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Black Label Society

From Alfawiki
Black Label Society
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
PredecessorPride & Glory
FoundedMay 1, 1998; 28 years ago (1998-05-01) in Los Angeles, California, United States
FounderZakk Wylde
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Zakk Wylde (founder, lead vocals, guitar)
ProductsStudio albums, live albums, compilation albums, EPs, video releases
Number of employees
4 (current lineup) (2021)
Websiteblacklabelsociety.com

Black Label Society is a heavy metal and southern metal group from the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1998 by guitarist and lead vocalist Zakk Wylde. The ensemble has produced eleven studio albums, two live recordings, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video releases.

History

Formation and Sonic Brew era (1998–1999)

During the early 1990s, Wylde created his solo outfit Pride & Glory, which fused blues-influenced Southern rock with heavy metal elements. Following their breakup in 1994 and Wylde’s acoustic solo release Book of Shadows in 1996, he teamed up with drummer Phil Ondich to record Black Label Society’s first album, Sonic Brew, in May 1998. Rather than continuing as a solo venture, they formed a stable band lineup by adding second guitarist Nick Catanese and bassist John DeServio for touring purposes.

Sonic Brew initially launched in Japan on October 28, 1998; however, its worldwide release was postponed until May 4, 1999, due to contractual arrangements with Spitfire Records.

Lineup shifts and album releases (1999–2007)

The follow-up album, Stronger Than Death (2000), introduced Steve Gibb as the new bassist, replacing DeServio. In July 2000, Craig Nunenmacher succeeded Ondich on drums and made his debut on the live album Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live +5. The 2002 album 1919 Eternal, dedicated to Wylde’s father, featured temporary bassists: Mike Inez during the 2001 Ozzfest tour and Robert Trujillo in 2002.

After Trujillo joined Metallica in 2003, Inez briefly resumed bass duties during the tour supporting The Blessed Hellride. In 2004, James LoMenzo became the bassist following the release of Hangover Music Vol. VI, which was Black Label Society’s final album under Spitfire Records.

Wylde performed all instruments except drums on the initial four studio albums, handling vocals, guitars, piano, and bass parts himself.

After signing with Artemis Records, the band issued Mafia in 2005. LoMenzo left in October to join Megadeth, prompting the return of original bassist DeServio. The group transitioned to Roadrunner Records in 2006 and released Shot to Hell. Black Label Society ended their association with Roadrunner Records by June 2007.

Side projects and personnel updates (2007–present)

In July 2007, while Wylde toured with Ozzy Osbourne, members DeServio and Catanese pursued separate projects. Drummer Craig Nunenmacher departed in February 2010 and was replaced by Will Hunt (known for work with Dark New Day and Evanescence), who made his live debut on July 24, 2010, at London’s High Voltage Festival.

On August 10, 2010, the band unveiled their eighth studio effort, Order of the Black, which peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 chart.

The subsequent Black Label Berzerkus tour in 2011 supported this release and included main acts Children of Bodom and Clutch, with opening performances by 2cents. In March of that year, Hunt left to record with Evanescence; he was temporarily replaced by Danzig drummer Johnny Kelly, before Mike Froedge (formerly of doubleDrive and Speed X) joined in May.

On May 3, 2011, Black Label Society issued a compilation titled The Song Remains Not the Same through Entertainment One Music. This collection contains acoustic renditions and additional tracks from the Order of the Black sessions curated by Wylde as an homage to Led Zeppelin.

Wylde announced on September 14, 2011, that Breaking Benjamin's drummer Chad Szeliga would be joining as the new percussionist.

An acoustic DVD named Unblackened was recorded during a performance at Club Nokia on March 6, 2013.

On May 3, 2013, Black Label Society participated in that year’s Gigantour alongside bands such as Megadeth, Device, Hellyeah, Newsted, and Death Division.

In August 2013, Wylde began composing material for a new studio album scheduled for release in 2014. On October 28 of that year, they published a music video covering Bill Withers’ "Ain't No Sunshine". On December 2, Nick Catanese amicably exited the group.

On January 1, 2014, Wylde revealed that Dario Lorina (formerly of Lizzy Borden) would replace Catanese; Lorina’s live debut occurred on April 16 in Seattle.

Their ninth studio album titled Catacombs of the Black Vatican was released on April 8, 2014, entering at number five on the Billboard 200 chart. This record marked drummer Szeliga’s sole contribution with the band.

On October 2, 2017, they released "Room of Nightmares" along with an announcement for their upcoming album Grimmest Hits, set for January 19, 2018. Another track from this album named "All That Once Shined" followed on November 20.

On November 29, 2019, Black Label Society issued a vinyl-exclusive EP called Nuns and Roaches, featuring six tracks originally recorded back in 1999.

Their eleventh studio album titled Doom Crew Inc. was released on November 26, 2021. The lead single "Set You Free" was honored by Loudwire as the twenty-second best metal song of that year.

Band members

Current lineup
  • Zakk Wylde – lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals, piano, bass
  • John DeServio – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Dario Lorina – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Fabb – drums
Touring musicians
Past members

Timeline

Discography

Studio releases

Tours

  • 2011: The Black Label Berzerkus Tour launched in Birmingham, England and concluded in Cologne, Germany, featuring Godsized. Scheduled dates in Asia and Latin America were postponed and rearranged. The European segment included prominent festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Hellfest.
  • 2011: The Uranium Tour spanned North America with support from All That Remains and Rev Theory, incorporating substitute acts for canceled openers. Festival stops included Rocklahoma, 93XFest, Kansas City Rockfest, and Rock on the Range.
  • 2011: Between October and December, the band opened for Judas Priest on their North American leg of the Epitaph World Tour, alongside Thin Lizzy.
  • 2014: From April to June, the North American Revolver Golden Gods Package Tour featured performances with Butcher Babies, Devil You Know, later joined by Down.
  • 2014: The Catacombs of the Black Vatican tour's European and North American phases combined club shows and festivals with support from Wovenwar and Kyng, followed by Latin American dates in August.
  • 2014–2015: Continued touring across North America with Hatebreed and Butcher Babies, then proceeded to Europe for shows with Black Tusk and Crobot.
  • 2015: The North American Unblackened tour included collaboration with Wino, succeeded by a worldwide festival circuit encompassing Ozzfiesta Mexico, European performances, opening slots for Ozzy Osbourne, plus appearances at Food Truck and Rock Carnival and Ozzfest Japan.
  • 2015: The band toured Australia and New Zealand as part of the Catacombs of the Black Vatican cycle before closing the year with the Doom Trooping Into 2016 North American tour featuring support from Huntress and The Shrine.
  • 2018: The North American leg of The Grimmest Show on Earth tour with Corrosion of Conformity experienced cancellations due to health concerns but resumed with substitute dates including support from Eyehategod. The European leg commenced in Moscow following an initial cancellation and concluded in Belfast owing to high demand.

External links

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