NICK CATANESE Says 'Shot To Hell' Is 'The New Beginning' Of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

Deb Rao of Glam-Metal.com reports that the Hard Rock Café in Pittsburgh hosted a very special BLACK LABEL SOCIETY "Shot to Hell" listening party with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Nick "Evil Twin" Catanese on September 5. The event included a very special induction of the ET signature Washburn guitar and vest.

The long line of die-hard BLACK LABEL SOCIETY fans rolled down Station Square to get into the venue, to meet the BLS guitarist and to hear the new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY CD, "Shot to Hell', which will be released on September 12 via Roadrunner Records. Catanese greeted many family and friends, which included Eric McKenna, owner of Boogie Street Guitars, and Nick's Mom and Dad, who were also in attendance. There were many prizes given away, including the grand prize, which consisted of an ET signature guitar.

The evening included a VIP dinner with the "Evil Twin," a very special question-and-answer segment, and "Shot to Hell" listening party from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.

After the party, Deb Rao had the opportunity to sit down with Catanese and discuss "Shot to Hell", the new single and video "Concrete Jungle", the recently released "The European Invasion - Doom Troopin'" DVD, and the upcoming BLACK LABEL SOCIETY tour. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Glam-Metal.com: What is it like performing with Zakk Wylde, who is one of the true guitar heroes of our generation, every night onstage with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY? What has performing with Zakk taught you as a musician?

Nick: "Zakk has taught me to just be yourself. Practice all the time. You can NEVER be good enough. Play from the heart and be yourself."

Glam-Metal.com: In your opinion, how does "Shot to Hell" compare to the previous BLS albums?

"'Shot to Hell' has everything — great heavy grooves, slow piano songs for the 'Book of Shadows' people. It has everything, I think. 'Shot to Hell' is just the start , we have been going strong for 10 years, but this is the NEW beginning of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY."

Glam-Metal.com: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are known for their stellar guitar work. How do you manage to capture the live sound so flawlessly on "The European Invasion - Doom Troopin'"? The DVD is so well produced, and with no overdubs on guitar.

Nick: "It's just called 10 years of brotherhood. It is just like brothers and sisters know what the next is thinking or doing. It's been that way for Zakk and I. He is my older brother, case closed."

Glam-Metal.com: What was the vibe of the audience, when BLS performed "In This River"? Were you amazed of the impact that Dimebag had on so many fans worldwide and in Europe?

Nick: "No, I wasn't shocked at all. Dime made his mark by being the real person that he was and is. He is always felt and will never go away. His music and legacy will be forever and when we do, 'In the River', it is always for him."

Glam-Metal.com: How did you deal with the different situations onstage while performing in Europe? How did you keep your chops in shape very day? Do you practice a pinch harmonic scale before you take the stage to warm up?

Nick: "No, in fact I don't warm up as much as I should . That guitar never leaves Zakk's hands. But I will go up onstage maybe 15 minutes before and just get some blood in the digits."

The entire interview will be posted soon at Glam-Metal.com.