Society and maybe shows his wanting to work with Ozzy Osbourne again. I love the Stoner Esq. track 'Beyond the Down', and I think the title says it all!!! Yes this could have been a Down song with a Black label Society twist. 'Scars' is another ballad like 'Angel of Mercy' and kind of continues along the same line so go back to what I said before about that one above. Yes again they bring back up the tempo and if 'Damn the Flood' wasn't so amazing you would think they are repeating themselves a bit.

This song has an awesome killer riff and is the best track on the album, I do wonder why they put it so late on in the album and I am not sure everyone will get to listen to it. This is a definite single and shows the band off at their best. Also 'I've gone Away' for me is a very strong track, it does sound like songs you have heard before but sometimes you need a touch of the old with the new and what better way to do it than with a storming heavy riff, haunting vocal track like this one. This also has a great melody and chorus that you could find yourself easierly singing.

The last two tracks for me 'Empty Promises' and 'Shades of Grey' fall a little short with the last one being a very slow ballad that I have to be honest would skip. It sounds more like a B-Side on a single that is just their as an added extra. This is a good album but not one I would run out and buy! but it's worth picking up for a few of the out standing tracks like 'Damn the Flood, Byond the Down' and 'I've gone Away' so if your a fan of Black label Society, Down or Ozzy Osbourne this is an album worth your time.

Review by Dan Devour