Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez has joined Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society for the remaining dates of Ozzfest, following the departure of bandmember S.O.B. due to medical reasons.

Wylde and Inez are longtime friends who have worked together on past Ozzy Osbourne albums, Wylde's manager said. He would not elaborate on S.O.B.'s condition.

Black Label Society, touring in support of Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live, were the first band to hit Ozzfest's main stage when the tour kicked off last week in Tinley Park, Illinois (see [article id="1444449"]"Metal Scrapes Against Metal At Ozzfest Opener"[/article]). Inez took over for S.O.B. beginning with Tuesday's show in Indianapolis.

Wylde has a slew of projects awaiting him when Ozzfest wraps in August. He is working with Ozzy on finishing his next album (see [article id="1444456"]"Ozzfest Reveals Clues To Ozzy's Future"[/article]), writing and recording the new theme song for WWF superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin and starting Black Label Society's third studio album.

On September 14, Wylde will appear on the big screen in "Rock Star," the film loosely based on the life of Judas Priest's Ripper Owens starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston (see [article id="1431836"]"Wahlberg's "Dragon," Megadeth, More To Play L.A."[/article]). Wylde is the guitarist in the film's fictional band and also recorded several songs for the soundtrack.

Alice in Chains — who haven't recorded a studio LP in six years — will release their second best-of album, Greatest Hits, on July 24 (see [article id="1444478"]"Alice In Chains Give Best They've Got — Again"[/article]).