Empire Extreme: Music News, Reviews, and Interviews from some of the world's most extreme bands. www.EmpireExtreme.com
As Fall is fast approaching, the dog days of summer are coming to a close, On October 1st The House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio hosted Black Label Society, Black Dahlia Murder, and Alien Weaponry. I have to say what a way to kick off the month of the macabre. The billing for tonight was a showcase of metal in all of its facets, from modern, melodic death, and even tribal inspired metal.
First to take the stage was New Zealand natives Alien Weaponry. This young trio came out to a Maori dance by drummer Henry de Jong. The band came out to heavy thick guitar and rhythmic drumming, throwing down heavy grooves to get the crowd moving early this night. The songs were a mix of English and Maori, which encompassed themes related to their native culture. I was able to secure an interview with the band this night which will be released in a future article.
Next up was the kings of the night, The Black Dahlia Murder. These Detroit veterans have been playing their own brand of melodic death metal since the early 2000s. The band played through many of their hits from It’s a Horrible Night for A Curse, to Nightbringers, and Funeral Thirst. Vocalist Trevor Strand paced the stages throughout the set doing fist pumps. The set was fast paced, and full of technical guitar work by the talented Brandon Ellis and Brian Eschbach.
Closing out the night was Black Label Society, headed by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde. The stage was dressed from end to end with guitar cabinets making a wall of sound that hit like a jackhammer to the chest to all concert goers. Zakk put on a clinic of shred this night burning through solo after solo. His tone ripped through the mix as BLS fans were going wild for the performer. Zakk came out wearing his trademark bikers vest and kilt and stood upon a riser with his skull and crucifix adorned microphone stand. He looked like a god of metal, hair and beard flowing amongst the stage fans.
On one of the last days of great weather, this was the perfect way to end the evening. These bands put on one hell of a showcase of how far metal has come and where it is going within the genre. If you plan on seeing these bands you will have to act quick as the tour is set to end after October 13th as the last stop is in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
The post Black Label Society/Black Dahlia Murder/ Alien Weaponry Cleveland Show Review appeared first on Empire Extreme.