Released on Spitfire Records in 2003
THE BAND:
Zakk Wylde – vocals, guitars, bass, piano
Craig Nunenmacher – drums
Special guest:
Ozzy – background vocals on “Stillborn”
TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) “Stoned and Drunk” –The intro to this track opens with a pretty
standard metal intro. Zakk like with most of BLS’s music adds almost a scream
to the vocal lines of the verses. One of the things that stood out was the
double bass drum pattern. The chorus was really broke down. The guitar
overdubs between the rhythm and lead are very typical sounding. I was a little
shocked by the solo for the track. At first it did not really have that Zakk
intensity but that quickly changed for the second half of the solo.
2.) “Doomsday Jesus”-This track kicks off with a very hard-hitting double bass
drum pattern with heavy guitar riffs. The vocal arrangements of the verses are
a little abstract even for Zakk. For the chorus the band really slow the chorus
down. Also through the chorus there are a few small lead scales. The solo for
the song was very short.
3.) “Stillborn”-There is a small vocal stack through the intro; from right off
you can tell who it is. Zakk sings the verse and Ozzy sings what is suppose to
be the chorus. There is a real cool little drum pattern for this track. I can
say this…this track if one of the few tracks that really shows Ozzy’s vocal
ability. The guitar arrangements for the song even though have a repetitive
feel they also have a very mean feel to them. The solo for the song was very
short.
4.) “Suffering Overdue” –This track opens with a very modern Metallica sounding
intro. The rough sounding vocals work very well on this track. The verse and
chorus run into each other without any change in the arrangement. For the
breakdown section the band really slow the track down and Zakk drops the intense
vocal scream to his natural singing voice.
5.) “The Blessed Hellride”-This track opens with an acoustic guitar
arrangement. Zakk’s vocals sound better behind this type arrangement. Vocally
Zakk completely drops the intense vocal sound. The musical arrangement for the
song is very laid back. The drum pattern and bass line are completely different
patterns, which gives the song a very abstract feel. The solo for the song has
an echo feel to it.
6.) “Funeral Bell”-This tracks main guitar riff has a very catchy feel to it.
After the last line of each vocal arrangement there is a small lead scale.
Vocally the vocal lines are not has intense has some of the heavier songs on
this release. Zakk does a couple pick slides on the musical arrangement. There
isn’t anyone who does a pick slide as cool sounding as Zakk. For the last
chorus before the solo there is a vocal echo added to the vocal arrangement.
7.) “Final Solution”-On the intro to this track there is a few lead scales.
Vocally through the verse Zakk does a very cool Ozzy with Black Sabbath vocal
arrangement and sound. There is a very cool musical change for the solo.
8.) “Destruction Overdrive”-This track opens with a Zakk guitar arrangement from
the late eighties. Once again the verse and chorus run one into another without
any change. At times Zakk does a couple backing vocal overdubs that does show
his vocal ability.
9.) “Blackened Waters”-This track opens with an acoustic guitar arrangement.
There also is a small lead scale at the end of the intro. The vocal and musical
arrangement on this track is a lot like the stuff Zakk did with “Pride and
Glory”. At times the vocal lines have a darkness to them.
10.) “We Live No More”-This track opens with a very cool drum arrangement. The
guitar patterns are very laid back. Vocally Zakk has an older Ozzy with Sabbath
feel to the vocal lines. The song in whole has a very simple feel to it with a
solid sound. There are a few real cool backing vocal overdubs. The solo for
the track has an abstract melodic feel to it.
11.) “Dead Meadow”-This track opens with Zakk on piano. When the band kick the
arrangement in it has a real solid groove. The vocal lines are a little draggy
but they’re supposed to be on this track. I really like the subtle vocal feel
of the chorus.
It seems each song on this release is very repetitive of the one before
it. Following Zakk’s career from the beginning I feel he could have done a lot
better and the songs almost have a rushed feeling to them. Not even many die
hard Zakk Wylde fans could get into this one much.