BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

A devoted disciple of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, Zakk Wylde built his reputation after joining Ozzy Osbourne’s band. In 1987, at just 20 years old, Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt became known as Zakk Wylde when he took over as Ozzy’s guitarist— stepping into the role previously held by legends like Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee. He could have faced rejection, but instead, he won over the fans and became one of the Madman’s favorites. It’s no surprise that Zakk joined Pantera for the “Back to the Beginning” celebration on July 5, 2025, an event that reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup and marked Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell to the stage.

Zakk masters pinch harmonics with the same authority that Chuck Berry immortalized the duck walk. He has graced the cover of Guitar World more than a dozen times, recognized both for his work on Ozzy’s multi-platinum albums—he affectionately calls Ozzy “The Boss”—and for his long-running career leading the Black Label Society. His iconic bullseye Les Paul rests in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while his bell-bottom pants are part of the Grammy Museum collection. Zakk also has his handprints immortalized on the Hollywood Rock Walk, earned a Grammy alongside Ozzy, and co-wrote many of the classic tracks on Ozzmosis and No More Tears.

Within Black Label Society, Zakk serves as both vocalist and guitarist, joined by Dario Lorina (guitar), John DeServio (bass), and Jeff Fabb (drums). While continuing to honor Pantera’s legacy, Zakk is also working on the follow-up to “Doom Crew Inc.” (2021), previewed by the singles “The Gallows” and “Lord Humungus.” “In the past, you’d make the album, shoot the videos, and then go on tour. Now, we release singles and videos along the way, so when it’s time to hit the road, we’ve already built up momentum,” he explained.

Since building his Black Vatican Studio at home in 2010, Zakk has enjoyed total creative freedom to transform ideas into finished songs, already aiming for the band’s 12th studio album since its founding in 1998. With their heavy, bluesy, chaotic, and unrelenting sound, the quartet delivers a mix of raw aggression and electrifying performance—a caffeine- fueled sonic storm both live and on record. Their songs serve as anthems of celebration and mourning, soundtracking both explosive nights and turbulent days. So when Zakk takes the stage at Bangers Open Air 2026, many will witness firsthand that the biker-style battle vest bearing the Black Label Society emblem is as iconic in rock and metal shows as the classic black T-shirt itself.