BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's new album, Catacombs Of The Black Vatican, will be released in Europe on April 7th via Mascot Label Group and in North America on April 8th via eOne Music. Frontman Zakk Wylde recently spoke with Guitar International about the release:

GI: What can BLS fans expect?

Zakk Wylde: "I think this is probably our finest dance record to date. I think it’s the combination of dance and jazzercise. I’m confident that you’ll burn the most calories and lose the most weight with this new Black Label offer."

GI: But does it have a good beat?

Zakk Wylde: "Yes, a very good beat. It’s a toe-tapper; let’s put it that way (laughs)."

GI: I wouldn’t expect anything less!

Zakk Wylde: "As far as what makes this one different than any other ones. it’s like the last nine records except that it’s got different song titles. I always think its funny, you know.

What’s the difference between LED ZEPPELIN’s Houses of the Holy and Led Zeppelin IV? It’s just a new batch of cool Led Zeppelin songs. With this one and Order of the Black, it’s just back to doing riffs again, instead of the mellow stuff like on Unblackened.

Even though it was four years between records, I’m not sitting around the house stockpiling riffs. Usually in the morning when I pick up the guitar, I’ll make some Valhalla Java. I’m always the first one up now, because I’m not drinking anymore. I’ll pick up the acoustic guitar and run scales. If I’m going to write anything, it would be like Bob Seger-esque or Sweet Melissa or Neil Young, because that’s what the instrument dictates. Strumming those Creedence-type stuff.

I’ll have a bunch of song ideas, acoustic song ideas. When we got home after the Gigantour, I was like, “Barb, how much time before the fellows come back?” She’s like, 'Well, you’ve got about 25 days and the guys will be here.' I’m like, 'Well, I’ve got 25 days to write a record.' You just go out to the garage and just start writing riffs."

Click here for the complete interview.

The cover art and tracklisting for Catacombs Of The Black Vatican are as follows:

'Fields Of Unforgiveness'

'My Dying Time'

'Believe'

'Angel Of Mercy'

'Heart Of Darkness'

'Beyond The Down'

'Scars'

'Damn The Flood'

'I've Gone Away'

'Empty Promises'

'Shades Of Gray'

'Dark Side Of The Sun' (bonus track)

'The Nomad' (bonus track)

Check out an album trailer below:

Next month Zakk Wylde will embark upon a 13-city solo tour across Canada, featuring intimate versions of some of Black Label Society's most popular songs, as well as tunes from Wylde's best-selling solo album Book Of Shadows, and Southern rock band PRIDE & GLORY.

Tour dates:

February

13 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
14 - Duncan, BC - Cowichan Theatre
15 - Kelowna, BC - Level
17 - Edmonton, AB - The Ranch
18 - Calgary, AB - Flames Central
19 - Medicine Hat, AB - The Esplanade Arts Centre
21 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
22 - Saskatoon, SK - Broadway Theater
23 - Winnipeg, MB - Garrick Theatre
24 - Thunder Bay, ON - Crocks
26 - London, ON - London Music Hall
27 - Toronto, ON - The Danforth Music Hall
28 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre