Black Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with seven studio albums released to date.
Formation
In the early 1990s, Wylde had formed his own solo band Pride & Glory, playing a mixture of bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. However, after one album, they disbanded in December 1994. Wylde subsequently recorded an acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows (released 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-lasting band. It was known from the get-go 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.
Sonic Brew was released in Japan on 28 October 1998. Due to delays in signing with a record label (Spitfire Records), the album was not released in the rest of the world until 4 May 1999.
Line-up changes
The band's second album Stronger Than Death followed in 2000, with DeServio being replaced by Steve Gibb. Craig Nunenmacher replaced Ondich in July 2000, with his debut recording with the band being the live album Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live +5. This was followed by 1919 Eternal in 2002. Steve Gibb was temporarily replaced by Mike Inez during the Ozzfest 2001 tour, and then Robert Trujillo took over bass duties for the band the next year.
In 2003, Trujillo joined Metallica, leaving the bass position in Black Label Society open, which left room for Inez to rejoin the band for a short 2 week tour, supporting the band's album The Blessed Hellride. James LoMenzo joined the band in 2004 after the release of Hangover Music Vol. VI, which was the band's last release for Spitfire Records.
In 2005, after the band signed with Artemis Records, the album Mafia was released. In October, LoMenzo left the band for Megadeth 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.
Changes within the band
On the first four studio albums, Wylde played every instrument except for the drums, including vocals, guitars, piano, and bass guitar. However, starting with 2004's Hangover Music Vol. VI, Wylde decided to let the band's bassist perform on the album (though uniquely, three bassists - Mike Inez, John DeServio, and James LoMenzo perform on this album, as the band had no permanent bassist at the time, though LoMenzo became a member of the band soon after), preferring a bassist's interaction and feel to the sound of himself, a guitarist playing bass. Nick Catanese has not, to date, played on any of the studio albums, but, as of 2006, Wylde allows him to perform some of the songs' guitar solos live while he is playing piano.
DeServio and Catanese form new bands in 2007
As of July 2007, members of Black Label Society J.D. DeServio and Nick Catanese both signaled the start of new bands as Zakk Wylde toured with Ozzy Osbourne. DeServio's band, Cycle of Pain (or C.O.P), has been shopping to major labels and is believed to have inked a deal. Catanese's band, Speed X, includes Mike Stone from Queensr?che and is currently recording. However, according to DeServio at a guitar clinic/autograph signing in Huntington, NY, Black Label Society is set to begin recording a new album in the fall of 2008.
Members
Current members
Zakk Wylde - vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, piano (1998?present)
Nick Catanese - rhythm guitars (1998?present)
Craig Nunenmacher - drums (2000?present)
John DeServio - bass (1999, 2005?present)
Previous members
Phil Ondich - drums (1998?2000)
Steve Gibb - bass (2000?2001)
Mike Inez - bass (1999, 2001, 2003)
Robert Trujillo - bass (2002)
James LoMenzo - bass (2004?2005)
Guest members
Christian Werr - drums on several tracks on 1919 Eternal
Frey Theiler - bass on several Ozzfest 2001 concert dates, filling in for Mike Inez
Ozzy Osbourne - vocals on "Stillborn".
Mike Piazza - Low Vocals on Stronger Than Death
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Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black Label Society
Original Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black Label Society
