Black Label Society - Grimmest Hits (2018)

Hey Black Label Society fans, it’s been several years since BLS has released a new album, 2014 to be exact, well don’t despair, a new Black Label Society album titled, ‘Grimmest Hits’, will drop. Don’t be fooled by the title of the album, this is not a greatest hits album with a couple new songs added. Despite the confusing title, ‘Grimmest Hits’ is an album of entirely new songs. Any BLS fan knows lead vocalist/lead guitarist Zakk Wylde has been quite a busy guy with other bands Zakk Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, Wylde found time to keep working on material for another BLS album. It took some time but eventually things fell into place for Wylde to not only make an album but get the band together to tour in support of the album.

In tow with Wylde is John DeServio on bass and backing vocals. Dario Lorina on rhythm guitar and backing vocals and Jeff Fabb on drums. This band came together to create the 12 songs on ‘Grimmest Hits’. It’s a continuation of that BLS sound that fans are used to, the heavy groove laden metal with Wylde’s vocal crooning and signature guitar playing. After listening to the album through the first time, I felt like Wylde conjured up the spirit of Layne Staley on some of the songs, which was awesome, I miss Staley and those haunting vocals. Most people have gotten a taste of the album with the single “Room Of Nightmares”, which has a constant crushing and rumbling rock beat, it’s a nice introduction to give the fans and entice them on the new album.

I have to say my favorite song on this album is not a heavy rocking song but rather a mellow and sorrowful beautifully gloomy melancholy track titled “The Only Words”, this song reaches onto you and doesn’t let go until the final chord rings out. Some other songs of note are “The Day That Heaven Had Gone Away”. “Illusions Of Peace” and “Nothing Left To Say”. All which touch on either heavy grooves or tender melodies or both.