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Black Label Society - Shot To Hell

If you’re not familiar with the likes of the Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, then your ears have been saved (or rather, have missed out on) a man capable of writing raw bowel ripping riffs and pinch harmonic laden solos. He then contrasts this with some lighter ballad tracks featuring melodic vocals, piano backing and some guitar virtuosity. This is the 8th studio album from Black Label Society, and it’s a cracker.

This is the first album the band have released from Roadrunner records; a label synonymous with the hard rock and metal genre of music. The album is typical of the Black Label Society (BLS) style of low register vocals, pumping mechanical riffs, elaborate guitar lines, and screeching solos. The album is like a huge industrial factory stacked with heavy machinery. "Shot to Hell" was leaked onto the internet on 23rd August 2006, but officially released on the 12th September.

The first track, "Concrete Jungle" starts with a wah like riff (yaah as opposed to a waah!) that pops up again throughout the track. Not a bad opener, but the best is still to come.

The second track, "Black Mass Reverends" really gets the track going. A simple bass riff intro is replaced by a rough guitar riff embellished with wavey pinch harmonics - a signature sound for Mr Wylde. The solo starts to set the tone for the album with yet more harmonics and wah soaked bends, all this backed with a slow and determined drum / guitar pattern.

Blacked Out World follows on with a similar sound. The 4th track "The Last Goodbye" is the first ballad track and perhaps the emotion following the death of Dimebag Darrell is still a source of inspiration for tracks - such as "In This River" from the Mafia album. Another teriffic song.

"Give Yourself to Me" is a quick return to the heavy streak before the second ballad track "Nothing’s The Same".

"Hell Is High" thunders back into the fray again, and we begin to see an on-off mix of ballad and metal tracks. "New Religion" starts off with a piano melody and is then joined with a more orchestral backing. Very moody and perhaps sad - but this quietens and fades into a total wave of power riffs, squeals, and Zakk’s vocals. This is perhaps one of the best tracks (in my opinion) on the album.

The following track "Sick of It All" is a ballad again - starting with an almost oriental pipe / strings sound. The track is a close contended for the best of the album. The vocals are brilliant, the solo is wailing, and flows well through the final stages of the song. The only criticism is that it’s perhaps a little sharp for the overall tone of the track.

"Faith Is Blind" wins another award for the most crushing riffs. Wylde has his guitar detuned to the floor and chugs along with the drums to produce a bombardment on the senses. This track is teriffic.

"Blood is Thicker than Water" is an acoustic backed track twinned with a lead line that sound almost like a flute. The track is topped with the typical raging solo.

The penultimate song "Devil’s Dime" is a very simple upbeat track, token widdely solo, and typical lyrics. The shortest track on the album, and a bit dull if I’m honest.

"Lead me to your Door" closes the album with another ballad. 

Whilst I’m not a die-hard Black Label Society fan, this album is certainly on my playlist. Whilst it may sound a bit samey when playing the CD from front to back. For fans, I would reccomend the album, for anyone into hard rock or metal - this is also a reccomended album!

Buy this now from: amazon.co.uk