Wylde time at Palladium with Black Label Society

WORCESTER — Black Label Society took their “Grimmest Hits” across the country, putting on shows that pay tribute to Zakk Wylde’s adoration for Black Sabbath, while adding in guitar solos that can only come screaming from his unmistakable Bullseye Les Paul and other personalized guitars.

This tour, featuring their newest album —  not to be mistaken for a collection of past hits — gave Massachusetts a taste of what’s new, blanketed in classics that drive the kutte-wearing brotherhood “wylde” Feb. 1 at the Palladium in Worcester.

As Wylde has been doing a variety of side projects, including his Black Sabbath tribute Zakk Sabbath, it only seemed fitting for the show to start with “War Pigs” blaring through the speakers as the band set up.

As soon as the traditional BLS skull-covered curtain drops, it’s obvious that this show is a guitar lover’s wet dream. Wylde dives into the crowd, guitar over his head, spilling out such mesmerizing riffs that shouldn’t be humanly possible while a crowd of fans pours over you, let alone be able to continue while dangling from a balcony. Outside of Wylde’s obvious talent with his hands and his tongue, the insanity on stage doesn’t stop at his solos, but reaches through the entirety of the band.

Dario Lorina’s rhythm guitar gives force behind the band, capturing only one of his triple-threat musical abilities, but then comes through with a voice made for the Sabbath-era. From longtime member John DeServio’s forceful bass and Jeff Fabb’s drum beats that knock the wind out of you, BLS creates an almost religious experience on stage.

It’s no surprise that the band can go dead silent as everyone in the crowd shouts the lyrics to “Suicide Messiah.” Every song captured the epitome of groove metal meets industrial metal, and leaves no hint of disappointment in the crowd.

Even more than 13 years later, BLS never fails to bring Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell back to life through “In This River,” something all fans expect the moment Wylde steps behind a piano. Although solemn, this song drives the energy in the room that only makes fans more passionate while belting the entirety of “Fire it Up” the moment the intro growling guitar comes through.

From “Blessed Hellride” to newer “All That Once Shined,” a BLS show is a collection of everything that has built the band, from side projects to inspirations, grabbing styles from metal of the ages.

Once done with this tour, Wylde is revisiting his roots alongside Ozzy Osbourne for Ozzy’s final world tour this year, dates still to be announced for the U.S. Suffice to say, with the collection of side projects, from one-album gems such as "Pride & Glory" to his "Experience Hendrix" tours, Wylde won’t be short on future tour dates.