Forever Down - mp3

Quite simply, Zakk Wylde is one of metal's most consistent songwriters and performers. From the beginning of his career with Ozzy in the late '80s, through his Pride and Glory project, his solo offering, and then his war-machine band Black Label Society, the man just churns out workman-like metal like few others can. On 'Mafia' BLS has matched its best efforts of the past, as the brief lighthearted "hangover" is definitely over, so to speak.
Zakk's Ozzy-meets-Anselmo voice remains the perfect match for the band's whisky and gasoline brand of destruction. And the music? Well, the non-stop grooves and riffs are still boasted in full force. The dude can sit in a garage and jam for a couple hours, coming up with deep-thudding rhythms that can later be crafted into lurching slabs of attitude. That's the way it's always been, and we will be the lucky ones if things continue on like that for a long time to come. Sit back, crack a beer, and if the mood strikes you, kick some ass. This album will fit the mood perfectly.
The solid and slow-pounding "Fire it Up" begins the band's seventh release in head-bobbing fashion, and is followed up by the manic "What's in You." The first single "Suicide Messiah" is another bass-thick mover, with "Forever Down" unveiling an absolute cutthroat rhythm. Beware the swinging axe!
"Death March" has a steady and evil pulse, "Say What You Will" is a fist-pounding treat, and all of "Too Tough to Die," "Electric Hellfire," "Spread Your Wings," and "Been a Long Time" are solid.
"In This River" is another in a long line of great light/emotional pieces from Zakk, featuring piano, some electric guitar, and great vocal layers.
At some point in time some bonehead will undoubtedly say, "Well, all of Black Label Society sounds kinda similiar to me... I kinda get tired of it after awhile." And that person might be correct to an extent -- all of Black Label Society kicks your ass in a "similiar" fashion, time and time again. But like a fine rack on a tanned cutie, BLS is something that no metalhead should ever get TIRED of. I don't hear people complaining about those. Good gawd, man!

TRACK LIST: Fire it Up/What's in You/Suicide Messiah/Forever Down/In This River/You Must Be Blind/Death March/Dr. Octavia/Say What You Will/Too Tough to Die/Electric Hellfire/Spread Your Wings/Been a Long Time/Dirt on the Grave