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GODSIZED

 

2011-03-22 DE – Cologne - Live Music Hall

If you are looking for a literal personification of all these attributes you would like to connect with the Heavy Metal/Hard Rock scene, then you will best served with Zakk Wylde! Zakk Wylde is… erm… was Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde is for sure BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, and… to be honest, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY are the better Osbournes ;) However, last summer BLACK LABEL SOCIETY have released their eighth album Order Of The Black they now finally support live in Europe. For three weeks they hunt across Europe and play mostly sold out shows. I took the chance to catch up with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY on their very last show at Cologne’s Live Music Hall. A sold out show and pleasure I was sharing with 1500 fans ;)

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Rules ain’t that strictly tonight so I can start into this evening the easy way. But I’m much curious. Both bands I did not see live before. About :: GODSIZED :: there is not that much to learn. Founded back in 2006 British groove metalists have released two EPs and shop now for a label to get finally off the grid properly. GODSIZED played all songs from these EPs plus another one, which I guess was a new one. Guitarist Neil Fish, truck-cap and Western boots = rocker, has much interesting playing techniques, while my threads regarding bass player Gavin Kerrigan don’t have anything to do with the show here ;) Both meanwhile act much lively, pose and communicate with the audience, while singer and guitarist Glen Korner is the introvert one. At least he introduces his band members and speaks to us. GODSIZED lives up to its look and spread a southern flair: strong, fully bearded, long-haired men, playing Southern Hard Rock with punch, power and tons of groove. Amazing! Opening track Walking Away is already a dusty and doomy, whiskey-soaked groove monster and kicks me higher. Pure pleasure, goes down well, I want more! As a little last-show-joke band and crew members disassemble the drum kit while skinman Effon still has to play his parts ;) Great show! Loved them! ;)
Setlist: Walking Away, The Phoney Tough & The Crazy Brave, Fight & Survive, No Repreve, Brothers In Arms, The Last Goodbye, Bleed On The Inside, Head-Heavy

Change-over, a huge black curtain makes the break mysterious. There is much movement in the front rows, everybody wants the best place to see the show. And I get aware that most people are older than me or at least have the same age, makes me feeling young again *laughs* Kidding… Oh and I can spot quite a few Hell’s Angels followers. Shadows, screams, the curtain falls… time has come for :: BLACK LABEL SOCIETY :: and they kick off classical with The Beginning… At Last from the 99 debut record Sonic Brew. The crowd freaks out and worships Zakk Wylde. He feels well and demands not any bit less. After Overlord the master plays a piano solo followed by In This River dedicated to Dimebag Darrel. Yes, that’s a gooseflesh-causing atmosphere. At this time I already stay with my spine on the back wall and see… nothing. Ok, some lights. I share this with many people; likewise many leave the show coz of that much disappointed. When Zakk Wylde jumps on his pedestal I catch a glimpse, otherwise I just see Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly every now and then.
Generally speaking I’d say, yes, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is an awesome band, but the performance was just too staged, uninspired, partly stereotype and Zakk-babe a bit too narcissistic. Everybody knows that he is an awesome guitar player, but his endless guitar solos went on nerves, especially the one 10 minutes running. Party mood was killed anyways. Nope, I left the field unsatisfied. Not disappointed, but unsatisfied. Maybe next time, when I can see more of the band than just 3 tracks…
Setlist: The Beginning… At Last, Crazy Horse, What’s In You, The Rose Petalled Garden, Funeral Bell, Overlord, (Pianosolo), In This River, Fire It Up, (Guitar Solo), Godspeed Hellbound, The Blessed Hellride, Suicide Messiah, Concrete Jungle, Stillborn

 

story & pics © Dajana