Black Label Society’s North American Tour Hits Montreal [Photos]

During his prime, James Brown was known as “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” If there were a similar title awarded to a group, the guys from Black Label Society would definitely be in the running. They were in Montreal this past week for a ceiling-shattering performance at the MTelus. But they didn’t just headline the show; various members of the band were also involved in all of the opening acts as well.

The show began with Dark Chapel, fronted by Black Label Society guitarist Dario Lorina. They didn’t waste any time and unleashed the first of many musical onslaughts as soon as they hit the stage. “Afterglow” was the first of many crushing songs that would test how sturdy the MTelus had been built. All of the songs they played were from their debut album, Spirit In The Glass. They also added a rocked out cover of Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The heavy blues bass riffs shook everything in the building, and the reverberations may have been felt out on the street as well.

Before the next band, we had a streaker hit the stage. Not your usual streaker, though. It was a wild-haired man in a kilt wearing an Ultimate Warrior face mask. He was clutching what appeared to be some action figures in his hand. One was a tiny Ozzy Osbourne. We would feel his presence a few more times before the night was over. Who knew that Zakk Wylde had a secret identity?

Once our ‘mysterious’ stalker had left, Zakk Sabbath hit the stage. Zakk Sabbath is basically Zakk Wylde, doing Black Sabbath songs. And since you can’t really see Black Sabbath anymore, they are more than a worthy replacement. John “J.D.” DeServio on bass and Jeff Fabb on drums, also all full Black Label Society Brothers, round out the trio. They do a terrific job of bringing the songs to life. They opened with the classic “Fairies Wear Boots” and followed up with “Snowblind.”

Zakk Wylde playing Sabbath is a winning combination, and the crowd roared their approval with every song. The final double show of “N.I.B.” and “War Pigs” threatened to send the roof to the moon long before the Artemis mission even lifted off. Zakk took a trip into the crowd to play a solo during “War Pigs.” As security hustled him back towards the stage, he roared, “Fuck yeah!” as he walked past where I was standing. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Though we had already seen all of them, it was time for Black Label Society to hit the stage. Though already battered by heavy riffs and hard music, the fans only got stronger. The first body surfer went by my head mere minutes after the band opened their set with “Funeral Bell.”

The bodies kept coming in fast and furious during “Name In Blood.” So much so that security made the call to clear us photographers from the pit before our third song, “Destroy And Conquer,” was just beginning. At one point, I had looked behind me, and there were ten bodies coming in.

The rest of their set featured a heavy selection of hits. Zakk Wylde and his signature guitar riffs were on full display, and I must admit that I was under their spell. It was so cool to see this guitarist, whom I had been listening to since I was a teenager and be able to capture some awesome shots of him in action. The band worked in the final sequence of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears” onto the end of “Heart Of Darkness.” As the song ended, the entire building was chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” as Zakk raised his arms to the sky in a show of respect to his former boss.

A very fun moment was when Zakk introduced all of the brothers of the band. As Zakk would name them, he would add that the mentioned Brother was a fan of certain rivals of our local hockey team. The crowd would boo, and Zakk would respond, “But that’s ok, I love the Montreal Canadiens!” The Ozzy chants also returned a little later, as we heard “Ozzy’s Song,” a tribute to Ozzy from Black Label Society’s latest album, Engines Of Demolition.

The show came to an end with “Stillborn” as the sweaty and satisfied masses raised their fists in the air and let out a final, deafening roar. All in appreciation for the evening of hard rock and unrelenting riffs that they had just experienced. There was certain to be some rough voices and sore bodies the next morning, but I’m sure that they would all do it again.

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? The fans inside the MTelus certainly didn’t think so. Not if it’s Zakk Wylde and the rest of Black Label Society. Their North American tour continues until mid-May. Sure to leave a wake of crowd surfers in every city that they visit.