Engines of Demolition (Apple Music Deluxe Edition)

Led by long-time Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society return with their 12th album of outlaw groove metal, their first since 2021’s Doom Crew Inc. Written and recorded between legs of the Pantera reunion tour, on which Wylde replaced fallen guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Engines of Demolition is one of BLS’s most accomplished and memorable releases to date. The opening trifecta of “Name in Blood”, “Gatherer of Souls” and “The Hand of Tomorrows Grave” is a non-stop riff-fest, with the latter revelling in mid-’70s Sabbath vibes before giving way to a killer harmonised bridge and tasteful solo. Soulful ballads come in the form of the countrified “Better Days & Wiser Times”, the wistful “Back to Me” and the touching piano closer “Ozzy’s Song”, a fitting tribute to Wylde’s dearly departed friend and bandmate.