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Black Label Society's Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good is surprisingly mellow.

Music Review: Black Label Society – Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good EP

Just in time for the holidays, Black Label Society offers a three-song set, Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good.

I really did not know what to expect from this short set other than superb guitar work. Given Zakk Wylde’s history with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society, I thought the songs would be heavier metal versions; it would not be the first time this has been done, after all.

But as it turns out, they are very pleasant acoustic guitar instrumentals of two Christmas classics, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” and a song I did not recognize, “It’s a Wonderful World.”

Wylde became a guitar icon touring and playing with Osbourne before forming Black Label Society in 1998. The band is known for uncompromising rock ‘n roll and shredding guitar. Frankly, these mellow Christmas songs were the last thing I expected from these particular musicians.

That is not to say I do not like them. Wylde and his cohorts are masters of their craft, and there is nothing he, in particular, cannot play and play well. The guitar work here is just impeccable.

The EP is available on iTunes through eOne Music, and certainly it will be a worthy addition to your Christmas collection. But as a promotional kickoff for their tour with Guns and Roses, which began December 3 here in Atlanta, Georgia, it is not very representative of Black Label Society’s sound, and seems an odd choice.

Enjoyed on their own as the fine instrumentals they are, though, these are enjoyable holiday numbers and worth checking out, especially at the bargain price of $2.99 for all three songs.

About Rhetta Akamatsu

I am an author of non-fiction books and an online journalist. My books include Haunted Marietta, The Irish Slaves, T'ain't Nobody's Business If I Do: Blues Women Past and Present, Southern Crossroads: Georgia Bluesand Sex Sells: Women in Photography and Film.

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