LIVE: ZAKK WYLDE’S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, Perth, 25 Nov, 2015

LIVE: ZAKK WYLDE’S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, Perth, 25 Nov, 2015
Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society – Metropolis Fremantle – Wednesday, 25 November, 2015
Reviewed by Steve Monaghan
Photography by Stuart McKay

Since bursting onto the scene as lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne in 1987, Zakk Wylde has forged a career as a virtuosic guitarist, every bit as important to the Osbourne legacy as Randy Rhodes is. Since the inception of Black Label Society in 1998 the band has cultivated a loyal and passionate fan base that has spilled over into a full on brotherhood. Nine albums in and they are still going from strength to strength, with new album “Catacombs of the Black Vatican” very much a testament to their continued progression.

The BLS juggernaut rolled into Fremantle for their first headlining tour since 2006 and from the get-go it was apparent that they weren’t holding anything back.

Kicking off proceedings with “The Beginning…. At Last” taken from the 1999 album “Sonic Brew” the band were in blistering form as Zakk Wylde led the charge with crushing riffs and a mind-boggling guitar solo played behind his head a la Hendrix. “Funeral Bell” was next with “Bleed For Me” coming in quick succession. At this point it was clear that BLS were in command and the remainder of the show became a veritable tour-de-force of technical ability and showmanship not just from Wylde but from the whole band.

The juggernaut continued to roll on with “Concrete Jungle” and “Suicide Messiah” until they brought the mayhem down to play the infamous “In This River” – a touching tribute to the late, great Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, also a great friend of Wylde’s. It’s a song that for obvious reasons really struck a nerve with a lot of people in attendance given the recent shootings at The Bataclan in Paris. The mood was soon lifted with some onstage banter as Zakk introduced his talented band mates. As much as there has been a revolving door history of musicians in the band, there seems to be genuine bonhomie between them and a powerful chemistry showcasing musicians at the top of their game with an underlying passion for the fans and the music.

Closing out the show with the fan favourite “Stillborn” saw the swirling mass of bodies in the mosh pit reached fever pitch as Wylde bellowed out the words “I waited here for you for so very long” – a sentiment not lost on the adoring fans who have been waiting nearly ten years to see this band perform live again. Hopefully it won’t be long until they are back on WA soil again.

SETLIST:
The Beginning…At Last
Funeral Bell
Bleed For Me
Heart of Darkness
Suicide Messiah
Dying Time
Damn The Flood
-Solo-
Godspeed Hellbound
Angel of Mercy
In This River
Blessed Hellride
Concrete Jungle
Stillborn

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries