Artemis 2005

Mafia is the latest batch of fresh and untamed songs from metal guitarist Zakk Wylde, and his band, Black Label Society. Zakk has had it going on for some time now, and sustains the amazing ability to rattle off songs like there's no tomorrow. Don't be fooled, though, as he knows what he's doing. Metal doesn't come any better than this, and his guitar extravaganzas, as usual, are ingenious and brilliant throughout.

Within the thunderous chords and fiery leads of 'Fire It Up', and the melodic vocal lines and toxic whammy shredding of 'Suicide Messiah', it's easily understood why he's the hottest guitar player on the metal scene today. Additionally, the eerie mixture of Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell, and Ozzy Osbourne vocal phrasing has had as much to do with this success as his exceptional guitar playing.

The band's soft side is exposed ever so intermittently, as in the piano intro to 'Forever Down' and in 'In This River'. The latter is a ballad easily deemed a tribute to longtime friend and cohort, 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott, even though it was written before his death. It's heartrending and poignant, yet perfect in implementation. (For those who haven't seen the MTV video of the song, the friends are portrayed as youngsters, riding their bikes to a river's edge. Once there, they dive into the water and commence to swim to the other side. Though the young Wylde makes it all the way, Darrell does not. Zakk describes the scenario as a metaphor for life and death in general.)

'Dr. Octavia', a guitar solo half as long as 'Eruption', exposes his Van Halen influence. It's actually very good, and the guitar tone is right on. Though 'Electric Hellfire' is a Zakk tune, it opens with dialogue reminiscent of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown's 'Fire'. Add in Zakk's electricity, and it enters into the wild world of Zakk Wylde. Anyone familiar with his artistry knows what an exceptional acoustic player he is as well. 'Dirt On The Grave' not only features a Cry Baby pedal utilized to the fullest, but displays his above average acoustic ability once again. And whatever you do, don't dismiss the untitled closer as irrelevant, as Zakk's playing is smooth and graceful throughout it.

Whether some people take the death metal/heavy metal movement serious or not, as its content is often the same as watching a horror movie, or acting out nightmare themes onstage, Zakk Wylde's guitar playing and vocal ability are a perfect example of just how real and serious the genre actually is, especially when it comes to authentic talent and musician prowess. Zakk Wylde gets better and better. Mafia is a tight and credible release.

Though James LoMenzo is the bass player of record on the CD, Black Label Society has since replaced him with former group member, John 'JD' DeServio. At the time of the making of Mafia, Black label Society was:

Zakk Wylde: guitars, vocals, bass, and piano
Nick 'ET' Catanese: guitar (touring band)
James LoMenzo: bass
Craig Nunemacher: drums

Added keyboards: Barry 'Lord' Conley, Eddie Mapp

Mafia Track Listing

1. Fire It Up

2. What's In You

3. Suicide Messiah

4. Forever Down

5. In The River

6. You Must Be Blind

7. Death March

8. Dr. Octavia

9. Say What You Will

10. Too Tough To Die

11. Electric Hellfire

12. Spread Your Wings

13. Been A Long Time

14. Dirt On The Grave

15. Untitled

All songs composed by Zakk Wylde
Executive Producer: Zakk Wylde
Associate Producer: Barry Conley
Mixed by: Eddie Mapp and Barry Conley

Artemis Records: March 2005

For tour dates, consult the BLS website below.

Links

Mafia on Amazon.com
Zakk Wylde
Artemis Records
Black Label Society