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Black Label Society
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Shot To Hell
Roadrunner Records
Release: 9/12/2006
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Rated:
Review by:
J Sherrod
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As much as I would love to use the phrase "Zakk is back!"
and mean it, I just can't. Zakk Wylde's band Black Label
Society's new album Shot To Hell is slightly
better than last years Mafia, but not by much.
After years with Spitfire Records followed by one Artemis
Records release, BLS is now on long-time metal label
Roadrunner Records. Sadly, a new label doesn't bring a new
or fresh sound.
Now let me set the record straight. I'm a huge BLS fan, as
well as a longtime fan of Zakk himself. From his beginnings
as the young, big-haired axe-man for the Godfather of metal
Ozzy Osbourne, to what I believe is his greatest
achievement Pride & Glory, to the incredible Book Of
Shadows solo record through every BLS album to
present day, I've remained loyal to this guitar god. I, much
like other Zakk fans, have grown slightly dismayed with the
last couple of BLS releases.
The first two cuts off this record, "Concrete Jungle" and
"Black Mass Reverends" are true to form, leading one to
wonder, could this be Zakk's big return? "Crank 'em and
blow your speakers out!"?
The third song "Blacked Out World" starts with a funky
swamp soundin' groove that I'm lovin' and continues with
nice solid riffage. So far so good - but by the fourth track
"The Last Goodbye" 'ole Zakk whips out the first of five
ballads on the record (one being a piano instrumental). Even
though Zakk appears to be a big, hard, badass biker lookin'
dude, anyone who has followed his career knows he writes
some of the most heartfelt songs imaginable. These are
nice, but just not up to par.
I'll just get right down to brass tacks and state there ain't a
damn thing bad about Shot To Hell. The songs
are good, the vocals are good, the music is good and the
recording is good. Key word here being "good" - instead of
great.
Much like the last three BLS offerings, Shot To
Hell is just an average album from an anything but an
average musician. Luminaries like Henry Rollins, Mike Patton
and James Brown are renowned for being some of the
hardest working men in music. There's no question Zakk has
earned the right to stand among those for that title. Putting
out and annual BLS album, touring literally non-stop over the
last few years(even pulling double duty on several Ozzfests
with BLS and then with Ozzy in the same day) the man has
no understanding of the word downtime. Or perhaps just
doesn't care.
Having personally met Zakk twice, I respect him as a man
first and a musician second. I will forever be a proud Society
Dwelling Motherfucker and buy everything he releases - as
well as attending as many gatherings (shows) as possible.
That's just how we die-hard Zakk fans roll. I just offer one
small piece of advice to him should he ever read this:
All of us SDMFs know and respect your talent, capabilities
and work ethic. Just take some time off and let the creative
juices flow. May your next release be the monumental one
we all crave instead of the lack-luster ones of late. Either
way, I'll be representing the colors at your next show in
town.
J Sherrod (Nashville Chapter) |
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