Book of Shadows (album)
Encyclopedia
Book of Shadows is the first solo album by the heavy metal
guitarist Zakk Wylde
. The album was first released in 1996, and was reissued by Spitfire
in 1999 with the bonus disc containing "Evil Ways" (the Japanese bonus track from the album's original release), "The Color Green", and "Peddlers of Death" (an acoustic version of a track that features on Black Label Society's Sonic Brew
).
Unlike his work with Ozzy Osbourne
and Black Label Society
, here Zakk Wylde shows a different side to his music; an introspective and mostly acoustic style recalling many of the lighter moments from his previous project, Pride & Glory
as well as classic folk rock
artists such as Neil Young
.
Promotional singles were released for "Between Heaven and Hell
" and "Way Beyond Empty
", the latter of which also had an accompanying music video.
"Throwin' It All Away" was written about the death of Shannon Hoon
from the band Blind Melon
. Shannon and Zakk had lived together and become close friends a few months before he died of a drug overdose.
Production
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarist Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde
Zachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
. The album was first released in 1996, and was reissued by Spitfire
Spitfire Records
Spitfire Records was a subdivision of Eagle Rock Entertainment located in New York, United States.In September 1998, Paul Bibeau founded, launched and rapidly developed Spitfire Records Inc. from a two-man operation located in his home bedroom in suburban Long Island, New York, to one of the...
in 1999 with the bonus disc containing "Evil Ways" (the Japanese bonus track from the album's original release), "The Color Green", and "Peddlers of Death" (an acoustic version of a track that features on Black Label Society's Sonic Brew
Sonic Brew
-Notes:* The song "Mother Mary" originated as an unreleased Pride & Glory demo, a live version of which was performed during Pride & Glory's set at the Donington Monsters of Rock Festival in 1994...
).
Unlike his work with Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
and Black Label Society
Black Label Society
Black Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums released since formation of the band.-Formation and Sonic Brew :...
, here Zakk Wylde shows a different side to his music; an introspective and mostly acoustic style recalling many of the lighter moments from his previous project, Pride & Glory
Pride and Glory (band)
Pride and Glory was a side project for Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde. This was Zakk's first self-fronted project, then he released his solo-album Book of Shadows in 1996...
as well as classic folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
artists such as Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
.
Promotional singles were released for "Between Heaven and Hell
Between Heaven And Hell (song)
"Between Heaven and Hell" was a promotional single from Zakk Wylde's acclaimed acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows. It was released for radio play only and no video was made since promotional interest from Geffen was at an all-time low regarding Wylde, after which he parted ways with the...
" and "Way Beyond Empty
Way Beyond Empty
"Way Beyond Empty" is a song by Zakk Wylde, released as the lead single from his acclaimed acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows. A music video accompanied the song, recorded on the streets of Los Angeles.-Personnel:*Zakk Wylde - Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica...
", the latter of which also had an accompanying music video.
"Throwin' It All Away" was written about the death of Shannon Hoon
Shannon Hoon
Richard Shannon Hoon was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He was the frontman and lead singer of the band Blind Melon until his death from a cocaine overdose in 1995.-Early life:...
from the band Blind Melon
Blind Melon
Blind Melon is an American rock band active from 1989 to 1999, and from 2006 onward.Best remembered for their 1993 single "No Rain", the group enjoyed critical and commercial success in the early 1990s with their neo-psychedelic take on alternative rock...
. Shannon and Zakk had lived together and become close friends a few months before he died of a drug overdose.
Disc One
- "Between Heaven and HellBetween Heaven And Hell (song)"Between Heaven and Hell" was a promotional single from Zakk Wylde's acclaimed acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows. It was released for radio play only and no video was made since promotional interest from Geffen was at an all-time low regarding Wylde, after which he parted ways with the...
" – 3:26 - "Sold My Soul" – 4:52
- "Road Back Home" – 5:48
- "Way Beyond EmptyWay Beyond Empty"Way Beyond Empty" is a song by Zakk Wylde, released as the lead single from his acclaimed acoustic solo album, Book of Shadows. A music video accompanied the song, recorded on the streets of Los Angeles.-Personnel:*Zakk Wylde - Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica...
" – 5:25 - "Throwin' It All Away" – 5:47
- "What You're Look'n For" – 5:31
- "Dead As Yesterday" – 2:51
- "Too Numb To Cry" – 2:23
- "The Things You Do" – 4:11
- "1,000,000 Miles Away" – 6:29
- "I Thank You Child" – 4:41
Disc Two
- "Evil Ways" – 4:13 (Original Japanese bonus track)
- "The Color Green" – 3:05
- "Peddlers Of Death" – 5:51 (later re-arranged and re-recorded with Black Label SocietyBlack Label SocietyBlack Label Society is a heavy metal band formed by Zakk Wylde, with nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one EP, and three video albums released since formation of the band.-Formation and Sonic Brew :...
for the Sonic BrewSonic Brew-Notes:* The song "Mother Mary" originated as an unreleased Pride & Glory demo, a live version of which was performed during Pride & Glory's set at the Donington Monsters of Rock Festival in 1994...
album)
Personnel
- Zakk WyldeZakk WyldeZachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
– lead and backing vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, electricElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
s, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on "1,000,000 Miles Away" - Joe VitaleJoe Vitale (musician)Joe Vitale is an American musician primarily known as a drummer but also a flautist, keyboardist and singer. He has played with many of the top names in music during a career dating back to the 1970s.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, keyboards, piano on "I Thank You Child" - James LoMenzoJames LomenzoJames "JLo" LoMenzo is a metal bassist known for his roles as a former member of White Lion and Megadeth. He is also known for his work in Black Label Society .-Past bands and other works :...
– bass guitar
- Additional background vocals on "Way Beyond Empty" by John Sambataro
Production
- ProducedRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and recorded by Ron Albert and Howard AlbertThe Albert BrothersThe Albert Brothers are two recording engineer brothers, Ron Albert and Howard Albert, who are best known for their work on various recordings at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, founded and owned by Mack Emerman... - MixedAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
by Bob ClearmountainBob ClearmountainBob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
, assisted by Ryan Freeland - Strings arranged and conducted by Mike Lewis
- Recording engineers: Greg Goldman, Ron Albert, Howard Albert, Eric Gobel, Frank Cesarano
- MasteredAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
by David J. Donnelly