Zakk Wylde
July 18, 2000
The Beehive - Pittsburgh, PA

Though Zakk Wylde is joined on the Penchant for Violence Tour by Crowbar and Sixty Watt Shaman, this show in particular was added late and was originally slated as a Black Label Society (BLS) only show.  Unfortunately, TPRS.com was not prepared to review the other bands that did in fact open, but we did catch up with Crowbar bassist Jeff "Okie" Okoneski and vocalist Kirk prior to the show.  The band is currently touring in support of their sixth studio album Equilibrium (Spitfire).

                       

Ironically, Okie and Crowbar drummer Craig Nunenmacher are both from the band Near Life Experience (NLE), featuring Lillian Axe's Steve Blaze on guitar and vocals.  And Nunenmacher, who is Blaze's younger brother, is now not only playing with Crowbar on the tour but also filling the slot left empty by Phil "Philth" Ondich, who apparently had a recent falling out with Wylde.  (Check out our interview archives for more information about NLE).

                   

As for BLS, a crowd of society dwellers of all ages gathered for a night of loud guitars and heavy hitting vocals and BLS certainly delivered.  Wylde the one time metal pretty boy kicked off the set looking much like Ted Nugent with his faded jeans, camouflage hat, and beard, but offered a much heavier vibe.

Highlights of the set included "13 Years of Grief," "Superterrorizier," and "Counterfeit God," from his latest BLS release, Stronger Than Death (Spitfire), and a guitar solo from the wildest man with a Les Paul that naturally was nothing short of amazing.

Wylde also offered up older BLS material from Sonic Brew (Spitfire) like "Bored to Tears," but instead of offering up never versions of songs from his other albums like Pride & Glory's "Horse Called War," as he had done on his previous tour, he returned to his roots delivering a handful of Sabbath/Ozzy tunes.

His departure from BLS songs included "Nativity in Black" and "War Pigs," which helped his replacement drummer catch his breath after playing almost two full sets.  The encore of "No More Tears," which sounds very little like the original, except for the guitar solos and the piano outro (which Wylde now plays on the guitar) ended the set.  Though, it didn't get as good of a response as the new BLS tunes, which united the dwellers in chants and first-pounding fun.

BLS releases and the reissues of Book of Shadows and the Pride & Glory album with bonus tracks are available from Spitfire Records.  For more information about Zakk Wylde read our recent interview and Metal God feature, and visit his Web site at www.zakkwylde.com for the latest tour news.  Review and Photos by Kara Phillips
 

.
Click here to search our catalog

e-mail us ( music@tprs.com ) for availability.