Black Label Society at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium was one hell of a night of
rock and roll. From the opening notes of Dark Chapel to the final moments
of Black Label Society’s set, the energy inside the venue never let up.
Dark Chapel kicked off the night and got the crowd warmed up for what
would become an unforgettable evening. They delivered a strong set
featuring some of their standout songs, including “Afterglow,” “Sign of
Life,” and “Burns the Flame,” while also throwing in a great cover of Bill
Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.” It was the perfect way to get the night
started.
Then came Zakk Sabbath. The moment Zakk Wylde and the band took the stage, the crowd erupted as they launched into “Children of the Grave.” Zakk’s guitar work throughout the set was absolutely incredible. From playing behind his head for an extended stretch to playing with his teeth, he put on the kind of guitar performance that reminds you why he is considered one of the greats.
At one point, Zakk took an extended guitar solo, moving through the crowd while shredding away. It was one of those moments where you could feel the entire room locked in on the performance. Zakk Sabbath closed their set with the crowd favorite “War Pigs.” As the song came to an end, the entire auditorium erupted into a massive “OZZY! OZZY! OZZY!” chant. It was an absolutely chilling moment. You could feel just how much Ozzy meant and continues to mean to Zakk, the band, and the fans. There was a genuine sense of love and respect in the room.
And then it was time for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY! From the opening of “Funeral Bell” all the way through “Stillborn,” the energy never let up. Zakk Wylde and the band sounded incredible, delivering the loud, gritty, heavy rock show BLS fans came for. The setlist was packed with fan favorites, including “Name in Blood,” “Destroy & Conquer,” “Love Unreal,” “Heart of Darkness,” “In This River,” “Hellride,” “Set You Free,” “Fire It Up,” “Suicide,” “Ozzy’s Song,” and “Stillborn.” Throughout the night, there were several heartfelt tributes to the late, great Ozzy Osbourne. The most memorable came during “Ozzy’s Song,” when a massive backdrop appeared featuring photos of Ozzy. Seeing those images while hearing the music was an incredibly powerful moment.
The tributes to Ozzy made the night feel like more than just a concert. It felt
like a celebration of a legend, his music, and the impact he had on generations of fans and musicians—including Zakk himself. For my first time seeing Black Label Society, Zakk Sabbath, and Dark Chapel, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium was absolutely rocking. The crowd was incredible, the atmosphere was electric, and Black Label Society delivered one hell of a show. They showed an incredible amount of love to their fans both new and old and gave Asheville a night that will be hard to forget. Loud. Heavy. Emotional. Unforgettable.
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