Zakk Wylde has proven himself possibly the busiest and most prolific metal guitarist of his generation, and the Viking-like guitar monolith has returned triumphantly with Black Label Society’s latest opus “The Blessed Hellride.”

While stints with Ozzy and his work with Pantera’s Dimebag Darrel have raised Wylde’s profile in the past decade, it is ultimately Black Label Society where the man truly shines as “The Blessed Hellride” dwarfs previous effort like last year’s “1919 Eternal” and “Sonic Brew.”

Drum-tight rhythms and Wylde’s trademark lightning-fast guitar licks and demonic squeals dominate the album as most of “Hellride” hearkens back to metal’s heyday.

Cuts like “Stoned and Drunk,” “Doomsday Jesus” and “Funeral Bell” are all propelled by chunky riffs and subtle hooks with Wylde’s guitar prowess ultimately taking center stage alongside gravely vocals. Even “Suffering Overdue” stands out as the band slows down the tune’s tempo and thrives on a swinging groove rather than Wylde’s typical blistering speed.

Likewise, slower tracks like the plodding “We Live No More” and the piano accompanied “Dead Meadow” may slow down tempos, but this does little to temper one of America’s leading metal bands. Even the acoustic jangle of the album’s title track is palatable as Wylde’s voice sounds almost soulful alongside strummed guitar chords.

“The Blessed Hellride” may catch flack from many BLS fans for being too slow in tempo or too devoid of Wylde’s signature licks, but the album may be the best representation to date as to what the band is capable of. Although not as intense as “1919 Eternal,” “The Blessed Hellride” combines the best elements of Wylde’s work alongside Ozzy and the best of what BLS is capable of.