Sonic Brew [Japan Import] [CD]

Black Label Society (Author), Zakk Wylde (Author)

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Original Release Date: 1998
• Format: CD
• ASIN: B000NZIP5E
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,473 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
1998, Mercury records Japan. PHCR-81. Total of 13 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning of BLS, June 2, 2009

By	Markus Pacal (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Zakk Wylde, Ozzy's lead guitarist, put out a southern-rock record under the moniker Pride & Glory in the mid-'90s & then issued a solo album called "Book of Shadows." But it wasn't until he formed Black Label Society (BLS), that he really hit his stride.

This Japanese release by Mercury Records back in 1998 is truly the beginning of this mad-man's BLS project. It even features the original cover artwork. They had to change it soon after after receiving a legal cease & desist letter from Johnnie Walker, Inc. Cease & desist? How about an endorsement? The higher-ups at that company sure missed the boat considering how much Zakk & Co. drink on a daily basis!

BLS's sound is quite simple. It's equal parts Black Sabbath & Lynyrd Skynyrd. Heavy, heavy riffs with Wylde's swampy southernesque, Jersey-boy vocals. And there's usually at least one or two instrumentals and/or acoustic numbers tossed in among the heavy metal tracks. This import release has 13 tracks & the production/mix is over-the-top heavy. The bass is so distorted & up-front in the mix that you wonder if it was done on purpose or not. But BLS were out to take a stand & make a stand. They wanted to annihilate the No Doubt & Bush's of the world with their scorched earth assault. And they succeeded. The best songs are "Bored to Tears," "Born to Lose" & "Spoke in the Wheel." However, they're all good & Zakk shows of his musicianship with the speed-ball that is "T.A.Z." Fans of Ozzy will love this. Fans of Black Sabbath will love this. Fans of G N' R will love this. In fact, fans of all hard-rock/metal/southern-rock, etc. will be thrilled to have a new band to follow. Considering it's now 11 years later, Zakk shows absolutely no signs of slowing down & he's put out 10 discs under the BLS name. So get on this train & hold on tight. You know Zakk's got the energy to play straight through the night.