Black Label Society

Black Label Society
Black Label Society performing in 2015
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles,California,U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal hard rock southern metal groove metal biker metal
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Black Label Spitfire Artemis Roadrunner E1
Spinoffs	Pride & Glory
Members	Zakk Wylde John DeServio Dario Lorina Jeff Fabb
Past members	Phil Ondich Nick Catanese Steve Gibb Mike Inez James LoMenzo Craig Nunenmacher Will Hunt Chad Szeliga
Website	blacklabelsociety.com zakkwylde.com

Black Label Societyis an Americanheavy metalband formed in Los Angeles in 1998 by guitarist/singerZakk Wylde.To date, the band has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, oneEP,and three video albums.

History

Sonic Brewand Formation (1998–1999)

In the early 1990s, Wylde had formed his own solo bandPride & Glory,playing a mixture ofbluesySouthern rockwith heavy metal.However, they disbanded in December 1994 after having released only one album. Wylde subsequently recorded an acoustic solo album,Book of Shadows(1996). In May 1998, after limited commercial success withBook of Shadows,Wylde and drummer Phil Ondich recorded what became Black Label Society's debut albumSonic Brew.It was decided, rather than the album being another solo album for Wylde, that they would form a long term band. It was known from the start thatNick Catanesewould be retained as the second guitarist in the band (Catanese previously toured as rhythm guitarist for the Book of Shadows tour).John DeServio,who previously worked with Wylde as a temporary replacement in Pride & Glory, joined as the band's bassist for the album's tour.

Sonic Brewwas released in Japan on October 28, 1998. Due to delays in signing with a record label (Spitfire Records), the album was not released in the rest of the world until May 4, 1999.

Line-up changes and subsequent releases (1999–2007)

The band's second albumStronger Than Deathfollowed in 2000, with DeServio being replaced bySteve Gibb.Craig Nunenmacherreplaced Ondich in July 2000, with his debut recording with the band being the live albumAlcohol Fueled Brewtality Live +5.This was followed by1919 Eternal,which was dedicated to Wylde's father and was released in 2002. Steve Gibb was temporarily replaced byMike Inez(Alice In Chains) during theOzzfest2001 tour, and thenRobert Trujillotook over bass duties for the band the next year.

In 2003, Trujillo joinedMetallica,leaving the bass position in Black Label Society open, which left room for Inez to rejoin the band for a short two-week tour, supporting the band's albumThe Blessed Hellride.James LoMenzojoined the band in 2004 after the release ofHangover Music Vol. VI,which was the band's last release forSpitfire Records.

On the first four studio albums, Wylde played every instrument, except for the drums, including vocals, guitars, piano, and bass guitar.

In 2005, after the band signed withArtemis Records,the albumMafiawas released. In October, LoMenzo left the band (and joinedMegadetha few months later) and was replaced by the band's original bassist, John DeServio. In 2006, the band left Artemis Records and signed to Roadrunner Records, releasing the albumShot to Hell.

In June 2007, Black Label Society parted ways withRoadrunner Records.

Side bands and lineup changes (2007–present)

Black Label Society in 2010

In July 2007, band members DeServio and Catanese both signaled the start of new bands as Zakk Wylde toured withOzzy Osbourne.Drummer Craig Nunenmacher left the band in February 2010, and was replaced by Will Hunt (ofDark New Day,Evanescence). Hunt's first live performance with the band would be on July 24, 2010, at the first edition of theHigh Voltage Festivalin London.

On August 10, 2010,Order of the Black,their eighth studio album, was released. It reached number 4 on theBillboard200 chart.

In 2011 the band toured in support of their new album. The Black Label Berzerkus tour started in Portland, Oregon, withChildren of BodomandClutchsharing the main support slot and2centsopening.

In March 2011, Will Hunt left the band to record with Evanescence, andDanzigdrummerJohnny Kelly(formerly ofType O Negative) filled in for him for the rest of the tour, however in May 2011, Mike Froedge ofdoubleDriveand Catanese's band Speed X joined the band.

Black Label Society released the compilation albumThe Song Remains Not the Sameon May 3, 2011, viaEntertainment One Music.The offering features unplugged versions of material from the albumOrder of the Black,as well as additional material recorded during theOrder of the Blacksessions.The Song Remains Not the Samewas conceived, created and compiled by Zakk Wylde and the title is a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, Led Zeppelin.

On September 14, 2011, Wylde introducedBreaking Benjamin'sChad Szeligaas the band's new drummer.

The band performing atAllen Event Centerin Allen, Texas, in 2011

An interview withESPNannounced an acoustic DVD entitledUnblackened,in the works for 2012. The album was recorded during the Unblackened show atClub Nokiaon March 6, 2013.

On May 3, 2013, it was announced that Black Label Society would be included in the year's installment ofGigantour,along withMegadeth,Device,Hellyeah,Newsted,and upstart band Death Division.

In August 2013, Zakk Wylde stated that he would begin writing a new studio album, and it would be scheduled for a 2014 release. On October 28, they debuted a new music video, a cover ofBill Withers"Ain't No Sunshine".

It was reported on December 2, 2013, that Nick Catanese had amicably parted from the band.

On January 1, 2014, Wylde announced via Facebook thatLizzy Bordenguitarist Dario Lorina would be replacing Nick Catanese as rhythm guitarist. Lorina made his live debut with the band on April 16 inSeattle.

In 2014, Black Label Society played the main stage ofDownload Festivalon the Friday at Donington Park in the UK.

On October 2, 2017, the band released the song "Room of Nightmares", also announcing that they will be releasing their new albumGrimmest Hitson January 19, 2018. On November 20, the band released another song fromGrimmest Hitstitled "All That Once Shined".

On November 29, 2019, Black Label Society released a vinyl-only EP titledNuns and Roaches.The release features six songs originally recorded in 1999.

In August 2021, the band announced their eleventh studio album, titledDoom Crew Inc.,to be released on November 26, 2021. The album's lead single is titled "Set You Free", which was selected byLoudwireas the 22nd-best metal song of 2021.

Band members

Current members

• Zakk Wylde– lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals, piano(1998–present),bass(1998–2000)
• John DeServio– bass, backing vocals(1999, 2005–present)
• Dario Lorina – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals(2014–present)
• Jeff Fabb – drums(2012–2013, 2014–present)

Live musicians

• Robert Trujillo– bass(2001–2003)
• Johnny Kelly– drums(2011)
• Mike Froedge – drums(2011)

Former members

• Phil Ondich – drums(1998–2000)
• Nick Catanese– rhythm guitar, backing vocals(1999–2013)
• Steve Gibb– bass(2000–2001)
• Craig Nunenmacher– drums(2000–2010)
• Mike Inez– bass(2001, 2003)
• James LoMenzo– bass(2004–2005)
• Will Hunt– drums(2010–2011)
• Chad Szeliga– drums(2011–2012, 2013–2014)

Timeline

Discography

Main article:Black Label Society discography

Studio albums

• Sonic Brew(1999)
• Stronger Than Death(2000)
• 1919 Eternal(2002)
• The Blessed Hellride(2003)
• Hangover Music Vol. VI(2004)
• Mafia(2005)
• Shot to Hell(2006)
• Order of the Black(2010)
• Catacombs of the Black Vatican(2014)
• Grimmest Hits(2018)
• Doom Crew Inc.(2021)

Tours

• 2011:Black Label Berzerkus Tourstarted in February in Birmingham, England and ended Cologne, Germany in March, withGodsized.Dates in Asia at the end of March and beginning of April were cancelled. A Latin America leg in May was also cancelled, and rescheduled for August. A second leg through Europe started at theSweden Rock Festivalin June and ended at theNorway Rock Festivalin July, also stopping atGraspop Metal MeetingandHellfest.
• 2011:Uranium Tourthrough North America from May 4 to June 5, withAll That Remainson all dates in May, andRev Theoryon the four dates in June.Hail the Villainhad been scheduled to open, but cancelled, and were replaced by Hourcast and Anchored. The tour included off-dates at theRocklahoma,93XFest, Kansas City Rockfest, andRock on the Rangefestivals.
• 2011:Judas Priest'sEpitaphWorld Tourof North America from October 12 to December 3. Black Label Society were one of the opening acts, alongsideThin Lizzy.
• 2014:Revolver Golden Gods Package Tourof North America withButcher BabiesandDevil You Know,from April 16 to June 7.Downjoined the tour from May 5 in Birmingham, Alabama to May 23 in Grand Prairie, Texas.
• 2014:Catacombs of the Black VaticanEuropean Tour, first leg, of major festivals and selected club dates from June 11 to July 10.
• 2014:Catacombs of the Black VaticanNorth American Tour, first leg, withWovenwarandKyng,from July 17 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to August 4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• 2014:Catacombs of the Black VaticanLatin American Tour from August 8 to August 20.
• 2014–2015:Catacombs of the Black VaticanNorth American Tour, second leg, withHatebreedandButcher Babies,from December 28, 2014 in Spokane, Washington, to January 22, 2015 in Omaha, Nebraska.
• 2015:Catacombs of the Black VaticanEuropean Tour, second leg, withBlack TuskandCrobot,from February 11 in Glasgow, Scotland, to March 15 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• 2015:Unblackenedtour of North America withWino,from April 3 in Huntington, New York, to April 19 in Anaheim, California.
• 2015:Festival Touraround the world from May 27 at Ozzfiesta in Mexico, through most of Europe, to two shows, also in Mexico, opening forOzzy Osbourneon August 18 and 20. Then a one-off appearance at the Food Truck and Rock Carnival in Clark, New Jersey on September 19, and a short run in November in Europe, and atOzzfestJapan on November 22.
• 2015:Catacombs of the Black VaticanAustralia/New Zealand tour from November 25 in Frenmantle, Australia, to December 4 in Auckland, New Zealand.
• 2015:Doom Trooping Into 2016North American Tour withHuntressand The Shrine, from December 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, to December 31 in Marksville, Louisiana.
• 2018:The Grimmest Show on EarthNorth American Tour withCorrosion of Conformity,from January 2 in Omaha, Nebraska, to February 27 in Los Angeles, California. A short run of shows from January 8 in Montreal, Canada, to January 12 in Oklahoma City were cancelled for health reasons, with Corrosion of Conformity playing some last-minute smaller headline shows in their place. A second leg from July 14 at the Cadott Rock Fest to August 11 in Sayreville, New Jersey included replacement dates for the four cancelled shows. The date in Oklahoma City was postponed by two days, replacing the date in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.Eyehategodjoined several dates on both legs.
• 2018:The Grimmest Show on EarthEuropean Tour with Monolord from March 3 in Ekaterinburg, Russia, to April 9 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Ekaterinburg date was eventually cancelled and the tour started the next night in Moscow. The Belfast date on April 9 was added due to high demand after the original final date of the tour in Belfast on April 8 sold out.

External links

• Official website
• Black Label SocietyatAllMusic