Black Label Society - Shot To Hell

by Luke Ramsden

If Black Label Society get just one kid interested enough to check out say Black Sabbath, it will be mission accomplished

"But the primary purpose of this release raises the question as to whether this genre has very much fallen into a niche it can’t get out of. Nu-metal killed the guitar star. "

Zakk Wylde (touring Ozzy guitarist, Black Label Society lynchpin and all round axe-god) is undoubtedly a talented man. He is respected as being one of the greatest living guitar players on the planet. You won’t find too many who argue that point. But the primary purpose of this release raises the question as to whether this genre has very much fallen into a niche it can’t get out of. Nu-metal killed the guitar star.

It’s a sad issue, because the Zakk Wyldes of this world are legitimately talented musicians, musicians who can do more with their instruments of choice than anyone else. In any other profession surely this would put them at the top of the pile? However, it seems the truly talented guitarists are doomed to have only the black clad trolls march into battle for them, rather than the trendsetters and commercial pop pickers of this world. It’s frustrating, but that’s music. Respect from other musicians is one thing but it’s unlikely to pay the bills.

So in 2006, the appeal of the guitar solo, regimental drum slammage and growled vocals is very much in decline. (Is it really, given the success of bands like Trivium and Dragonforce?! - Metal Ed) Black Label Society are flying the flag in fine fashion and fighting hard for the respect they deserve and perhaps in 1987 an album like this would be heralded as a must-have. But as much as pains to state it, it’s time has passed. Covering the timespace between Guns 'n' Roses all the way up to Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, with a healthy dose of Black Sabbath, ‘Shot To Hell’ is almost more about the nostalgia factor than appearing to be anything revolutionary.

To aim to be anything like that would be somewhat obsolete as metals ship has sailed, but in this day and age if Black Label Society get just one kid interested enough to check out say Black Sabbath, it will be mission accomplished. ‘Shot To Hell’ will probably be up there with the best example of the genre to be released this year. For what it is, it’s great. It’s got the Roadrunner seal of approval, it’s got Ozzy Osborne's seal of approval. What more do you want?

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