After years of battling his label, Curb Records, Hank Williams III finally saw the release of STRAIGHT TO HELL in 2006. The album is a set of unapologetic outlaw-country tunes that evokes the spirit of Williams's legendary grandfather (whom he resembles in both voice and appearance), while also nodding to other rebellious greats such as David Allan Coe, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings, most blatantly on the woozy, booze-soaked "Country Heroes." Lyrically, Hank III is still concerned with drinking, smoking, and other sinful pastimes, as best revealed on "Crazed Country Rebel," which serves nicely as the rambunctious artist's motto. However, the self-professed "hellbilly" resists the heavy-metal influence that informs much of his persona (and comes to the forefront with the side-project Assjack) and, instead, plays it affectionately and knowingly straight, as if making sure not to sully the good family name.

Rolling Stone (p.94) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "'Low Down' reminds non-fans he can write a sad song worthy of his granddad..."

Uncut (p.113) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he grandson of Hank Williams rides a dual track from sublime to perverse."

No Depression (p.131) - "[R]iven, driven and demon'd with sin....He's deeper and darker and bigger and better than he's every likely to be allowed."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Most of this superb record is laugh-out-loud funny, but the intent is deadly serious....He is a country-punk Eminem, ready to take the trash talk global."