The band is not to be confused with Zakk Wylde's solo project (sometimes known as Book of Shadows after its only album) or with Pride & Glory, Wylde's southern rock band.
History
In 1992, Ozzy retired after the No More Tears tour, which led Zakk to form his own solo band Pride & Glory, blending potent bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. In 1994 Ozzy decided to come out of retirement, and the numerous recording sessions for Ozzmosis took place. Around this time, Zakk was also offered the open guitar slot in Guns N' Roses and had a hard time deciding whether to tour with Ozzy or join Guns N' Roses. Neither project panned out. This gave Wylde the opportunity to record his own acoustic solo album, "Book of Shadows." After limited commercial success with Book Of Shadows, in 1998, Zakk and drummer Phil Ondich formed Black Label Society and recorded their debut album "Sonic Brew." Nick Catanese had been Zakk's touring rhythm guitarist since the Book Of Shadows tour (Zakk records all guitars on his albums). Craig Nunenmacher has been drumming for the band since 1919 Eternal (2001) following Phil's departure. Previous bass players include current Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, former Megadeth 4-stringer James Lomenzo, and current Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, who also played with Zakk on the No More Tears, Ozzy tour.
The band had their song "Fire It Up" featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero. Zakk Wylde has an avatar in the video game "Guitar Hero: World Tour", and the song "Stillborn" also appears.
Concrete Jungle
Black Label Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The nuns with the shotguns
The graves rolling by your side
Survival of the fittest
And there ain't no pity
No one gets out alive
In the Concrete Jungle
It's the well of the damned
Misfits, psychos and twisted slaves
The house of the sane
No one can be saved
Rolling six feet under, rolling
Rolling six feet under, rolling
Rolling six feet under, rolling and keep on rolling
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die
Another day to bleed
Another day to die
Another day to blackout and then go blind
Maniacal blitzkrieged
Where the maggots play God
Where the souls of the lost come to die
The Concrete Jungle
It's the well of the damned
Step inside and you'll understand
Misfits, psychos and the twisted slaves
The house of the sane
No one can be saved
Rolling six feet under, rolling
Rolling six feet under, rolling
Rolling six feet under, rolling and keep on rolling
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die once again
No one gets out
They're ready to die
"Concrete Jungle" is a song by Black Label Society that explores the harsh realities of life in a dystopian society, where survival of the fittest is the rule and no one gets out alive. The lyrics describe a place where misfits, psychos, and twisted slaves are trapped in a house of the sane, unable to escape the horrors of their surroundings. The streets are filled with freaks and nuns with shotguns, and graves roll by as a constant reminder of the fate that awaits all who enter this concrete jungle.
The chorus "Rolling six feet under, rolling" suggests that death is a constant threat in this place, and that once you enter, there is no escaping. The repeated phrase "No one gets out" emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation, and the acceptance that death is the ultimate outcome. The final repetition of "They're ready to die once again" suggests that this is not the first time the inhabitants of the concrete jungle have faced death, and that they are prepared to face it again.
The song is a commentary on the dark side of society, and the lyrics suggest that there are places where the most vulnerable members of society are trapped without hope of escape. The use of imagery such as graves rolling by and maggots playing God creates a visceral picture of the horrors of this world, and the repetition of the chorus emphasizes the desperation and futility of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
The freaks in the streets
People who live and act in unconventional or abnormal ways are present in the city streets.
The nuns with the shotguns
Even religious figures in this part of the city are armed and aggressive.
The graves rolling by your side
The presence of death and danger is constant and threatening, always within reach or sight.
Survival of the fittest
Life here is a competition for resources and safety, and those who are strong and capable are the ones who will thrive.
And there ain't no pity
Compassion or mercy are non-existent; vulnerability or need are seen as weaknesses.
No one gets out alive
The risks and dangers of the concrete jungle are inescapable, and death is a constant reality.
In the Concrete Jungle
This harsh, unforgiving environment is what the song is representing and critiquing.
It's the well of the damned
This is a place where people can easily become lost, suffering, and hopeless; a kind of hell on earth.
Step inside and you'll understand
Only by experiencing this environment can one fully comprehend the hardships and struggles that exist here.
Misfits, psychos and twisted slaves
The people who inhabit and struggle in this harsh reality include the outcasts, mentally unstable, and those trapped in servitude.
The house of the sane
Those who are considered mentally stable or 'normal' most likely do not live or spend much time in this particular setting.
No one can be saved
This environment is so harsh and damaging that there may be little hope for anyone to escape its clutches and find a better life elsewhere.
Rolling six feet under, rolling
This phrase refers to death and burial, as well as the idea that life continues even after death.
No one gets out / They're ready to die
The idea here is that, due to the harshness and danger of this setting, survival is unlikely and death is always looming.
Another day to bleed / Another day to die / Another day to blackout and then go blind
The repetition of 'another day' highlights the constant and cyclical nature of struggle and suffering in this environment.
Maniacal blitzkrieged / Where the maggots play God
The language here is intentionally dramatic and disturbing, highlighting the idea that this setting has a sense of chaos, cruelty, and disregard for life.
Where the souls of the lost come to die
This place is where people who are already lost, hopeless, or struggling come to meet their end, rather than to find a way out.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZAKK WYLDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigd5000100
thing i love about black label society they have a song for every mood
@donniemarks94
But they all make you feel bad ass 😊💪🏻
@KyleDesharnais
@Donnie johnson except in this river that makes you cry
@trex257
I love this video. It is very Pink Floyd's "The Wall". The animation is badass. I don't know why so many people give Zakk suck crap. He is a very good musician. He is a damn good guitarist. Just because he doesn't do a lot of things other players do doesn't make him a bad player. He plays what HE likes to play, not what everyone else plays. He is a very good piano player also. His singing isn't the best, but it gets the job done.
@jakelamotta2387
He is literally good with his vocals, guitar and piano. Why anyone would think his voice e isn't good is beyond me!
@prodigalson56
Zakk's got to be one of the most talented players alive!
@brianestes3043
I want to unlike it just so i can like it again...well said!!
@tophernuttle420
Thirteen Years ago You made that comment and I was gonna say he's come so far even since then that I'd have to consider him a writer/composer and music theorist above just a player now days...
Even when the Shot to Hell album came out he was damn electric as Dime would say...
Now??
Now he's the best hands down in so many categories I'd consider him the living 🐐 tbh...
@adro3828
Agreed!
@MrBeenus
He's decent. He makes generic rock radio rock.