Black Label Society Revved Up The Engines of Demolition at Wellmont Theater

Keith Timper
1 day ago
4 min read

Fans gathered in their masses (yep, we’re pulling out the Black Sabbath puns early) on Friday in Montclair for the sold-out 2026 Black Label Society North American tour. Fans were wrapped all the way around the venue and out into the street. The night was not set to disappoint, as attendees were treated not only to the heavy riffage of the legendary Zakk Wylde, but also a full set of Black Sabbath tunes by way of Zakk Sabbath. Kicking off the night first, though, was Dark Chapel.

Founded by Black Label Society guitarist Dario Lorina, Dark Chapel saw Lorina step behind the figurative pulpit as he commanded a sermon of metal. Blue lights washed the stage as they kicked off with “Afterglow,” which artfully blended grunge and thrash with elements of fuzz. Others had noted a vocal resemblance to the late, great Chris Cornell, and this song captured that excellently.

“Hollow Smile” and “Sign of Life” traded dueling guitars and chugging riffs. Slowing things down, Lorina stepped behind the keyboard for a more blues-inspired ballad, “Hit of Your Love,” transitioning into “Ain’t No Sunshine,” a cover by Bill Withers that expertly packaged all of the band’s sonic elements.

Dark Chapel Setlist:

Afterglow

Hollow Smile

Sign of Life

Hit of Your Love

Ain’t No Sunshine ( Bill Withers cover)

We Are Remade

Dark Chapel is:

Dario Lorina: Vocals / Guitar

Dylan Dyce: Guitars

Mike Gunn: Bass

Luis Silva: Drums

To the untrained eye or perhaps painfully obviously it looked like Black Label Society had taken the stage, which wasn’t far from the truth. Zakk Wylde, Jeff Fab, and John DeServio hit the stage as Zakk Sabbath. Not just a cover band, they acted as a faithful tribute, with no one better suited to take the reins than Wylde himself.

A stripped-down stage featured amps lining the back adorned with crosses, with only the drum set breaking them apart reminiscent of the bygone era of rock bands in the ’70s, and a large contrast to the more elaborate setup still to come.

The chugging opening of “Children of the Grave” set the tone and lit the crowd on fire. Wylde’s Ozzy Osbourne–like vocals brought a sense of familiarity while still feeling distinctly his own, complemented by his patented squeals and harmonics on guitar. The ease with which the trio played felt less like a formal concert and more like three friends jamming songs they grew up on. By the end of the track, it seamlessly transitioned into “Snowblind.”

The latter half of the set focused on Sabbath’s earliest work, and by this point, crowd participation reached its peak, becoming one massive sing-along. “Fairies Wear Boots” had the audience clapping and singing along to the verses, as DeServio and Wylde traded riffs and maintained the groove. To close the set, air raid sirens signaled “War Pigs,” with over two thousand fans singing it skyward in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, while Wylde stepped into the crowd to perform the solo among them.

Zakk Sabbath Setlist:

Supertzar (Tape)

Children of the Grave

Snowblind

Orchid (Tape)

Fairies Wear Boots

N.I.B

War Pigs

Zakk Sabbath is:

Zakk Wylde: Guitar / Vocals

John DeServio: Bass

Jeff Fab: Drums

As quickly as the last note rang out from “War Pigs,” the Black Label Society curtain sprang up from the floor to cover the stage. By this time, the crowd was packed like sardines. Even the lobby had become an absolute madhouse, a fitting homecoming for Wylde and crew.

The house lights dimmed, and the BLS curtain illuminated from the stage as the opening of “Whole Lotta Sabbath” blared through the PA, a mashup of “Whole Lotta Love” and “War Pigs” with the crowd singing every word (Including myself). When the curtain dropped, the band was already in place as bursts of smoke erupted from the stage. Wylde stood at the helm of his mic stand, a pillar of skulls rising to a crucifix. He hit his signature foot up, hand in the air rockstar pose as “Funeral Bell” delivered relentless riffage.

From his riser, Wylde cupped his ears, demanding more noise from the New Jersey crowd. Initially unimpressed, he crossed his arms until the audience responded with even louder cheers before launching into “Name In Blood,” a new track from ‘Engines of Demolition,’ released March 27 via MNRK Records. Keeping the momentum going after “Heart of Darkness,” Wylde began playing the solo and rest of “No More Tears,” from his time with Ozzy Osbourne.The band locked in tightly, holding down the groove in a way that would have made the Prince of Darkness proud.

Wylde then introduced the band: Jersey’s own bassist John DeServio, drawing boos after jokingly noting he wasn’t a Jersey sports fan followed by drummer Jeff Fab of Long Island and guitarist Dario Lorina. Finally, he introduced himself, proudly aligning with New Jersey sports to a roaring reaction.

Slowing things down, Wylde moved to the piano for “In This River,” originally written as a tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell and now also honoring his brother Vinnie Paul. The wall of amps behind the band displayed their images, adding to the emotion this track always brings out.

The energy ramped back up as the band closed out the night with selections from ‘Mafia’. During “Fire It up,” beach balls filled the air as Lorina and Wylde traded solos atop the piano and risers. This was followed by “Suicide Messiah,” and before their farewell, they delivered “Ozzy’s Song,” a heartfelt tribute, before ending the night with “Stillborn.”