ZAKK WYLDE Says Next BLS Album Will Have 'Heavy Riffs And Other Stuff Everyone Knows And Loves'

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has commenced work on the material for the follow-up to 2010's "Order Of The Black" for a tentative spring 2014 release. "[The band] has just been writing, writing, writing every day since we got home" from MEGADETH's Gigantour, BLS mainman Zakk Wylde tells Billboard.com.

"It'll have all the heavy riffs and other stuff everyone knows and loves," Wylde promises. "'Order Of The Black' was already three years ago, which is pretty insane. But the whole time we've been working, touring and stuff like that; it's not like we've been sitting around the house. It's crazy because back in the beginning of BLACK LABEL we were pumping out an album a year and constantly touring. But don't mind doing it this way, either."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new live DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video, "Unblackened", will be released on September 24 by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Zakk's label home, eOne Music, will also release the audio version of the "Unblackened" DVD under the same name. The double disc release will have six additional tracks not found on the DVD, including two acoustic versions of "Queen Of Sorrow" and "Won't Find It Here", and covers of LEON RUSSELL's "Song For You" and "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".

Since their early Nineties inception, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, formed and helmed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of hard rock. Their penchant for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. "Unblackened", however, unveils another side of the band.

Filmed and recorded on March 6 in high definition at Los Angeles' Club Nokia, "Unblackened" is BLACK LABEL SOCIETY presenting their songs in a whole new light, with greater use of acoustic instrumentation. Wylde plays both guitar and piano, with Nick Catanase on guitar, John DeServio on bass/vocals, Chad Szeliga on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards/piano, and Greg Locascio providing additional vocals.

Their stripped-down approach highlights the subtler nuances of the songwriting, without losing any of the fire or intensity. Classic tracks like "Stillborn", "The Blessed Hellride", "In This River", "Throwin' It All Away", "Losin' Your Mind" and many others are still punctuated by the stinging, searing solos that fans know and love, while showcasing the versatility of the band.

In addition to the concert, "Unblackened" is rich in bonus material. A new interview with Zakk, photo gallery, music video for "Losin' Your Mind", and a feature with Wylde visiting HM Prison Stocken in the U.K . are all included.