Entertainment One (eOne) has licensed the complete back catalog of Black Label Society (BLS), the hard rock group led by American guitar icon Zakk Wylde. In addition to the band’s last three albums which were released on eOne, the Company has licensed the following titles: Sonic Brew, Stronger Than Death, 1919 Eternal, The Blessed Hellride, Hangover Music Vol. VI, Mafia, and Shot to Hell. Fans can expect these titles in never-before-released formats over the next few years. eOne’s Scott Givens, SVP, Rock, Music, says, “I’m delighted to expand our partnership with Zakk and Black Label Society to now include all his amazing earlier work.”
Black Label Society has also announced their “20 Years of Sonic Brewtality Tour,” a brand-new batch of 2019 North American tour dates in conjunction with the release of a new, reimagined version of the band’s iconic 1999 debut LP, Sonic Brew, on May 17, 2019 titled Sonic Brew – 20th Anniversary Blend 5.99 – 5.19, original formula with enhanced flavor. “The original recording back in 1997 was mastered with high volume, alcohol, and dance,” says Wylde from his home studio. “We went in and worked off the existing performances and focused on the high volume and dance while replacing the booze with viagra and anabolic steroids.”
The new re-blended version of Sonic Brew will feature two new bonus tracks, a full band/piano version of “Spoke In The Wheel” and an acoustic version of “Black Pearl.”
Wylde continues, although we wish he would stop, “I wanted to re-blend and re-choreograph this release to be the most brewtal and dance-tactic album since Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive” dominated the dance floor at Studio 54!”
The band will play two shows in each market – the first night will feature Sonic Brew played in its entirety, while the second night will see the band play a set of greatest hits. Support will come from Conan and The Atomic Bitchwax. Black Label Society will also participate in U.S festivals Sonic Temple, Epicenter, and Welcome to Rockville on this run.
Dates begin April 24 at The Oriental Theater in Denver and wrap up in Los Angeles at the famous El Rey Theater for two nights ending on May 23. Tickets are on sale this Friday, February 1, 2019. Sonic Brew was initially released in Japan on October 28, 1998, and contained 13 tracks and a free Zakk Wylde guitar pick. The album was subsequently released in North America on May 4, 1999, with three bonus tracks including a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears,” recorded with bassist Mike Inez of Alice in Chains.
Apr-24 Denver, CO The Oriental Theater
Apr-25 Denver, CO The Oriental Theater
Apr-27 Dallas, TX Canton Hall
Apr-28 Dallas, TX Canton Hall
Apr-30 Chicago, IL Concord Music Hall
May-01 Chicago, IL Concord Music Hall
May-04 Jacksonville, FL Welcome To Rockville
May-06 New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom
May-07 New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom
May-11 Rockingham, NC Epicenter
May-14 Toronto, ON Opera House
May-15 Toronto, ON Opera House
May-17 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple
May-18 Clarksville, TN O’Connors
May-22 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
May-23 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
Last year Black Label Society soared into the charts with their album Grimmest Hits, which landed at #4 on the Billboard Current Charts, the highest-charting LP since 2009’s Order Of The Back. Grimmest Hits also reached #1 on the Billboard Hard Music and Independent Charts, and #2 on the Rock Chart.
Wylde, is now reunited on stage with Ozzy Osbourne, whom he refers to as “the boss,” after an eight-year break. Wylde will kick off the U.K portion of the “No More Tours 2” tour tomorrow night in Dublin, Ireland at 3Arena. Tickets are on sale now.
One part invading horde and all parts traveling carnival party, Black Label Society traverses the world powered by caffeine and cacophony. BLS engages and inspires audiences everywhere they go, on every radio dial they burn, inviting all comers to join in and participate in their brotherhood and sisterhood of hard rock and vigor.
Now with ten BLS studio albums deep, with solo records, Ozzy shows, and Zakk Sabbath tours all kicking ass simultaneously, Zakk Wylde rides ever forward, fist held high. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is: Zakk Wylde – Vocals/Guitar / John DeServio – Bass / Dario Lorina – Guitar / Jeff Fabb – Drums.
Catch radio interviews(like this one with Steve Vai from Zakk’s recent Generation Axe tour), and pure rock programming on 91.7 FM WNJR Washington / Pittsburgh and online at WNJR.org daily from 3pm EST – Midnight. And follow us @ThePureRockShop for the latest pure rock news and show coverage including video of Zakk Wylde performing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with Steve Vai, Tobin Abasi, Nuno Bettencourt, and Yngwie Malmsteen from the Generation Axe tour. Mr. Wylde always makes an impression, and we can still remember this interview from our archives and the early days of The Pure Rock Shop website.
