Artemis Records has announced the signing of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, featuring legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde, to an exclusive worldwide licensing, multi-album contract. An album of all-new material, "Mafia", is slated for a March 8, 2005 release. Artemis Chairman/CEO Danny Goldberg commented, "Zakk Wylde is one of the greatest guitar players of all time and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is poised to become one of the world's biggest rock bands".

A regular on the covers of such esteemed magazines as Guitar World, Guitar One and Guitar Player, in 1987 at the tender age of 19, an unknown Zakk Wylde was hand-picked by OZZY OSBOURNE to be his lead guitarist. In addition to his responsibilities as Ozzy's main axe slinger, Wylde was responsible for co-writing many of Osbourne's best-selling multi-platinum albums, including "No Rest for the Wicked", "No More Tears" and "Ozzmosis". The current issue of Guitar One (Holiday 2004) again features Wylde on the cover. Guitar World has recently described Wylde's skills as "skull-crushing electric prowess."

Wylde's musical mastery has spawned numerous instrument product endorsements. His signature products include four custom Gibson guitars, a custom Epiphone guitar, a limited run Marshall amplifier (which sold out in one day), EMG pick-Ups, GHS strings and Dunlop pedals. Wylde can be seen prominently featured on the current MTV series "Battle For Ozzfest".

In 1998, Wylde formed his own band, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, while still maintaining his role as Osbourne's lead guitarist. In BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, Wylde serves as sole songwriter, lead vocalist and of course, lead guitar player. To date, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has released six albums and has sold in excess of one million units worldwide.

Source:blabbermouth.net