Boston-based scribe Debby Rao recently spoke with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Nick Catanese about the band's current Shot To Hell release and tour.

The band are currently on the road touring in support of Shot To Hell (out on Roadrunner Records). In 1996, Nick hooked up with Zakk Wylde for the Book Of Shadows Tour, and has gone on to tour the world in BLS. The "Evil Twin" as Black Label Society fans know him has a guitar style that is reminiscent of his boss Zakk Wylde, and his late guitar hero "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

DR: Nick, thank you for checking in with this special Black Label Society interview and update. Black Label Society recently performed in Texas. How is the tour going?

NC: "All of the shows have been kick ass. The BLS family is out in full force. Texas always has good food, good people. Playing in Texas is always a great time."

DR: What do you contribute to the rapid growth of Black Label Society fans across the country?

NC: "It is just years of being around. Zakk is putting out amazing CDs. We have been touring our asses off. That all pays off."

DR: Black Label Society are currently touring in support of your latest release, Shot To Hell. It was inspiring to see the band performing so many of the new tunes live. Songs like 'New Religion' and 'Black Mass Reverends' really give the band a heavy new sound. Was it a challenge to learn all of the diverse guitar parts on this BLS tour?

NC: "No not at all. Zakk and I have such a great past together. I know what he is going play. I am blessed to have been around him for so long that I pick up easy with him. I love it."

DR: Nick, let's take a minute to discuss your solos on, 'Spoke In The Wheel' and 'The Last Goodbye'. What did you want to bring to the plate that was different was all of your work with BLS? What kind of sound, and balance were you hoping to achieve to compliment the piano work of Zakk?

NC: "I was just floored that I get to solo. It's such an honor to get to play Zakk's solos. He trusts me and has faith in me to do it. Zakk knows I won't let him down. I will bust my ass to get that solo as close to perfect as I can. But it still gives me goose bumps every time we do it."

DR: There are so many different guitar styles on Shot To Hell. Do you feel adding all the diverse guitar style makes you a stronger performer?

NC: "No, not the guitar style. I just think as a band we are getting along so well as a unit it shows onstage and the crowd picks up on it and has a blast with us."

DR: How did you meet Zakk?

NC: "It was 1996 and I quit my old band in Pittsburgh and I saw Zakk's email in. Metal Edge. I thought it would never even happen but emailed him and said, 'If you ever need another guitar player I'm there for you.' Sure as shit he needed one for Book Of Shadows, and we have been a team ever since."

DR: As a guitar player, what is more important speed, or technique?

NC: "Neither, you have to learn how to play from the heart first. That is the main key. With no heart it doesn't matter how fast you are. You need feel and heart."

DR: Nick, let's talk about your style of guitar playing. How do you match the different guitar tones between you and Zakk? Is it hard to match the pinch harmonics?

NC: "Zakk and I have been matched together I think. When I was 16, I used to learn every Zakk lick and song until I nailed it, and that's how I got those harmonics. Now it paid off, we have a blast jamming together. I wouldn't have it any other way, he's Keith and I'm Ronnie."

DR: What was it like appearing in the June Issue of the Guitar Player Magazine?

NC: "Surreal.... to be part of an article with Zakk is something I never thought would happen, and I am just stunned by it. All the ads and stuff from Washburn and EMG and Tone Pros, I am shocked every time I see myself, it's always weird."

DR: How would you describe Shot To Hell?

NC: Shot To Hell is a mixture of both Mafia and Book Of Shadows, great heavy stuff and wicked melodic songs with so much heart. Zakk just blows my mind with his creativity. He is a song machine. People will dig it."

DR: What has been your favorite Black Label Society tour so far? Any special memories?

NC: "Every one of them is special in it's own way; we bond more and more as a unit. It's one big unstoppable force. That will continue for a long time."

DR: What was it like seeing Zakk Wylde perform with OZZY OSBOURNE at OZZFest this year?

NC: "I always love watching Zakk play with Ozz, it takes me back to when I was watching him and he was 19 and I was 16. He just shines, when he is jamming those tunes, and nailing every Randy lick, Zakk is the king, I'm most proud to be in the whole mix."

DR: Are you a big TONY IOMMI fan? What is your favorite BLACK SABBATH song?

NC: "My God, I couldn't be a guitar player without loving Tony, without him we wouldn't exist. He wrote the heaviest songs ever. My favorite is 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' and 'Into The Void'."

DR: Do you remember the first time you met Ozzy? What was it like meeting the king of rock and roll?

NC: "Oh yeah, that's a memory that doesn't go away. I came on our bus from catering, and I opened the curtain and there was Ozzy and Zakk talking about the Down To Earth CD. Zakk introduced me and Ozzy stood up looked me in the eye and shook my hand and said, 'I'm Ozzy and it's great to meet you'. I'm like here is a guy that took the time to stand up and shake my hand, every rock star should take his role and be more human to their fans, if Ozzy doesn't have an ego nobody should."

DR: After you auditioned for Zakk in 1996 for the Book Of Shadows tour, do you remember the first thing he said to you? Do you remember your audition song?

NC: "There really wasn't an audition. He flew to Pittsburgh, and we jammed in his hotel. I think the first song was 'Found What You Were Looking For'."

DR: Let's discuss how you first got started in music. How important a role did your Dad play in helping you discover your dream of becoming a musician? What is the most important advice that your Dad ever gave you?

NC: "My Dad and Mom have been a blessing to me. They have supported everything I have done. From managing my old band to managing me now. To my Mom helping with the merchandise, phone calls, everything. I am so lucky it's insane. My Dad's best advice was, 'Do it now, because you never know when you won't be able too. Just enjoy everyday'.”

DR: Do you think that Black Label Society are going back to their early roots with great melodic ballads, modern heavy guitar riffs, with a touch of southern rock on Shot To Hell?

NC: "I just think BLS is just maturing as a band and as a whole. All the songs on Shot To Hell are so mature and Zakk is just a genius. It is just going get better from here."

DR: Is the band amazed at what a powerful musical response that the acoustic set is achieving on this tour?

NC: "Well we don't do an acoustic set during the show, but the piano section is getting great reviews. It just shows how diverse Zakk is."

DR: Black Label Society have been on the road non-stop this year. How did you enjoy headlining the second stage at OZZFest this summer? Was it everything that you thought it would be?

NC: "I thought it was awesome. Ozzy even loved it better than the A stage. It’s way more intimate."

DR: "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott recently got inducted into the Hall Of Fame in Dallas at the Hard Rock Cafe. What are your thoughts on Dime’s Induction?

NC: "It's about fuckin time. Dime deserves that and more. He brought so much into the world of music. Not just great playing but as a person. He is the best and will always be."

DR: What advice did Dime ever give to you as a musician, that you would forever treasure?

NC: "He said to me after we did the show in Dallas with JUDAS PRIEST, he put his arm around me and said, 'Twin you keep jamming, you got fire and I see it. One day you will be up there with the big boys.' That was such a great fucking thing for him to say to me. It put even more of a drive in me."

DR: What advice to you gives your students and fans about getting started in having a music career?

NC: "Practice songs, have fun, that's the key. Just love to play. The minute you stop loving it, start something else. It's all about the love of music."

DR: Nick, let's discuss your Signature Washburn Guitar. How did the Washburn endorsement transpire? Also how was Dime instrumental in helping you achieve the Washburn Signature guitar deal?

NC: "Well they saw the DVD and then Dime had some input in it. So it happened so quickly and I got some great pieces. They never let me down. The Shot To Hell guitar they made me is amazing. It plays great and sounds insane."

DR: Any rock and roll predications for 2007? Do you see the resurgence of metal continuing?

NC: "Of course it's all coming back around. I think it's just going to get bigger again. You hear metal on everything now, from Football to Nascar to Wrestling. It's in more demand now I think. The BLS army we have now is just growing. It shows every OZZFest and every tour we do. It just gets bigger. Which I am totally grateful for."

DR: Thanks Nick for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this Black Label Society Shot To Hell interview.

NC: Thank you and everyone reading. Keep kicking ass!"