Shot to Hell marks
Black Label Society's debut for
Roadrunner Records, following a six-year relationship with
Spitfire summarized on the previous year's
Kings of Damnation: Era 1998-2004 compilation.
Shot to Hell may mark a new era for
Zakk Wylde and company, yet not much has changed artistically, no doubt to the relief of fans. Over the course of 13 songs, the band showcases impressive musicianship, incorporating occasional moodiness and balladic touches into its otherwise charging style of
metal. The usual comparisons to
Alice in Chains,
Pantera, and
Corrosion of Conformity are as apt as ever, with
Wylde's vocals especially reminiscent of
AIC. The album-opening
"Concrete Jungle" is an instant highlight, kicking off the album in high fashion, while the piano
ballad "The Last Goodbye" is another, highlighting
Wylde's songwriting talent, as is
"Nothing's the Same," another mellow song. While
Shot to Hell offers nothing that past
Black Label Society releases haven't, and nothing revelatory enough to convince those so far unconvinced of the band's continuing worth, anyone interested in more of the band's consistent output from year to year should find plenty to enjoy here. ~ Jason Birchmeier
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