Zakk Wylde kicks ass. He kicks the ass of today's so-called Metal scene. He kicks the ass of bands like Korn, System of a Down, Powerman 5000, and all the other Metal pretenders out there. He kicks ass on stage. And he kicks my ass over and over again with the huge, heavy guitar sound of his latest Black Label Society release, Stronger Than Death.

The music is extremely heavy, and it grinds it's way into your skull, ensuring that you'll be humming the riffs to yourself when you're away from your CD player. But beyond the ultra-heavy rhythms, Zakk remembered that REAL Metalheads want to wash their crunch down with a fifth of 100-proof shred. Unlike the current stable of so-called Metal bands that are being pushed down our throats by the clueless big record labels, Black Label Society uses awesome guitar solos to keep things from getting monotonous. Yes, that's right kids - Heavy Metal doesn't have to be mindless three-chord bullshit. It's true. It's true.

The disc starts out with the powerful "All For You." I'm not sure if it's a nod to Ozzy or just coincidence, but the vocals do seem to be done in an Ozzy-like style. Then it's on to the grinding "Phoney Smiles and Fake Hellos." The solo in the middle contrasts perfectly with the methodical guitar crunch of the track, and the lyrics... well, here's the chorus: "You, Yeah You / Still haven't figured what it is you do / Just a no talent nothing with a ten ton ego / Until your 15 minutes are through / You, yeah you / A conscience deaf and blind / I'm driving the hearse without remorse / Destroying you and your kind." Not sure who this is directed at, but I like to think it's about the "Nu-metal" bands and the big record labels backing them.

"13 Years of Grief" has one of the catchiest, heaviest, groovingest (is that a word?) riffs I've ever heard. "Rust" is a beautiful yet heavy ballad with a solo that will send a chill through your body. "Superterrorizer" has a great name and a great, monstrous groove that's perfect for headbangin'! "Counterfeit God" is the first single off the album and it's gotten some radio airplay around the country. It has a great guitar sound, awesome "crunch," and like most of the songs on Stronger Than Death, a great groove. "Ain't Life Grand" is another monster rocker with killer, heavy drums. "Just Killing Time" is another awesome ballad featuring some cool piano, and very emotion-filled guitar. It shows Zakk's versatility - it could almost be a song from Zakk's phenomenal, must-have CD, Book of Shadows. The title track, "Stronger Than Death," has a bit of a Rob Zombie groove to it at times. It totally rocks! "Love Reigns Down," which is kind of somber until the solo section kicks it up a bit, wraps up the album. Part of this track (the last two minutes) almost feels like an "outro" that could have been a separate track.

I've said it a hundred times before: Rock radio is like a neutered dog these days - NO BALLS! If Rock radio had any balls, Stronger Than Death would be getting major airplay and would be a serious contender for Heavy Metal album of the year. There's not a bad track on here, as they all have something memorable about them whether it's a killer groove, a sweet solo, or no-bullshit lyrics. It's got the ultra-heavy guitar crunch that is almost a prerequisite today, yet it features a guitarist who can actually stretch the instrument to it's limits. But God forbid we reward musicianship! Then the sheep might start to think for themselves again, right RIAA? Anyway, give a big F-YOU to the mainstream music industry. Buy Stronger Than Death and leave the Korn and Limp Bizkit CD's where they belong - rotting on the store shelves. After all, real Metal shreds.

Reviewed by Kevin Ryan

Listen to a RealAudio sample of "13 Years of Grief"
Listen to a RealAudio sample of "Rust"
Listen to a RealAudio sample of "Stronger Than Death"

Get your ass kicked! Order Black Label Society's Stronger Than Death from