UPDATE: Zakk’s wife and co-manager, Barbaranne Wylde, has confirmed the signing to E1.
UPDATE 2: E1 has confirmed the signing. See the full press release after the jump.
It’s being rumored that legendary guitarist-slash-unintentional humorist Zakk Wylde has signed Black Label Society to E1 Records. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, Wylde has previously announced that a new album is on track for a June release.
This would be an extension of E1’s recent metal spending spree, as the label has signed or released records from high-profile metal acts In Flames, Hatebreed, Otep, Throwdown, Overkill, Satyricon and High On Fire in the last 18 months or so. Signing these acts are likely safe bets for E1, as they have a strong built-in fanbase and don’t need the development work required for new acts. When talking about hardcore fan bases, no one can argue that BLS’ following is one of the most loyal.
We will keep you updated about the signing as more is confirmed.
January 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:E1 MUSIC SIGNS BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
FEATURING GUITAR ICON ZAKK WYLDE, BLS’S NEW ALBUM IS DUE OUT SUMMER 2010
(New York, NY) ― E1 Music announces the addition of guitar icon Zakk Wylde’s band, Black Label Society, to its rock and metal roster. The two album deal covers North America exclusively.
Wylde formed Black Label Society (BLS) in 1994 as a vehicle for his own artistic vision: uncompromising, unfiltered, no bullshi* rock’n’roll. The band quickly became a touring juggernaut and went on to release seven successful studio albums which have sold well over a million and a half albums total.
Wylde has been no stranger to success over the years. At only 19 years old, he was tapped to join Ozzy Osbourne’s band as lead guitarist and co-writer. He performed with Osbourne for nearly twenty years. While under Osbourne’s tutelage, he formed Black Label Society and in the decade since, BLS has turned the notion of what a rock band should be upside down by inspiring legions of fans (known as Berserkers) all over the world to follow the mantra: Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever. SDMF for short, the Berserkers, along with Wylde have created a heavy metal institution true to his vision of uncompromising, unfiltered and unrestrained rock and roll.
E1 Music VP of Metal Scott Givens comments on the deal, “Rarely does the opportunity come along to sign an artist as talented, influential and important as Zakk Wylde. I am thrilled to welcome him to the E1 Music Group. He is the future of our company and all of us are battle ready to go to the wall for him.”
Zakk Wylde said about the pairing, “I’ve known Scott Givens since I first joined Ozzy, and we’ve always looked for an opportunity to work together…everything came together at E1. I cannot wait to bring new BLS Nationwide on E1!”Black Label Society will release a new studio album in late summer 2010. The band will also embark on its annual BLACK LABEL BASH tour in the fall.
Black Label Society is managed by Bob Ringe at Survival Management.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries. The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1’s extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, Kids content, Licensing and Distribution. E1’s content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks.
