BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's WYLDE On Drummer's Departure: 'I Told Him He's Welcome Back Any Time'

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY mainman Zakk Wylde spoke to U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine about the recent departure of the band's longtime drummer, Craig Nunenmacher, and addition of veteran rock skinsman Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, STATIC-X, DARK NEW DAY, TOMMY LEE, STUCK MOJO).

"Craig's left on good terms," says Wylde. "He wants to try some other music ideas, but I've told him that he's welcome back any time. That's the thing with this band. People come in, drink as much as they can, throw up, make some cash and then move on — but everyone's told they can return when they want.

"I know a load of drummers, but it was Jerry Cantrell [ALICE IN CHAINS] who recommended Will. The plan is for him to do the album and then tour with us. He's already said that he has commitments coming up with EVANESCENCE — but I've told him that's no problem, as long as he finds us someone else!"

Wylde also revealed to Classic Rock that, while he's no longer working with Ozzy Osbourne, his relationship with The Prince Of Darkness remains strong and positive.

"I met up with The Boss when we were both in New York recently," Zakk said. "The two of us, and mom (Ozzy's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne) and Barbaranne (Wylde's wife/manager) went out for dinner. That was such a blast!"

Nunenmacher left BLACK LABEL SOCIETY after spending nearly 10 years with the band.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's as-yet-untitled studio album is due for release this summer via Roadrunner Records in Europe and E1 Music in North America.

With the new flexibility of having a studio literally outside his home, Wylde expects to deliver his best material yet.

"With the home studio I have this flexibility when inspiration hits to lay down new ideas at anytime — day or night — for re-recording later," he said. "This freshness should prove inspiring — and some of these first takes might even make it on the album," he enthused.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's last studio album, "Shot to Hell" (2006),sold just under 32,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release — less than the 45,000 copies shifted by BLS's "Mafia" (Artemis) back in March 2005 — to land at position No. 21 on The Billboard 200 chart.