Black Label Society
Grimmest Hits

Following up a great album like “Catacombs Of The Black Vatican” was a tough challenge.

Zakk Wylde gives it a shot, and it must be said that for the most part, he succeeds. The new album “Grimmest Hits” is quite impressive. Not a masterpiece, and at fifty-one years old, the much-desired (by critics more than by fans) innovative turn likely won't come. Wylde does what he knows best, and he does it exceptionally well.

For “Grimmest Hits”, Wylde leans more towards doom, without losing the distinctive traits of his sound. There are plenty of classically BLS tracks; the stunning opener “Trampled Down Below” makes it clear right away. The solid riffs, now an indelible trademark of Wylde's craft, are there, as well as a firm vocal ability that, while never being so distinctive, remains in great shape.

There are a couple of heartfelt (and successful) tributes to Black Sabbath; they can be found in the cavernous riffs and the successful central acceleration of “All That Once Shined”, and especially in the entertaining “Disbelief”, which unabashedly pillages “A National Acrobat”.

Traces of grunge (not Nirvana style, but more Alice In Chains territory) can be found in the powerful “Seasons Of Falter” and in the shimmering ballads “The Day That Heaven Had Gone Away” and “The Only Words”, which surely brought a smile of approval to Chris Cornell's spirit up above. The surprisingly digestible single “Room Of Nightmares” is brief, complete with an unusual and self-ironic video, which pairs well with the Zeppelin-esque closer “Nothing Left To Say”, unusually radio-friendly. “Illusion Of Peace” is the most aggressive track of the batch and will surely work excellently live, as well as the Deep Purple-esque nuances of “Bury Your Sorrow”.

After thirty years of career, Zakk Wylde is still up there, and no one can move him. Nothing new under the sun, “Grimmest Hits” is a very solid album from an artist who has found a recognizable stylistic signature and keeps it well visible without boring. If we are looking for innovation or something new and different from the usual, we're in the wrong place; if we're seeking something familiar, but with a familiarity that doesn't come at the expense of quality, we can only view this new Black Label Society release positively.

Best track: Trampled Down Below