That is Zakk Wylde. (real name: Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt… but we prefer ‘Zakk Wylde’ as well. If one is to choose a rock name for oneself, Mr. Wylde seems to have picked a solid one.)
Best known as long-time Ozzy Osbourne guitarist.
He is also garnered a fair degree of fame fronting his greasy dirt-metal infused Black Label Society.
Also a savvy businessman, in 2015 at the NAMM Trade show, Wylde debuted his new company, Wylde Audio, featuring a new line of custom amplifiers and effects.
2016 will see Zakk shifting his focus onto the release of his second solo album. His first solo effort was released way back in 1996 entitled, “Book of Shadows”. Twenty years later… “Book of Shadows II” is slated to drop in April via eOne Music.
Recorded in Wylde’s home studio, the frontman recently spoke to Phoenix News Times about the new album, “For the ‘Book Of Shadows II’ record, we ended up having about 40 basic tracks we put down. It’s an immersive-type style for Black Label. You know, acoustic, piano, but electric guitar in there as well.”
His brief description does not do justice to the lush, deep layers of acoustic guitars and emotive song writing. This album should shine a brighter light on one of the most talented guitarists in metal history.
He makes no secret his main inspiration was also a long-time guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, the late great Randy Rhoads.
After you check out the absolutely shredding guitar solo on the advance released track, “Sleeping Dogs”… it should be evident that while Zakk Wylde might have started out in the shadow of the legendary Rhoads, a career of honing his craft has placed him in the same echelon as his idol.
This is a stone smooth groove…
