Artist: Black Label Society
Label: Spitfire Records
Release Date: 4/18/00
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Title: Stronger Than Death Artist: Black Label Society Label: Spitfire Records Release Date: 4/18/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Zakk Wylde returns with the Black Label Society's second album. I must admit that, while I've always respected him as a guitarist, my personal interest in him began to wane after I heard the less metal route he had taken with Pride & Glory. I actually like that album, but, let's be honest, it wasn't all that heavy. It just seemed he loved that southern rock thing more than the metal thing, so I thought, "Hell, more power to him." And figured I wouldn't be listening to much from him anymore. Upon listening to the opening riff on the album (a riff that reminds me of Metallica's version of "Breadfan") I realized that this was a true metal album, and it is from start to finish.
If you liked the thick, down-tuned, artificial harmonic laden riffs that were his signature sound during his time with Ozzy, you are really going to like this album. Basically, this record can compete with the best of the southern metal out today, and I will feel no shame in naming this band in the same breath as Down. Mr. Wylde, as always, has gotten amazing sounds out of his axe. His ability to remain bottom heavy and thick while still exhibiting the intricacies of his work is awesome. One of my early favorites, "Superterrorizer," combines a killer riff with amazing harmonic wall of sound that shows me that not only does he listen to Skynyrd, but that he's also heard the song "Nothing from Not" by Morbid Angel.
"This record can compete with the best of the southern metal out today." He can also mix it up. "Rust" is a southern, bluesy thing that is more along the lines of what I expected from this album. But it is a very good song, bringing out some emotion in Zakk's voice, making it powerful rather than a throwaway. And his voice, while not being anything extremely impressive, is more than adequate, and doesn't take away from anything. Basically what I'm saying is, the vocals are just what they should be.
The only weak part of the album is that sometimes the emotion seems to leave in the solos. Most of the solos contribute greatly to the songs, but, on rare occasion, seem to sound like he's trying to impress us rather than compose a truly complete song. But that's really the only weak part. Not every song on this album stands out, but none take away anything either. A complete, quality metal record.
"A complete, quality metal record."
Death's Review:
Sure, I'm an Ozzy fan, and I bought the Zakk Wylde albums back in the day. In fact, I always thought he was a pretty killer guitarist, and I appreciated his unique sense of tone, his liberal use of pick harmonics and squeals, and his blistering solo capabilities. But when he left Mr. Osbourne's tutelage and ventured out on his own with Pride & Glory and/or Black Label Society, I was less than enthused, and did not come along for the ride. Rightly or wrongly, perhaps because of something I read or because of the name alone, I pictured Black Label Society as some kind of whisky-drinking, southern tinged, Lynyrd Skynard wannabe, southern-fried rock outfit. And not in the cool Down or C.O.C. way either. I figured Zakk was bailing on the metal thing to find his rock and roll roots, and I just plain wasn't interested.
Was I right with respect to the early albums? Who knows, I've still never heard 'em. But as we were kicking around possible candidates for Metal Judgment review this week (Jag Panzer, Kataklysm, Shovelbarn, Raise Hell, Crowbar, Sinner, King's X, Venom, Mayhem, Nasum, Luddite Clone and others were possible candidates, and some of these will still get done in the coming weeks along side new records from Iron Maiden, In Flames, King Diamond and Stuck Mojo - man, it's a good time for metal!), Black Label Society was the least likely candidate to garner my vote. But, a generally well-informed friend asked that we give it a spin, and my reaction was one of pure shock: I absolutely love this record.
"I absolutely love this record."
How to describe it? Stronger than Death is a post-grunge metal masterpiece, sounding like a much heavier and infinitely more metal Creed or Godsmack meets Alice in Chains, crossed with the aforementioned Down or C.O.C., only with totally heavy Zakk Wylde trademark downtuned guitar riffing and squeals. Picture the main riffs to "No More Tears" and you'll have an idea of the guitar sound which appears throughout this record. Wylde's guitar playing absolutely rips, one of the best performances of 2000. He also sings and plays bass, and his voice is nothing short of excellent, overshadowed only by the incredibly emotive leads. Tracks like "All for You" and "Phoney Smiles & Fake Hellos" chug along with total metallic intensity, while mellower tunes like "Rust" (or my favorite, "Just Killing Time") display a lonely soulfulness not unlike that ever-present Everlast tune from a couple of years back, yet with an insane guitar solo flourish and ten times more soul. Finally, songs like "Ain't Life Grand" or the title track "Stronger than Death" deliver killer metal within accessible songwriting like few other records have this year. This is a versatile album, to say the least, yet the usual price of versatility (the scattered throwaway track) need not be paid here. All ten tracks are worthy of your attention.
"If there is any justice in the world it should receive significant attention." Once the proverbial "word" gets out on this one, if there is any justice in the world it should receive significant attention.
Hel's Review:
I admit that I was reluctant to do this album. I have never really been too into Zakk Wylde's shit. Even when he was with Ozzy, I thought that, while he is admittedly a great guitar player, he always had an air about him that I disliked. Anything he did non-Ozzy-related, I really didn't pay any attention to. At one point, I remember that I had the thought that it was pretty pompous that the name of his band was "Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society" but other than that, I had formed no opinion. Then, about a year ago, I started listening to HardRadio at work, and over and over and over again, they played something from Black Label Society. That was it, nail in the coffin, I began to actively dislike Zakk and his project.
So when presented with this disc, I wrinkled my nose in disgust. The two, not one, but two press photos of Zakk posing solo did not improve my opinion any. After listening to Stronger than Death a couple times, I find that while I don't dislike it nearly as much as I expected, I'm sure not hopping up and down. Think guitar god meets southern influenced stoner rock. Maybe it can be described as being along the lines of C.O.C. meets Pantera (no, not Down, Phil's vocals were way cooler.) I will never dispute the fact that Zakk is a great guitar player. It is the other qualities of Black Label Society that impact my decision, and I find it difficult to decide if I would like this album more if my personal prejudices were put aside. The beautiful thing about this website, however, is that I don't have to.
"That was it, nail in the coffin, I began to actively dislike Zakk and his project."
Most of the time, you will find me to be the calm, objective, all-that-is-metal-loving member of the Judgment Committee. I struggled with myself, trying to be that calm, objective reviewer. But then the Metal side of me spoke up and said, fuck it! Why do I always have to be the neutral one? Then I think about the vocals with that whiny country boy quality they have. As you may already know, the vocals are generally the deciding factor for me, and Zakk's vocals are definitely not tipping the scales in his favor. For all of his guitar proficiency, Zakk fails to put out an album that makes me significantly revise my opinion. In the end, I can't stop myself from being slightly charitable, but if we did 1/2 skulls perhaps he wouldn't be faring so well...
"I'm sure not hopping up and down."
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