Review: Black Label Society - Catacombs of the Black Vatican
[E1 Music, 2014]
Rating: 6.5/10
By Eric Perzanowski, Contributor
Key Tracks: “Fields of Unforgiveness,” “Empty Promises,” “My Dying Time”
Catacombs of the Black Vatican is the ninth full-length album from Black Label Society, the band of former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. This album is pretty much in line with the rest of the band’s discography, which is both a good thing and a detriment.
The album starts off fairly strong with “Fields of Unforgiveness” and “My Dying Time,” which follow with the style of other Black Label Society hit songs. In addition, both songs feature guitar solos that are Zakk Wylde's distinct style.
About halfway through the album, the material starts to drag on for several tracks. The songs don’t stick out as much, and aren’t as memorable as the material featured towards the beginning of the album. Fortunately, the album finishes strong (although, as a personal choice, I’d finish the album with “Empty Promises” over “Shades of Grey”).
In addition to the headbanging songs, Black Label Society also has a fair amount of ballads. On Catacombs, there are three ballads with “Angel Of Mercy,” “Scars” and “Shades of Grey.” Despite a personal distaste for ballads, the ballads typically done by Black Label Society aren’t as sappy as plenty of other “heavy metal ballads,” and they are a great tool for showcasing Wylde’s singing abilities.
One of Black Label Society’s signatures is the extreme use of pinch harmonics, otherwise known as the squealing guitar sounds one hears throughout the album. At times, the usage almost seems like self-parody, but it’s not at all a problem for someone who enjoys the squealing guitars.
In the four years since the last Black Label Society album, Order Of The Black, the band went through a bit of a change. Dario Lorina replaced long-time rhythm guitarist Nick Catanese (though neither Lorina nor Catanese appear on the album), and the band went through five drummers before settling on Chad Szeliga.
The changes aren’t as noticeable as they might have been, were this not Black Label Society. The reason for this is that Black Label Society is essentially The Zakk Wylde Band. This isn’t a slight towards the rest of the members or Wylde, the material simply focuses mostly on Wylde’s guitar playing and vocals.
Overall, Catacombs of the Black Vatican doesn’t match up to Black Label Society classics like Sonic Brew, or The Blessed Hellride, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a worthwhile endeavor.
