LIVE: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – Seattle, WA, USA – March 16, 2026

Venue: Paramount Theater

City: Seattle, WA

Date: March 16, 2026

Review and Photographs by: James Zambon (https://jameszambon.com)

There are shows that hit hard, and then there are shows that remind you exactly why you fell in love with live music in the first place. Black Label Society’s March 16 stop at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle was firmly the latter. The line of eager fans wrapping around the block waiting to get into the Paramount had high hopes but really no idea how good the night was going to be. The Paramount Theatre itself set the tone before a single note was played. Built in the 1920s and designated as a Seattle landmark, the venue is stunning. Ornate plasterwork, glowing chandeliers, and a sense of history in every corner give it a presence that elevates everything happening on stage. Pair that with near-perfect sightlines and acoustics, and you’ve got one of those rare rooms where every seat feels like the right one. The night opened with an unexpected but very welcome surprise. Dark Chapel’s banner was hanging on upstage but I someone hadn’t seen them listed on the bill. When they took the stage they immediately grabbed the room’s attention. Fronted by Dario Lorina, who many already know as Black Label Society’s guitarist, the band delivered a set that was sludgy, melodic, blues-soaked, and heavy in every way we wanted. There was a raw confidence to their performance that made it feel like they were already playing to a room full of fans rather than introducing themselves. By the end of their set, they had absolutely earned it. A CD of their 2025 release Spirit in the Glass went home with me that night.

Zakk Sabbath followed, and it’s hard to overstate just how powerful this set was. There’s always a built-in excitement when you’re hearing songs that are this iconic, but Zakk Wylde doesn’t just play Black Sabbath material, he breathes new life into it as if it were written anew in 2026. There’s a deep reverence in how he approaches those songs, but at the same time, he injects them with his unmistakable style, turning them into something that feels both timeless and completely fresh. Having been part of Ozzy Osbourne’s orbit since 1987, Wylde’s connection to this material runs deep, and it shows in every note. The unexpected highlight came during “War Pigs,” when Zakk stepped off the stage and into the crowd, stretching the solo into an extended, jaw-dropping moment that lasted several minutes. Throughout the solo, he was ripping through it with the guitar behind his head, surrounded by fans who were losing their minds. He eventually made his way back to the stage, where Lorina joined in, as they began playing synchronous solos, both pulling off behind-the-head playing like it was just another Tuesday. It was an incredible mix of technical mastery and raw showmanship.

By the time Black Label Society took the stage, the energy in the room was already at a boil, and they somehow pushed it even further. Zakk’s entrance was met with a deafening roar, smoke cannons firing as if they were trying to keep pace with the intensity coming off the stage. From there, it was full throttle. Everyone was screaming, people were crow-surfing as fast as security could lower them into the stage pit. Mid-set, he brought out the iconic bullseye Gibson and launched into “No More Tears,” delivering what felt like a genuinely special moment in the set. Zakk, again, not just trying to cover an iconic song, but to celebrate it, and give nod to his history with Ozzy, and a reminder of just how much of a legend Ozzy was. Later, things took a turn into something more personal. Wylde sat down at a baby grand piano for “In This River,” a tribute to his late friend Dimebag Darrell. In a room that had been roaring all night, you could feel everything shift as the crowd locked into the moment. It was one of those rare and special live music pauses where everyone collectively leans in, takes a breath and remembers how fleeting these moments can be. Both Zakk Sabbath and Black Label Society closed their sets the same way—bringing the band to the front of the stage to take it all in. No rush, no pretense, just a genuine moment of appreciation between the musicians and the fans who showed up to give everything right back. Walking out of the Paramount that night, it was hard to think of anything the show didn’t deliver. Massive riffs, technical brilliance, heartfelt moments, and a level of energy that only slowed briefly to give us all a chance to breath before ramping up again. If anything, it leaves you with one simple thought: you’d happily watch them do it all over again every damn night.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY SETLIST: Funeral Bell – Name in Blood – Destroy & Conquer – A Love Unreal – Heart of Darkness – No More Tears – In This River – The Blessed Hellride – Set You Free – Fire It Up – Suicide Messiah – Stillborn

ZAKK SABBATH SETLIST: Children of the Grave – Snowblind – Orchid – Fairies Wear Boots – Bassically – N.I.B. – War Pigs

DARK CHAPEL SETLIST: Afterglow – Hollow Smile – Sign of Life – Hit of Your Love – Ain’t No Sunshine – We Are Remade

[Show as slideshow]

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries