'Hangover Music VI' is, unsurprisingly, the sixth album that Zakk Wylde has released under the Black Label Society monicker. The previous two releases 'The Blessed Hellride' and '1919-Eternal' were glorious stabs at classic heavy metal, complete with doom laden guitar, wailing solo's and of course Zakk's plaintive vocals. 'Hangover Music' is, however, a step in a different direction, perhaps harking back more to the Pride & Glory release of a decade ago.

The whole album is marked by it's use of acoustic guitars, rather than the normal fat electric guitar sound Wylde is more famous for. This approach is exemplified by album opener 'Crazy Or High', where the electric guitar really only kicks in for a short but emotive solo mid song. is axe.

Highlight of the album is third song in, 'Steppin Stone'  with Zakk sounding somewhat pissed off in his vocal delivery. The track overall is slightly heavier than most on the album, with more use of electric guitar within the overall context of the song, bit still primarily acoustic driven. The solo in this song is breathtakingly beautiful, with long single sustained notes at the beginning giving way to a flurry of fretboard fenzy at the conclusion. This song is followed closely in the quality stakes by 'House Of Doom' which is again one of the heavier tracks on offer.

The only major drawback to the album is the inclusion of Procul Harum's 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'. The arrangement on offer is a simple piano/vocal duet and at times it sounds like something you may get in the lounge of your local pub... Far better use is made of the piano in 'Woman Don't Cry' where it sits alongside the bass and drums and the vocal delivery is more laid back and in album closer 'Fear', which has an earthy feel to it as Zakk bares his emotions within the lyrics.

Hangover Music is by no means a heavy metal album and is very downbeat in its feel and execution. The arrangements and production is simple but effective. As the title suggests this is not a record to put on when getting ready to go out, but more a record to listen to at the end of a long day. By stepping out of the traditional heavy metal stylings, Wylde has allowed his own emotions to reflect upon his songwriting and thus show a maturity and depth that may have been previously missing. The best BLS album so far without doubt....

Let us know your views on 'Hangover Music Vol VI'

Track List

Crazy Or High
Queen Of Sorrow
Steppin' Stone
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Takillna
Won't Find It Here
She Deserves A Free Ride
House Of Doom
Damage Is Done
Layne
Woman Don't Cry
No Other
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Once More
Fear

Line Up

Zakk Wylde - Lead Vocals/Guitars
Craig Nunenmacher -Drums
John Tempesta - Drums
James Lomenzo - Bass
John Deservio - Bass
Mike Inez - Bass