SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ZAKK SABBATH – DOOMED FOREVER FOREVER DOOMED

ZAKK SABBATH
DOOMED FOREVER FOREVER DOOMED
MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

Having earned the title as the definitive Black Sabbath tribute act due to their electrifying live show, Zakk Sabbath, led by Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera) and featuring Joey Castillo (Queens Of The Stone Age, Danzig) and Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) – has returned with their second studio record, Doomed Forever Forever Doomed. The double album cover’s Black Sabbath’s Paranoid and Master Of Reality and is available exclusively through a limited run of physical formats including vinyl, CD’s, and cassettes.

Doomed Forever Forever Doomed kicks off with the thunderous drums of “War Pigs” from Castillo, leading the band into their rendition of Black Sabbath’s 1970 release, Paranoid which takes up the first half of the cover album. “War Pigs” is an absolute sonic assault that, while faithful to the original, is significantly heavier; the drums hit harder, the bass is an all-consuming wave, and Wylde’s guitar squeals like a butchered pig. Impressively, his vocals continue to replicate that of Ozzy Osbourne in a surprisingly similar fashion. From the desolate beauty of “Planet Caravan”, featuring a soulful solo from Wylde, to essential classics like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” and deeper cuts such as “Electric Funeral”, the first half of Doomed Forever Forever Doomed is a stellar tribute to Paranoid. I’d also be remiss not to mention Castillo’s stellar drum solo, tasteful fills, and curated tones on “Rat Salad”.

The second half of the record covers Master Of Reality, Black Sabbath’s 1971 album, and arguably their greatest release. Kicking off with “Sweet Leaf”, one of the greatest Tony Iommi riffs ever, Zakk Sabbath continues to push forward as a tight unit that sounds absolutely monstrous and truly larger than life.  This half of the record shines for its contrasting nature between lush balladry, “Embryo”, “Orchid”, and “Solitude”, alongside material that is relentlessly heavy and overbrimming with doom, including such tracks as “Children Of The Grave” and “Into The Void”. Master Of Reality is an album of extremes and Zakk Sabbath is able to perform both with equal levels of conviction and intention.

Despite being an incredible faithful recreation of Black Sabbath’s second and third albums, save Wylde’s solos, Doomed Forever Forever Doomed breathes a new sense of life into the music of Black Sabbath in a way that few other cover projects could. Through modern recording, Zakk Sabbath has brought a thicker, meatier tone that fits with metal and hard rock of today. Through this, the music of Black Sabbath feels refreshingly modern, signifying a timeless quality to the original performance and songwriting. This is where Doomed Forever Forever Doomed soars as a tribute to the legacy of Black Sabbath. Quite interestingly, Zakk Sabbath has delivered a double album that will leave you simultaneously nostalgic for early ‘70s Sabbath while being captivated by their rendition. Without a doubt, Doomed Forever Forever Doomed is a truly special musical experience that is certain to be a gem among your record collection.

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