Before Black Label Society in 1998, there was a Zakk Wylde fronted project titled Pride and Glory. The band allowed Wylde to visit the musical roots that inspired him. The formation of Wylde’s project came after he had two albums under his belt with Ozzy Osbourne. The results of this effort was the one and only self-titled release of Pride and Glory on Geffen Records in June 1994.
The album wasn’t in the vein of what Wylde was part of in the Osbourne camp. The Pride and Glory sound had more of a southern rock and blues vibe which featured instrumental variations including the banjo, harmonica and mandolin. The sound was in another realm of what future followers and chapter members would become accustomed to.
After the initial release of the Pride and Glory album, the disc would be re-release several years later by Spitfire Records in 1999 as a two disc set.
Twenty years later and a solid label that Wylde calls home for Black Label Society, the Pride and Glory album is seeing the light of day not only in CD format but in a double vinyl picture disc set as well. The release of self – titled Pride and Glory is set to hit the streets courtesy of Entertainment One (eOne) on Friday, October 25, 2019.
The release features the original 14 – tracks as well as five bonus tracks of “The Wizard” (Black Sabbath), “In My Time of Dyin’” (Led Zeppelin) “Come Together” (Beatles), “The Hammer and the Nail” and “Torn and Tattered” on a second disc in the CD release. and two additional bonus tracks.
Those new to the Wylde Pride and Glory era album may recognize “Losin’ Your Mind” and “Horse Called War”, both originally released as promotional singles and videos. Whereas the track “Troubled Wine” may be familiar as it was released as a single as well but no video.
Those entering the Pride and Glory era as uncharted territory to the ears should not be expecting the caffeine fueled guitar riffing of current day Zakk Wylde material. The Pride and Glory material is at the opposite end of the Wylde spectrum but there are moments of heaviness such as “The Chosen One” which features some orchestral arrangements.
As for the arrangements of the bonus tracks on the second disc, these songs are not carbon copies of the originals. The offerings are definitely unique such as “Come Together.” As for Led Zeppelin’s “In My Time of Dyin’” and Black Sabbath’s The Wizard”, Wylde’s delivers these versions with honesty and justice.
Preceding the covers on the second disc, an acoustical version of “Machine Gun Man” and an alternate version of “Mother Mary” have been included for seven tracks total and 21 over all for the two discs.
The Pride and Glory album provides the listener with an insightful view of Wylde’s songwriting in his early days. The flavor of Wylde is there, it’s just solid bluesy hard rock worthy of more than just a few spins.
Photo Courtesy of Entertainment One
