Zakk Wylde - The Forum Theatre, 28th February 2012

Gallery: Zakk Wylde

Arriving at the Forum Theatre it was immediately evident that there were more people outside sucking down ciggies than there were inside the venue ahead of Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society’s Soundwave sideshow. Slowly though the sea of black leather, beards and bandanas made their way inside the ornate Melbourne theatre to practice their devil horn finger gestures and chanting of ‘B-L-S!’.

Taking to the stage in black leathers and in a native American Indian headdress, Wylde and his black 10-up boots stormed around the stage and ripped into Crazy Horse from 2010’s Order of the Black. The high octane opening gave way to Funeral Bell, with Wylde’s growling vocal projecting from behind a mic stand adorned with skulls and a cross. Interesting.

The back to back assault of Overlord into Parade had the sweaty, hairy sea of black at the Forum heaving, and it was at this level that the night remained – intense, angry and loud.

It’s clear that the man with the black and white guitar has a huge following, and he’s a seriously fast and technical guitarist.

And the word of the night is Black.