Blasting into the Mars Music Hall located in the Von Braun Civic Center (VBC) complex in Huntsville, Alabama on Thursday, October 28, 2021 were biker metal icons Black Label Society fronted by legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. BLS lived up to their reputation as heavy metal icons and Zakk Wylde lived up to his as one of the most charismatic and skilled guitarist in the music business.
Heavy Metal Rockers Prong.
The concert opened with veteran heavy metal act Prong made up of lead singer Tommy Victor, Jason Christopher on bass, and Aaron Rossi on drums. I really liked this trio a lot. Tommy Victor has a great voice and fantastic guitar skills, Christopher grounds the group with a solid bass grove, and Rossi pounds away on drums with the best of them. The highlight from the set was one of their more well known songs Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck, however, the whole set was great without a boring moment. I definately recommend seeing Prong live.
Death Metal Band Obituary
Act number two were death metal pioneers Obituary. I am personally not a fan of growl metal but Obituary seemed to be having a fun time and that was contagious. I soon overcame my personal distaste for growl metal and found myself having a blast as the Tardy brothers (John on lead vocals and Donald on drums) lit up the place. Donald, especially, seemed to be having a great time and that energy translated to the crowd. Rounding out the band were guitarist Trevor Peres, the mountainous Terry Butler on bass, and guitarist Ken Andrews. A solid and fun set including the memorable Slowly We Rot.
Black Label Society frontman Zakk Wylde and Jeff Fabb on Drums
Then it was time for the main event. A giant Black Label Society logo curtain covered the stage and the moment it dropped Zakk Wylde blasted the eager crowd with one of his legendary guitar solos. Zakk Wylde oozes charisma and is one of the most skilled guitarist in the game. In fact, the entire Black Label Society band has it’s gimmick down-pat. It’s actually hard to believe that Black Label Society hasn’t broken more popular than they are. While they are cult favorites for sure, if a record label would actually get behind this band they could easily be in the top tier of heavy metal touring acts, especially now that it seems Ozzy Osbourne’s health may have ended his touring career.
Black Label Society - BLS - Zakk Wylde blasts away on one of his iconic guitars.
Making up the entire Black Label Society crew are Zakk Wylde on lead vocals, lead guitar, and piano. Bass player and vocals John “J.D” DeServio, Guitarist and vocals Dario Lorina, and drummer Jeff Fabb. There were too many highlights of this set to mention but standing out even among the best were the Dimebag Darryl tribute In This River, the first ever written Black Label Society song Another Spoke in the Wheel, and my personal favorite of the night Suicide Messiah.
Double neck goodness from Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.
The Black Label Society setlist for Huntsville, AL Mars Music Hall:
Bleed for Me
Demise of Sanity
Overlord
Heart of Darkness
A Love Unreal
The Blessed Hellride
Spoke in the Wheel
In This River
Trampled Down Below
Destruction Overdrive
Set You Free
Fire It Up
Suicide Messiah
Stillborn
A tremendous show, a tremendous set. Don’t miss an opportunity see Black Label Society whenever they tour your area. They are truly the hidden gem of hard rock.
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