ALBUM REVIEW ~ ZAKK SABBATH ~ 'DOOMED FOREVER FOREVER DOOMED'

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Zakk Sabbath, the stellar tribute led by Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera), has returned with the double album Doomed Forever Forever Doomed released on March 1, 2024, via Magnetic Eye Records.

Zakk Sabbath was founded by guitarist and singer Zakk Wylde in 2014. Initially, the band performed live with rotating members. A permanent cast was cemented with the addition of bass player Blasko (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) and drummer Joey “C” Castillo (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age). The trio revisits the classic songs with doom, gloom, and a lot of metal!

Doomed Forever Forever Doomed pays tribute to Black Sabbath’s second and third full-length albums, Paranoid and Master of Reality. This epic collection is a homage to the pioneers of heavy metal by not straying too far from the signature sound we all know and love. However, this is not a cover album. Listeners can expect Zakk Wylde’s trademark guitars and bluesy gravel with Castillo’s attack on drums, and Blasko’s chugging bass.

While all of the songs are fantastic testimonials to Birmingham’s most famous four, the tracks hitting the spot for me are “Hand of Doom”, “Fairies Wear Boots”, the classic stoner anthem “Sweet Leaf”, ‘Children of the Grave”, and “Into the Void”. The pièce de résistance is the beautiful interpretation of “Planet Caravan”.

The double album was recorded at the Black Vatican and Clear Lake Audio, produced by Zakk Wylde, and engineered by Jay Ruston and Adam Fuller respectively. Łukasz Jaszak was the creative mastermind behind the artwork layout.

One caveat is that Doomed Forever Forever Doomed is available in physical form. That is an advantage because it is a musical experience only vinyl, CD, or cassette can provide. If you fall into the category who solely streams, you may want to change that habit if you love Black Sabbath and/or Black Label Society. The album melds the two forces, creating a fine combination. It’s a no-brainer to purchase the double album if you enjoy either one or both bands. Don’t sleep on this though. Copies are limited and are selling fast. As for me, I’m going to slap on my headphones and listen to this again with a few buds!

Review by I’m Music Magazine Writer Sherry Thomas