Black Label Society-Order of the Black

For those of you who don't know BLS, it's the side project (and now full time project) of (former) guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde. Zakk is able to blend the perfect elements of heavy guitar riffs and blistering solos with Elton John-esque piano ballads. The album opens with the droning monster of 'Crazy Horse' , which is sure to please fans of the bands and new-comers alike. After several standout tracks(ie 'Overlord' & 'Parade of the Dead'), the album moves to the slower ballads (ie 'January' & 'Time Waits for No One'). Both sides of the songs on the album are excellent. The only thing I personally didn't like was 'Chupacatra', a flamenco guitar piece clocking in at 50 seconds. I think it should have been placed at the beginning of another song, and spent the time used on that song with a full length piece. Overall, this album shreds! I love it, so, it's an easy 4.8 out of 5