Black
Label Society is breaking bottles and expectations, but does their
stage performance translate correctly onto the new album, Shot To
Hell.
BLS veered a new direction creating a fissure of heavy early rock,
arena anthem sensibility and Zakk Wylde’s trademark- distortion
falling in and echoing all the way down.
Just
like the nuns playing pool on the album sleeve, there was obliviously
something on the line with this album.
The first couple of songs are concrete foundations laid by all
of the group’s inspirations coming straight through. A fellow
writer described the album as “eight-balls” and skulls,
but that’s only half of the content.
Wylde and his extended guitar solos match up the ever present golden
age of rock mantra. Lyrics stretch out from the beginning of
the metal scene. Aggressive riffs and content satisfy the rock junkie,
despite missing denim patches and spiked cuffs.
Black
Label Society performs one of their many hits in front of their rabid
fans live in concert.
Obviously
half of the album was tracked. You can burn your money on the speeding
ticket you acquire if you’re listening to it in the car. That’s
only half the album.
The other half of the album appears misplaced, starting from
track number four, “The Last Goodbye.”
That song isn’t necessarily out of place, but it’s slow;
a pensive track that proceeds between every other song. It’s
like two different decks of cards that were shuffled together. You
can see the disproportionate edges jutting out when one song ends
and the other begins.
At first, it’s very confusing even if you’ve never heard
any BLS CD’s or songs. However, the reminiscent songs contain
a quality all to themselves. Just like the heavier songs, they match
the 1980’s tried and true formula of a head banger, then ballad.
It was the norm for every album. Yes, even Metallica’s self
titled black album, followed that protocol. The linear notes it say
that Wylde produced and wrote the entire album, but you may end up
questioning that. Anybody who has been a fan of Wylde’s from
his goatee days to his now ZZ Top beard will either embrace this album
or completely hate it.
New listeners will also be brought to that crossroads. If given the
chance, the differences will meld and you’ll be playing a deck
containing two aces of spades like the album seems to want.
Expect Shot To Hell to be playing in a smoked-out pool hall,
where the ordinance isn’t enforced and all the shooters are
just waiting for the first pool cue to crack and the first chair to
be thrown.
It’s not only going to be played there. People who like it there
will play it when they get together with their old ladies. If you
like any Wylde projects, then you have to listen to it to make your
own opinion.
This album is recommended if you like to bring a 5 a.m., hard-night-out
home with you. I recommend creating a mix tape, or in modern terms
burn yourself a CD, with all songs in the order that you like them
because they will only make sense that way.
