Shot To Hell

Roadrunner

Black Label Society frontman and axe slinger, Zakk Wylde, has definitely achieved an undisputed amount of success apart from his work with Ozzy and it is no wonder that he be heralded as one of the most influential guitarists in Heavy Metal history. He has managed to keep his music hard-hitting and cutting-edge over the years and continues to hold the respect of both his fans and his peers. By never backing down from who he is or the talents he wields, he has built a monster that has ultimately redefined the attitude of Metal as we know it. Special praise is rightly given for his last three albums which included: The Blessed Hellride, Hangover Music, and Mafia. For his latest endeavor though, there is a lack of passion and inspiration.

Shot to Hell is Zakk’s debut release for Roadrunner Records and contains thirteen tracks of pure unadulterated Metal bliss, in contrast to his last three releases though, this album seems very rushed and without the dedication to writing that we’re used to getting in an BLS album. Much of the material seems like leftovers from previous work and fails to hold much interest. Now for diehard fans of course they will probably find nothing wrong here at all, but anyone with an open mind and a good ear can attest that, while it is not the worst we’ve ever heard, it also not the best. What I think makes this CD so hard to listen to is that it alternates between the heavy guitar anthems and soft piano ballads just a tad too much, making it difficult to vibe in on for any solid length of time. Perhaps if he’d taken the lighter material and saved it for another Hangover album it would have worked better.

Needless to say it is not my favorite album, but does offer up a few gems that should not be overlooked including: the opening track of the CD “Concrete Jungle”, the piano dominant “Sick Of It All”, the acoustic driven “Blood Is Thicker Than Water” and the erratic “Faith Is Blind” 

-Priest