Black Label Society

Mafia

Artemis Records

One thing that has plagued the last few BLS albums is the lack of originality. Zakk Wylde is dangerously close to what a lot of people despise about Iced Earth. Same tone. Same time signature. Same. Same. Same. Mafia is, by all intents and purposes, a rather forgettable album; only saved by the band name.

The familiar ingredients are there and in place (ripping solos and tough-guy attitude), and there are good songs here, and on occasion, there is some channelling of Alice in Chains during their more heavier moments, but overall, you get the feeling of déjà vu. You've heard it all before, and Zakk and his sonic brewmasters don't really give you much of anything that would make you want to go back repeatedly and listen to this album. A mediocre record at best, but in hindsight, I guess we shouldn't be expecting too much more.

Note: Includes an unlisted track, I Never Dreamed.

Chris Burnham