Why CATACOMBS OF THE BLACK VATICAN by BLACK LABEL SOCIETY matters

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1. Fields Of Forgiveness
2. My Dying Time
3. Believe
4. Angel Of Mercy
5. Heart Of Darkness
6. Beyond The Down
7. Scars
8. Damn The Flood
9. I’ve Gone Away
10. Shades Of Gray
11. Dark Side Of The Sun (Bonus Track)
12. The Nomad (Bonus Track)

 

 

With the release of Catacombs Of The Black Vatican by Black Label Society there are droves of reviews popping up around the internet and music mags. I have chosen not to do the standard record review.

Take equal parts superhero, mountain man, guitar wizard, and comedian and you have Zakk Wylde. Why does Zakk Wylde matter? There are several reasons why Zakk matters today. A lot of us grew up with rock stars as our idols, they were larger than life and lived in a magical place and manifested themselves in our ears, on our walls, and on stage. Zakk has maintained the image of the rock star and majesty that goes with it. The music, the look, and the show, sheer genius. The music Zakk makes reaches us on a primal level tapping in to emotions from all out enthusiasm to quiet inner reflection. The personality of Zakk is one that pokes fun of himself and yet remains serious in what he does, he reminds us that no matter what, life can be funny if you look for it.

Zakk has also given us the gift of a unifying Family: the Black Label Society. I still maintain the theory that Black Label Society is bigger than the sum of its parts. I have met and made some incredible friends just because I (or they) I have also “met” many people online in the various BLS forums and pages. This “Family” is truly unique in that they support each other in many ways.  It is also cool to see Family members travel to great lengths to meet up up with each other and celebrate at BLS shows (Thanks Ish). In today’s world it is hard to find people who choose to stand united on anything.

Catacombs Of The Black Vatican carries on the BLS legacy in every way. I have listened to it  for a few days now and find that it takes me away and invokes memories of songs loved from the past and yet remains fresh and new. I can envision the spirits of Dime, Jimi, and Randy are roaming the halls of the Black Vatican and smiling  upon it and the work being done there.

The Troubadour of Testosterone is back…in a big way.

Zakk prepared us for entry into the Catacombs Of The Black Vatican with the lead off single “My Dying Time”. Check it out if you haven’t already and pick up Catacombs Of The Black Vatican

     Zakk Wylde and the Black Label Society give us STRENGTH in the music of Catacombs Of the Black Vatican. He has the DETERMINATION to GI/FD everyday. Zakk is MERCILESS in his pursuit of musical knowledge. His music is FOREVER.

     Alright, here’s my review of Catacombs Of The Black Vatican: Simply put, it’s a great record buy it you will not regret it!

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

     -the Hellion

Help support the Hellion Rocks with a T-Shirt!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help the Hellion Rocks by purchasing a T-shirt at the link below! Thanks for all of your support!!! – the Hellionfront-big

 

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https://www.booster.com/thehellionrocksfundraiser

the Hellion Rocks presents: Gregg LoCascio of Cycle Of Pain

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A while ago we had the chance to speak with Black Label Society/Cycle Of Pain bassist John “JD” DeServio (https://thehellionrocks.com/2013/11/29/cycle-of-pain-black-label-society-bass-legend-john-jd-deservio-on-the-hellion-rocks/). We now have the great fortune to speak with Cycle Of Pain vocalist Gregg LoCascio. We had a great chat and he’s a down to earth kind of guy. Enjoy our conversation right here:

 

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CYCLE OF PAIN!!!

– the Hellion

the Hellion Rocks presents: Justin Manning of Crowned By Fire

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It’s always great to talk to Justin Manning. We had a great discussion about the new deal Crowned By Fire signed with the newly formed Chrome Mountain Records.1044077_1452670484954224_2072048793_n

 

Make sure you go to Facebook and show Crowned By Fire and Chrome Mountain Records some love:

https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

https://www.facebook.com/ChromeMountainRecords

 

 

This conversation went for about an hour so I’ll keep it short here and let you get to it:

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE!

the Hellion

 

Black Label Society – “My Dying Time” from the upcoming release ‘Catacombs Of The Black Vatican’

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Ok I admit it, I am biased when it comes to Black Label Society. I also admit to purchasing the new track “My Dying Time” the minute it became available. I have taken some time to absorb the track and see what the public thought of it as well. Give it a listen and we’ll talk about it:

     So, some say it is a departure from the traditional BLS sound, I say it just reflects the progression of Zakk as a performer and a person. We cannot expect an artist to become pigeonholed by a “sound”. If we do, we get the same record over and over again.

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     “My Dying Time” imparts a heavy groove that combined with the hypnotic vocals takes us on a doom laden trip into the Catacombs Of The black Vatican. The track is nicely layered with great production quality. It reminds me of early Sabbath or a song from times gone by when music meant something.  The naysayers have come out of the woodwork to cast their aspersions on Zakk and co. To the naysayers I say this: How many records have you sold? Where are you playing tonight? What have you done for the music world? What is stopping you from proving your point? Bring it on and I, for one, would love to hear it and give it a chance without prejudice. As Zakk would say GI/FD!

     Thanks Father Zakk and we’re waiting patiently for the rest of the record!

     it’s loud, it’s full of ‘roids, it’s laced with Viagra, it’s BLACK LABEL SOCIETY!!!

     SDMF my BLS Family!

     -the Hellion

Track Listing for Black Label Society ‘Catacombs Of The Black Vatican revealed on iTunes!

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1. Fields of Unforgiveness
2. My Dying Time
3. Believe
4. Angel Of Mercy
5. Heart Of Darkness
6. Beyond The Dawn
7. Scars
8. Damn the Flood
9. I’ve Gone Away
10.Empty Promises
11. Shades Of Gray
12. Dark Side of the Sun (Bonus Track)
13. The Nomad (Bonus Track)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/catacombs-black-vatican-deluxe/id799689367

     Well it appears that the track listing has been unveiled in iTunes. Little by little we are being whipped into a frenzy for this release!!! Viagra for our ears!!!

     SDMF!!!

    the Hellion

Zakk Wylde live tonight on the Artie Lange Show!!!!

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Live Tonight! Artie welcomes in guitarist Zakk Wylde & Casey Stern from MLB Network Radio!!  Tune in to AUDIENCE Ch. 239 Live at 10pET, only on DIRECTV!!!

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – CATACOMBS OF THE BLACK VATICAN – 4/8/14

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It is time, time to explore the Catacombs Of The Black Vatican! We have been waiting for new material from BLS since Order Of The Black in 2010. Now in April of 2014 we will be led into the Catacombs Of The Black Vatican! See you there!

     SDMF my Family!

     the Hellion

Black Label Society welcomes guitarist Dario Lorina to the Family!

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Well my  SDMF Family we were all saddened by the departure of Brother Nick “The Evil Twin” Catanese last month and we wish him the best in his new endeavors. Now, we welcome a new Brother to the fold. Father Zakk has tapped Lizzy Borden guitarist Dario Lorina to sit in for a while.

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Here’s a little taste of Dario:

     Stayed tuned for more information as it becomes available. Remember, Zakk and co. are currently working on a new record for us as well!!!

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s BLACK LABEL SOCIETY!!!!

     the Hellion

New music I’m looking forward to in 2014

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Loads of great music coming our way in 2014! Here’s a few that I’m excited about:

Adrenaline Mob – Men Of Honor
Hirax – Immortal Legacy
Black Label Society – TBA
Corrosion OF Conformity– TBA
DOWN – TBA
Crowned By Fire– Space Music For Cave People
Red Dragon Cartel – Red Dragon Cartel
The Ground Beneath – Self Titled
Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza
Prong – Ruining Lives
Voice Of December– TBA
Darken The Day – TBA
Tesla – TBA

     Well there are a few new releases I’m looking forward to. Tell me what you are excited to hear in 2014!!!

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s NEW ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     the Hellion