Black Label Society Albums Ranked

Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998 by Zakk Wylde. To date, the band has released ten studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums. In the early 1990s, Wylde had formed his own solo band Pride & Glory, playing a mixture of bluesy Southern rock with heavy metal. However, they disbanded in December 1994 after having released only one album. Wylde subsequently recorded an acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows (1996). In May 1998, after limited commercial success with Book of Shadows, Wylde and drummer Phil Ondich recorded what became Black Label Society’s debut album, Sonic Brew. It was decided, rather than the album being another solo album for Wylde, that they would form a long term band. It was known from the start that Nick Catanese would be retained as the second guitarist in the band (Catanese previously toured as rhythm guitarist for the Book Of Shadows tour). John DeServio, who previously worked with Wylde as a temporary replacement in Pride & Glory, joined as the band’s bassist for the album’s tour. In 2005, after the band signed with Artemis Records, the album Mafia was released. In October, LoMenzo left the band (and joined Megadeth a few months later) and was replaced by the band’s original bassist, John DeServio. In 2006, the band left Artemis Records and signed to Roadrunner Records, releasing the album Shot to Hell. In June 2007, Black Label Society parted ways with Roadrunner Records. Here are all of Black Label Society albums ranked.

Relive the music of Black Label Society. Click below and enjoy true metal songs!

10. Shot to Hell (2006)

“Zakk is hands down the most talented musician on the planet today, in any genre of music, and Shot To Hell just continues to prove that. Zakk was always great with Ozzy, but has truly blossomed since going solo-from Pride & Glory to BLS. True, Shot To Hell is more reminiscent of Pride & Glory and Book Of Shadows, but those are also two of Zakk’s best albums. I think that it is great that Zakk is taking BLS into territory that is relatively uncharted for BLS (although familiar to him). Hopefully Shot To Hell will inspire the Society Dwellers to pick up his earlier solo work if they haven’t already, and for those of us who have been listening to him rip it up since the late 1980’s it is just confirmation of how truly great Zakk is.”

9. Hangover Music Vol. VI (2004)

“This album is like Part 2 of Book of Shadows (which i prefer) but this album picks up where Shadows left off. Nice mellow jams,some acoustic some heavier but no insane out the amp blaring BLS bar fight music. This is aptly titled and for the right reasons,Hangover Music cuz it is a nice mellow way to wake up and hear with a hangover to kinda get you in motion. Love the guitars,love the bass lines and the drums have a super good sound. Check it out you wont be disappointed.”

8. Grimmest Hits (2018)

“Zakk continues his workhorse schedule and serves notice. This is BLS at their best! IMHO this stands up to anything he’s done. A testament to the true force that he is and will continue to be. Great riffs, great songs, inspired solos and an added depth of dynamics and soulfulness. Truly amazing career and no signs of slowing down.”

See more: Ozzy Osbourne Albums Ranked

7. Stronger Than Death (2000)

“Stronger than Death is another hard hitting heavy duty song with crunchy riffs & distortion. Love Reign Down is another great song,and an excellent ending track for such an amazing album. This album in it’s entirety is amazing and definitely a great album for any fans of BLS or any metal for that matter. It is a heavy metal album with some melodic tracks but all in all if you like southern rock and killer guitar riffs pick this album up,you will not be disappointed.”

6. Sonic Brew (1998)

“The Black Label Society’s debut album showcased a band that could rock right off the bat, but at the same time could continue to grow and mature into one of the best Metal bands out there. This being their first album, Zakk Wylde’s influences are more apparent here than on the other BLS albums, making it a unique bit of southern fried metal which is actually really good. Recommended!”

5. Catacombs of the Black Vatican (2014)

“Catacombs of the Black Vatican, is everything you can expect from a BLS record. I still feel Order of the Black is their best effort to date. However, COTBV isn’t far behind. To be honest, I like every song on this record except of “Dying Time.” This track lacks musically and vocally for me. Couple of my standout tracks would have to be “Believe, Beyond the Down and Shades of Gray.””

See more: Slayer Albums Ranked

4. Order of the Black (2010)

“The album is great from to finish with plenty of tough heavy songs like Crazy Horse and Overlord along with some mellower piano tinged numbers like Darkest Days and Time Waits For No One and showcases the band sounding very revitalized after a long absence. Zakk`s singing really has improved as evident on the slower songs. Plus Will Hunt`s drum work is outstanding with plenty of pounding beats that not only gets your headbanging, but also mixes in some groove too. Overall i really love Order of the Black. It is without question one of BLS` best albums to date, which i highly recommend.”

3. 1919 Eternal (2002)

“The album goes a tad slower paced with Bridge to Cross which is somewhat reminiscent of Rust from Stronger than Death,the song is such a slow & doomy brooding and sad almost ballad-ish style song. Sadness,heaviness,and depression all balled into 1 amazingly beautiful song,it is 1 of my all time favorites on the disc. Battering Ram is where the album picks back up with the heaviest riffage,super fast drumming & bass that is super heavy and distorted like hell. Speedball is another guitar interlude like T.A.Z. or Takyllia,which is pretty damn fast considering it is acoustic…but it just slows up for about a minute.”

2. Mafia (2005)

“This album is a good solid hard rock album. It has the lyrics the Guitar playing and the solid rhythm section too. It even opens up with a really good singalong song it also contains, in this river which is an awesome ballad song too. The guitar playing is excellent and the whole album is just Solid as a rock really. unless you find Zakk’s voice annoying or generally don’t like this type of music then you should find this album to be most excellent

1. The Blessed Hellride (2003)

“Blessed Hellride slows down the album a bit,but it is still nice & beautiful and it is super catchy. Excellent slow tempo track with some of the most melodic vocals and acoustic guitar. Funeral Bell picks up the pace with a catchy riffs and a super addictive rhythm guitar lead that’s just super heavy & crunchy,the vocals and drums kick ass on this track. Final Solution is another great southern rock driven song with excellent guitar riffs.