Black's back, no thanks to Osama

Black Label Society

1919 Eternal

Spitfire

Two 1/2 stars (out of five)

Believe it or not, Osama bin Laden was responsible for aspects of Black Label Society's new record, 1919 Eternal.

Zakk Wylde, guitarist and vocalist in the Society, had every intention of titling his latest offering Deathcore War Machine Eternal.

Then Osama struck and the band's plans were changed. The new album title, 1919 Eternal, is a watered down, complacent version of the original namesake.

The previous two Black Label Society discs (Sonic Brew, Stronger Than Death) were critically acclaimed because they were a heavy, fresh-faced kick in the ass.

Both records took Wylde's aggressive musicianship and intense soloing to new heights and were deservedly rewarded by selling well. 1919 Eternal therefore, had many expectations attached to its release. Unfortunately, the record underachieves.

Though there are definite highlights to be found ("Bleed For Me," "Battering Ram," "Genocide Junkies"), the other tracks seems like a formulaic take on the song-writing process. 1919 Eternal is further hindered by a cliched and contrived acoustic version of "America The Beautiful."

–David Perri