Black Label Society- Engines of Demolition (Album Review)

As they hurtle towards the thirty-year mark, Black Label Society remains a force to be reckoned with when it comes to heavy metal with some healthy doses of southern and blues rock flair.  It has been awhile since the group’s previous album Doom Crew Inc.back in 2021, as Zakk Wylde has kept himself busy with his take on Black Sabbath (Zakk Sabbath), a reunited Pantera, and collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne on what would end up being Osbourne’s final solo album.  But as work continued on Black Label Society in the background, Wylde and company have emerged with an effort that feels like a proper encapsulation of everything that’s happened in recent years.  Split between familiar up-tempo, heavy riffs, high flying solos, and darker emotional ballads, Engines of Demolition doesn’t deviate far from the established script but showcases an intensity and fire on par with the band’s more celebrated works.

Where some of Black Label Society’s discography went a bit mellower for much of its run, opener “Name in Blood” makes it clear that there is still plenty of heavy metal pulsing through the band’s veins.  The first minute or so is a bit softer, but once the song fully kicks in the driving tempo and chugging grooves have an immediately infectious energy and the solos are absolutely killer.  “Gatherer of Souls” continues in a similar manner, settling into a slightly slower cadence that lets more of the southern and bluesy swagger shine through.  But for all the heavy hitting moments, there are just as many that head into softer ballad territory.  “Better Days & Wiser Times” gives the first taste of Engines of Demolition exploring this direction, as it lets softer guitar and piano drive things forward and gives off an almost southern rock meets country tone.  The middle of the album regularly shifts back and forth between the heavier riffs and subdued melodies, and there are even some slower numbers that are a bit more doom-like in sound.  Closer “Ozzy’s Song” represents Wylde’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and while I was expecting something a bit heavier the emotional power of the guitar melodies and piano worked well.  Admittedly there’s nothing here that deviates too much from what Black Label Society has offered since the beginning, but there’s something about the emotion and intensity presented throughout that had Engines of Demolition stand out more than the last few albums, and there really isn’t a song I wanted to skip over.

Zakk Wylde has one of those voices that is instantly recognizable, and even after so many years he hasn’t lost any of his range or power.  “Name in Blood” is a perfect example, as he has a soaring pitch that’s classic heavy metal crossed with southern rock swagger.  Sometimes his voice heads into grittier territory, which is first noticeable on some of the heavier moments but is most noticeable on the ballads.  “Better Days & Wiser Times” and “Ozzy’s Song” have a grittiness to them despite the singing being a bit softer, and you can really feel the emotion behind each verse.  To the uninitiated Wylde’s style may have a lot of the typical elements for southern rock/metal and heavy metal, but there are a lot of little details that continue to shine through on Engines of Demolition and this has always been an aspect that’s elevated some of Black Label Society’s better material for me.

At this point in their career Black Label Society has a clearly established sound that they don’t deviate from, but the quality of the songwriting on Engines of Demolition shows that their formula can still be exciting this many years in.  For some it might get a little too soft towards the middle, but I found the back and forth drew me in and it felt like there was a renewed fire compared to some of the last few efforts.  Whether you like the more heavy metal moments or some of the softer rock explorations, Wylde and company’s latest album should keep you coming back for more.  Engines of Demolition is available from MNRK Heavy.

-Review by Chris Dahlberg