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Live Reviews : Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society & The Black Swamp @ The Tivoli, Brisbane 29/11/2015

By on November 30, 2015

Images: Rebecca Reid
Words: Jake Patton

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Sunday night shows are always interesting. You can never tell just how many people are going to show up. But with tonight’s proceedings taking place at The Tivoli, I knew that there would be a few people about. What I was surprised with was how many people were there nice and early for door opening. After what seemed like an eternity between doors and openers The Black Swamp taking the stage (if an hour can be classified as an eternity), the night got underway.

Having followed The Black Swamp for a short while now and hearing that they had been announced as supports for tonight, it only made sense that they be selected for a show like this. Stylistically, they fit perfectly, and having already supported Hellyeah and Sebastian Bach this year, this seemed like their next progression.

The Black Swamp seems to have gotten the formula right, their music not too southern rock, not too heavy metal, but that central sweet spot which brings the best of both worlds. All it took for them to get the crowd moving tonight was the opening riff from their second track, and that movement amplified during the course of their set (even culminating in a circle pit or two).

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Probably the main thing that stood out watching The Black Swamp tonight is that they are one of the rare bands that actually look like they enjoy themselves on stage. While their stage presence is stripped back, and less flamboyant than others, it works for them, and allows them to let their music do the talking. Apart from a few minor feedback issues during the set (and I mean extremely minor) the set was a resounding success – and I know that The Black Swamp made a few more fans as a result of tonight.

There are fewer things that will rile the crowd into providing a rousing reception for your walk on stage than playing Black Sabbath before a show begins. Although this wasn’t a Black Sabbath show, playing “Whole Lotta Sabbath” before making an entrance definitely hit the Black Label Society fans like a bullseye and had the crowd chanting verse after verse in unison. At this point the stage was still bathed in darkness, but at the conclusion of the song, the chants turned into cheers as the lights came up, the band walked on stage, and the first notes from Zakk Wylde himself rang out.

There comes very few times in your life that you can truly witness greatness, and for the people of Brisbane, tonight was one of those nights. Bolting straight into “The Beginning… At Last” and jumping up onto the appropriately placed stomp box at front of stage, all eyes were transfixed on Wylde. There are very few people that can move around a fretboard the way that he does, and most of the crowd, myself included, spent the night transfixed and in awe of what was taking place before us.

The show ran in a typical fashion for most of the night. Wylde would jump up onto his stomp box or down on the ground during each song, the cheers would go up as the bass guitar or drums died down to let Wylde perform his solos, and then the crowd would sing emphatically along when the songs resumed again.

If there is one thing I can recommend people do before they die, that is to watch John DeServio on a bass guitar. On the few moments that I was able to pull myself away from the frenetic finger tapping, or shredtastic solo’s that were occurring from Wylde in front of me, I witnessed probably one of the most unique bass techniques that I have ever seen. It was like a combination of fingerpicking, slapping, and even fretting and actually made the Bass guitar look, not only easy, but enjoyable.

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Not one to mix words, it actually took three quarters of the set before Wylde addressed the crowd and introduced the members of the Band, something which helped give the crew time to facilitate a small stage re-arrangement as a piano was brought out. I loved the pace that the night was travelling at, but this change was welcomed as the crowd was treated to not only one, but two of Black Label Society’s slower tracks. Guitarist Dario Lorina initially took the lead on keys to perform “Angel of Mercy”, before Wylde, showcasing the more versatile side of his musicianship, replaced him to perform the keys for “In This River”. These were performances which, while a surprise for me, resounded strongly with the crowd.

Resuming lead guitar duties for a final few songs before closing with “Stillborn”, Wylde finished the night’s proceedings by hoisting his patched vest before the cheering crowd, proudly showcasing his Black Label Society patch to the loyal Brisbane Chapter, concluding something which resembled less of a show, but more of a sermon to the faithful masses.

Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society wrap up the last leg of their Australia tour tonight and tomorrow in Melbourne at 170 Russell. Tickets to tonight’s show (Monday, Nov. 30) are still available, though they are selling fast. Get yours now through Ticket Scout. Tomorrow nights show (Tuesday, Dec. 1) has SOLD OUT.

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