By Yuri Woodfall – Western Lead, Photojournalist — Sound Check Entertainment
There are loud shows… and then there are Black Label Society shows.
Last night felt less like a concert and more like stepping into a full-blown, distortion-drenched sermon led by the high priest of riffs himself, Zakk Wylde. From the moment the first note rang out, the room transformed into a sea of leather, denim, and raised horns – a congregation ready to be baptized in pure, unfiltered volume.
Opening Act – Dark Chapel’s Slow-Burn Rise
Dark Chapel opened the night with a set that felt equal parts brooding and deliberate – the kind of performance that creeps up on you before you realize you’re fully locked in.
They kicked things off with “Afterglow,” setting an atmospheric tone before rolling into “Hollow Smile” and “Sign of Life,” both built on thick, moody textures and a steady, grinding pulse.
At the center of it all was Dario Lorina, pulling double duty as both the frontman of Dark Chapel and a guitarist in Black Label Society. Watching that transition unfold added an extra layer to the night – like getting two performances from the same artist in completely different modes.
“Hit of Your Love” added some drive, but it was their reimagined take on “Ain’t No Sunshine” (originally by Bill Withers) that really landed – darker, heavier, and unexpectedly powerful.
They closed with “We Are Remade,” leaving behind a crowd that had gone from curious to fully invested.
Zakk Sabbath – Where Tribute Becomes Takeover
When Zakk Sabbath took the stage, things escalated fast.
With Zakk Wylde now pulling double duty of his own, the set felt anything but secondary. Opening with “Supertzar,” the tone was set immediately, followed by “Children of the Grave” and “Snowblind,” each landing with crushing weight.
“Orchid” offered a brief, haunting pause before the set surged forward again into “Fairies Wear Boots” and “N.I.B.”, both met with a crowd that was already fully locked in.
And then came “War Pigs.”
What followed wasn’t just a highlight – it was a takeover. The entire room turned into a full-blown singalong, every voice in sync, every lyric shouted like it mattered. It was one of those moments where the band almost steps back and lets the crowd carry it – and Edmonton absolutely did.
It didn’t feel like a tribute.
It felt like a shared experience.
Black Label Society – A Set Built to Hit Hard
By the time Black Label Society took the stage, the energy was already sky-high – and somehow, they still managed to raise it.
“Funeral Bell” opened with crushing force, leading into “Name in Blood” and “Destroy & Conquer,” stacking heaviness right out of the gate. “A Love Unreal” brought a melodic shift before “Heart of Darkness” dragged things back into darker territory.
The crowd erupted as Wylde launched into “No More Tears,” paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and turning the entire venue into one massive singalong.
Then came “In This River,” dedicated to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul – a moment where the chaos gave way to something deeply emotional, lights in the air and every note carrying weight.
From there, it was all gas, no brakes.
“The Blessed Hellride,” “Set You Free,” and “Fire It Up” kept the momentum surging, while “Suicide Messiah” pushed things right to the edge.
Closing with “Stillborn,” the band delivered one final, explosive release – the kind that leaves your ears ringing and your voice completely gone.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a stacked lineup – it was a night defined by artists going above and beyond.
From Dario Lorina pulling double duty between Dark Chapel and Black Label Society, to Zakk Wylde commanding both Zakk Sabbath and the headlining set, to a crowd that gave everything right back – this show hit on every level.
Some shows are loud.
Some shows are memorable.
This one was both – and then some.
