If there is a church for the masses to praise the lords of riff and shred, it is currently the sweat-soaked walls of The Fillmore in Philadelphia. On Monday night, Black Label Society didn’t just perform; they held a high-volume wake, a celebration, and a masterclass in heavy metal machinery, to a sold out crowd.
Frontman Zakk Wylde, who seemingly breathes feedback and exhales pinch harmonics, led his Berzerkers through a setlist that felt like a chronological assault. Opening with the tectonic "Funeral Bell," the energy in the room was immediate. The floor became a sea of denim and leather as "Name in Blood", a standout from their new Engines of Demolition record, proved that the BLS formula of doom drenched groove is still as potent as ever.
However, the evening’s true weight lay in the shadows of the legends Zakk has lost. The mid-set dedication of "In This River" to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul remains a poignant staple, but it was the inclusion of the newly penned "Ozzy’s Song" that brought a hushed, reverent stillness to the Philadelphia crowd, who on several occasions throughout the night chanted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy!”.
Having laid the "Prince of Darkness" to rest recently, Wylde took to the piano for a tribute that felt less like a performance and more like a private conversation made public. It was a soulful, raspy ballad that traced the lineage of a 40-year brotherhood. When Zakk strapped his guitar back on to deliver a soaring solo, it wasn't just technical wizardry; it was an emotional purge.
The night ended with the dual-guitar pyrotechnics of "Suicide Messiah" and the crushing finale of "Stillborn." Wylde remains the gold standard for the guitar hero archetype: brawny, relentless, and deeply sentimental. In Philadelphia, BLS proved that while the titans of the genre may pass, the fire they lit is being guarded by the loudest hands in the business.
Set List:
Funeral Bell
Name in Blood
Destroy & Conquer
A Love Unreal
Heart of Darkness
No More Tears
In This River (Dedicated to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul)
The Blessed Hell Ride
Set You Free
Fire It Up
Suicide Messiah
Ozzy’s Song (Dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne)
Instrumental Jam
Stillborn
Tour Stops:
April 09, 2026 - Atlanta, GA
April 10, 2026 - Charlotte, NC
April 23, 2026 - San Paulo, Brazil
April 30, 2026 - Santiago, Chile
Website: www.BlackLabelSociety.com
Instagram: @zakkwyldebls
Review and Photography by: Craig Eidell