After spending several years with Ozzy Osbourne and recording one album with the heavy Southern rock trio Pride & Glory, guitarist Zakk Wylde released his debut solo album, Book of Shadows, in June of 1996. Naturally, the album is a guitar showcase, with each song boasting a dazzling guitar solo or two. That much was expected. What is a surprise is the musical diversity apparent throughout the album. Wylde does kick out some heavy riff-driven rockers, but he also detours into blues, country, and folk on occasion. That diversity ensures that Book of Shadows is more listenable for the average listener than most guitarist-led albums. However, Wylde's songwriting skills remain weak; although the playing is memorable, the melodies rarely are. Nevertheless, there's enough prime instrumental work here to make it a very worthwhile listen for guitar aficionados and a few of the tracks should satiate fans of straight-ahead heavy boogie rock. [Book of Shadows was reissued in 1999 with a bonus disc, containing the non-LP cuts "Evil Ways," "The Color Green," and "Peddlers of Death."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
book of shadows is the greatest cd i've ever owned. all of his ozzy stuff was good and pride and glory was great and i've purchased every black lable society cd without much disappointment, but they all pale in comparison to book of shadows. "his melodies aren't memorable.." my a**!
zakk wyldes musicianship overshadows all of his faults, yes he does have some, but every musician has their own faults. he has a great voice, and is one of the last truly great guitarists left.
I have to agree to some extent with the author of this review, although Zakk Wylde is a great musician, his songwriting tallent is just a little bit limited, you can tell if you read the lyrics and see that for one there arent very many at all and for two those same lyrics are repeated quite a bit(theyre not bad lyrics by any means though) but Zakk makes up for it with his instrumental skill and the shere heart and emotion he puts into all of his music.
STRONGLY disagree!!! Zakk's talent in ALL areas of music is very apparent on this album. This is one that would go with me if I was on a deserted island and had only a few albums to choose from! Book of Shadows is amazing!