Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society rocked the Ritz Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina recently on August 30, 2022. It was a makeup date from a few months earlier when Zakk lost his voice. Nita Strauss was scheduled on that original show, but she wasn’t at this new date due to her recently announced commitment to Demi Lovato’s band. This time, Zakk brought along The Native Howl and Jared James Nichols along with him to fire the crowd up for him. They didi exactly that and the energy that was built up in the room after their sets was pretty awesome! A curtain logo for BLS fell in front of the stage and got a huge pop from the crowd. Shortly after, “Whole Lotta Sabbath” blasted through the PA system. Upon its conclusion, the house lights went down and a earthquake like vibration fell over the venue. You could feel your chest rattle! The curtain dropped and ripped into “Funeral Bell.” The stage banter was kept to a minimum and one song was quickly followed by another. The volume in the venue was at an insane level! I don’t think I have ever heard it so loud in there! The band ripped from one song into another and they were blistering hot! Zakk is a menacing figure on-stage as he slays his axe and all of that hair engulfs his face. Yet off stage, you never hear a bad word about this guy. This was definitely one intense show! We’ve included the setlist so that you can check out what he played.
I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price supplid the review and kick-ass photos below.