Black Label Society - "Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live +5" (Spitfire)

Nowhere are the groove and violence of Black Label Society so evident as when they play live. Zakk Wylde and his oft-inebriated crew were hell-bent on proving this on the “Penchant for Violence” tour in support of the band’s latest release, Stronger Than Death. The well-distilled result, 13 live cuts and 5 new studio tracks, are an alcohol-drenched exercise in Black Label Brutality.

Black Label Society’s album materiel is well represented on Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live+5. The road cuts are lively, well produced, and offer a slurred glimpse into the hazy headspace inhabited by BLS. The music itself is uncomplicated, mid-speed and groove-heavy. Two studio albums in, Black Label Society are forging themselves a reputation by playing things the old-fashioned way; straightforward and heavy. The live tracks, to a limited extent, lack pace in their similarity in speed. Regardless, standouts like “Phoney Smiles, Fake Hellos” and the brutal “No More Tears” succeed in piquing attention when things start getting into a rut.

As good as the live cuts are, the real treasure of Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live+5 is the second disc. The five new songs are equal parts Motorhead, Skynrd, and Sabbath, but the results are pure 100 proof Black Label Society. From the deep rhythm of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” to the soothing strains of “Blood in the Wall”, Disc 2 goes down as smoothly than anything made in Tennessee. Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live+5 is a solid effort, pushed over the top by some real studio magic. Here’s to hoping Black Label Society buy us all another round of their home made, hell-fueled ambrosia as soon as possible...

Reviewed by: Blake Jessop