Black Label Society- Live at The Electric Ballroom, Camden
The Wylde shall Wylde remain.
June 8th 2022
Zakk Wylde – also known as “Father Zakk” and his militia of 3 took down the Electric Ballroom at Camden on the 8th of June. This show was the last of 2 nights in London. I got to the venue a couple of hours before gates and saw that the UK Chapter of the Black Label Society had shown up in full force to support the “Doom Crew” and their openers Tuskar, a Doom Metal duo from Milton Keynes. Though they are a 2 piece a drummer/vocalist and a guitar player, they sound like 4.
Getting inside the Electric Ballroom was fairly fast, the staff were really friendly and great. The venue is brilliant with a Photo-pit and plenty of room to stand, it didn’t seem sold out for an almost sold-out show. Getting in and out of the photo pit was a breeze as well.
The opening, act Tuskar is different in a good way. They sound organic and not typically doom metal. The riffs are faster paced than what you’d hear traditionally with Doom.
In a 30 minute set, they performed tracks from all their releases including their debut ep. focusing on the new stuff from this year’s excellent LP Matriarch.
They finished a 30-minute set and BLS were due at 9 pm. The lights went down and the PA played the Whole Lotta Sabbath intro with the crowd singing along.
The curtain fell, and Black Label Society emerged with Zakk Wylde in his Viking raider outfit and kilt. Father Zakk as he is known and the band were in top form and smashed through the night hit after hit. They play the first 2 tracks from the new album Doom Crew Inc, with ferocious, ear-splitting intensity. True to form Zakk shredded on every solo on every song from electric to acoustic and even the piano. The foundation of the Black Label Society sound is the slab-like rhythm section of John De Servio on bass and Jeff Fabb on drums.
Father Zakk dominated the stage with his larger than life presence and Wylde Audio Bullseye guitars. His mic stand is adorned with skulls and a large crucifix. BLS played a 14 song set which included a duelling solo where Zakk and fellow guitar player Dario Lorina got up on the centre riser both playing their guitars behind their heads.
The setlist was a mix of old and new, they played a few tracks from their latest release Doom Crew Inc and a bunch of older material.
It was a night to remember for me as a photographer and as a fan. The lights were great, the riffs ruled, the solos were insane and Zakk replete with the beard, the studded vest, the skulls and the kilt was a sight to behold. I can’t wait to watch them again.
Review & Photography:
VIKRAM CHANDRASEKAR
https://linktr.ee/theconcertphotographer
Setlist
Trampled Down Below
Set You Free
Destroy & Conquer
Heart of Darkness
A Love Unreal
You Made Me Want to Live
The Blessed Hellride
Spoke in the Wheel
In This River
Bleed for Me
Demise of Sanity
Fire It Up
Suicide Messiah
Stillborn
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