Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt on January 14, 1967) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor who is best known as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. His signature bulls-eye design appears on many of his guitars and is widely recognized. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory, who released one self-titled album in 1994 before disbanding. As a solo artist he released Book of Shadows and Book of Shadows II.
Book of Shadows is the first solo studio album by the heavy metal guitarist Zakk Wylde. The album was first released in 1996, and was reissued by Spitfire in 1999 with the bonus disc containing “Evil Ways” (the Japanese bonus track from the album’s original release), “The Color Green”, and “Peddlers of Death” (an acoustic version of a track that features on Black Label Society’s Sonic Brew).
Unlike his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society, here Zakk Wylde shows a different side to his music; an introspective and mostly acoustic style recalling many of the lighter moments from his previous project, Pride & Glory as well as classic folk rock artists such as Neil Young.
Promotional singles were released for “Between Heaven and Hell” and “Way Beyond Empty”, the latter of which also had an accompanying music video.
“Throwin’ It All Away” was written about the death of Shannon Hoon from the band Blind Melon. Shannon and Zakk had lived together and became close friends a few months before he died of a drug overdose. (by wikipedia)
After spending several years with Ozzy Osbourne and recording one album with the heavy Southern rock trio Pride & Glory, guitarist Zakk Wylde released his debut solo album, Book of Shadows, in June of 1996. Naturally, the album is a guitar showcase, with each song boasting a dazzling guitar solo or two. That much was expected. What is a surprise is the musical diversity apparent throughout the album. Wylde does kick out some heavy riff-driven rockers, but he also detours into blues, country, and folk on occasion. That diversity ensures that Book of Shadows is more listenable for the average listener than most guitarist-led albums. However, Wylde’s songwriting skills remain weak; although the playing is memorable, the melodies rarely are. Nevertheless, there’s enough prime instrumental work here to make it a very worthwhile listen for guitar aficionados and a few of the tracks should satiate fans of straight-ahead heavy boogie rock.(by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)
This isn´t a hevy rock album, it´s an album full with ballads with very pensive thoughts.
Personnel:
James LoMenzo (bass)
Joe Vitale (drums, keyboards, piano on “I Thank You Child”)
Zakk Wylde (vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, bass on 10.)
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John Sambataro (background vocals on 05.)
Tracklist:
01. Between Heaven And Hell 3.26
02. Sold My Soul (feat. Guiggs) 4.52
03. Road Back Home 5.48
04. Way Beyond Empty 5.25
05. Throwin’ It All Away 5.47
06. What You’re Look’n For 5.31
07. Dead As Yesterday 2.51
08. Too Numb To Cry 2.23
09. The Things You Do 4.11
10. 1,000,000 Miles Away 6.29
11. I Thank You Child 4.41
All songs written by Zakk Wylde
Two different labels
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