Black Label Society (w/ Corrosion of Conformity, Red Fang) @ AURA (Portland, ME) on February 2, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

The mighty Black Label Society rolled into Portland, ME to play a sold-out show at AURA nightclub on Friday, February 2. The night would also include support act Corrosion of Conformity and Red Fang.

Fans were packed in like sardines in the venue’s lower level by the time Pacific Northwest metal act Red Fang emerged. The band brought the grooves with a set of slow, brooding and heavy music that was loud as all hell (in a good way).

Corrosion of Conformity continued where Red Fang left off, upping the intensity with a sludgy set of stoner metal. The band just released their first new record since reuniting with former frontman and guitarist Pepper Keenan, No Cross, No Crown. While their set did include some new tracks there was plenty of older fan-favorites like “Albatross,” and “Clean My Wounds.”

At long last it was time for Black Label Society to kick things into high gear. The band came out after a Black Sabbath medley featuring “War Pigs,” and launched right into “Genocide Junkies.” Their set would go on to include more hits like “Suicide Messiah,” and “In This River,” among others, as well as a tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell, that saw frontman Zakk Wylde taking a seat at the piano.

BLS released their latest record Grimmest Hits a few weeks ago on January 19th, so tonight saw a few of the more popular cuts from that album, including “Room of Nightmares,” “All That Once Shined,” and “Trampled Down Below.” Wylde was his usual humorous self, spending several minutes telling outrageous stories about his bandmates as he introduced each one. Musically, Wylde didn’t seem to have any issue hitting every note vocally–this was actually perhaps the best I’ve ever heard him–and yes, he’s still shredding just as hard as ever. Zakk and his cohorts are on tour through February 17th, check out the remaining tour dates below and go get your face melted!

Remaining Tour Dates:

02/09 – St. Paul, MN @ Myth Live
02/11 – Saskatoon, SK @ O’Brians Event Centre
02/12 – Edmonton, AB @ The Ranch Roadhouse
02/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
02/16 – Grande Prairie, AB @ Bowes Event Center at Revolution Place
02/17 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall