The Blessed Hellride

Black Label Society

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 22, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spitfire
• ASIN: B00008V600
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,507 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Blessed Hellride finds former Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde playing all instruments bar the drums, yet retaining an intensity that Osbourne has sadly lacked for some years. Combining the bludgeoning heaviness of Black Sabbath, the Southern flavor of the Allman Brothers, and the flashy pyrotechnics of Eddie Van Halen, Wylde delivers crushing riffs and head-spinning solos throughout such highlights as the grand "Blackened Waters," the stomping "Suffering Overdue," and "Stillborn," a pained lament for dead love that features Osbourne. Wylde owes such a debut to Black Sabbath that his voice is nearly indistinguishable from Ozzy's, and he lacks subtlety, as evinced by the clattering percussion that invades the otherwise melancholic closer "Dead Meadow". Even so, this is a cut above the heavy-rock norm. --Dominic Wills

Product Description
The premier rock guitarist of our generation and his Black Label Society cohorts have raised the bar once again with The Blessed Hellride, a triumphant album of uncompromising vision and undeniable virtuosity that brings a much needed dose of guitar fueled mastery to the national stage. 11 tracks featuring 'Stillborn' (w/special guest vocalist Ozzy Osbourne) & 'We Live No More'. Spitfire. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Multifaceted Album, Showcasing Zakk's Versatility., April 29, 2003

By	Jon - See all my reviews

This album, is set to put Zakk on the charts.

Zakk Wylde, originally known as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist, has come into his own in the past 10 years, showing amazing musicianship, unrestrained dedication, and unbridled talent, in his post-Ozzy ventures. Starting with his Southern Rock influenced "Pride and Glory" album, through his piano-driven "Book of Shadows" album, and his more recent band "Black Label Society", Zakk has shown both physical and mental versatility, and inventiveness, playing every instrument on his albums, besides the drums, (including piano and banjo) and pushing the limit of guitar riffs, solo-work, and fearlessness. His intensity and dedication was further exemplified in the most recent Ozzfest tour, playing sets with both Ozzy Osbourne, and his band (Black Label Society). Keeping true metal alive, Zakk has retained a stubborn, and unchanging, yet admirable, no-nonsense, and above all, down to earth attitude throughout.

Specifically, on his new Album, "The Blessed Hellride", the listener gets to hear all sides of Zakk's musical talent, with such softer tracks as "Dead Meadow" or the Title Track"The Blessed Hellride", brutal, driving tracks, such as "Doomsday Jesus", downright catchy (don't call it radio friendly!) tracks like "Stillborn" (which features a special guest vocalist), and tracks that reflect his previous experience with Ozzy, such as "Destruction Overdrive". The only track that I would consider weak (only in comparison to the others), is "Doomsday Jesus"... however, every time I listen to it, it sounds better. Overall, Zakk's voice sounds much more refined (even Ozzy-esque), featuring more of a range than on his other albums, and the sound quality is seemingly higher on the music backing him up.

A fantastic album to pop in while taking a long drive, it's faster tracks provide an extremely rousing beat that will keep you awake, and get the blood-pumping. Also very good for alone-time, it's softer tracks are soothing, though they manage to keep one's attention, and draw a person into the sound, rather than lulling one to sleep. Simply amazing work.

Overall, whether you are a fan of Zakk, or someone who's never heard of the guy, the album provides so much diversity, and raw talent, that it cannot be ignored, and is one of his best albums to date. Don't miss this one. The only disappointment is that it eventually ends.

-UnforgivenSDMF
(BLS Street Team, NY Chapter).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Berserkers and SDMF'ers can celebrate, April 22, 2003

By	Matt Rector (Hixson, TN United States) - See all my reviews

I started listening to Zakk about 2 years ago, and I can't put his stuff down. Hes really gone through an evolution of sorts with Pride and Glory, Book of Shadows, etc. Black Label has become the ultimate answer to what people really wanna hear from musicians, not stuff thats designed to sell records.

The Blessed Hellride carries on the tradition, but in a whole new way. It is by far Zakk's most diverse album as far as styles go. He opens it up with Stoned and Drunk, a classic-style hardcore rock anthem, and by the end puts you out with the slow and creepy Dead Meadow (piano included).

Standout tracks include: Doomsday Jesus, a revisit to 1919 days, as well as Suffering Overdue, which displays Zakk's low-tune tradition. Blackened Waters is a slower, ballad-type song with a killer solo, while the title track is the only acoustic song (still extremely awesome).

In closing, if you want a CD that has ripping, intricate guitar work, get this CD. If you want deep, well-written songs, get it. If you like Skulls, Rotweillers, and Chains, Get out there and buy it.

BASICALLY, BUY IT!!!!! SDMF FOR LIFE

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All good all the time, June 5, 2003

By	Brendon Cheves (Laguna Beach, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

All I want is hard and heavy music. There are very few bands that deliver anymore. But, I can always count on Zakk! If only a few more bands would follow his lead...