Black Label Society, Godsized @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo,London

Black Label Society

Godsized

@

HMV Hammersmith Apollo

London

Being the setting for some of London’s premiere events of late, the giant HMV Hammersmith Apollo is no stranger to a snaking queue around its premises, tonight holding one of the most anticipated gigs in town with the acclaimed Black Label Society. In the stark cold waits around five thousand fans that are just clamouring to go inside and merely warm their cockles, let alone warm up and be treated to what promises to be one grizzly bareback gig.

Tonight’s grand show opener is Godsized. Hailing from South West London, they’re a band who prides themselves on their dedication to the live setting and they demonstrate their comfort in such a context with great aplomb. The band takes over the stage without a breath of hesitation and wields an inextricably tight set sourced from the various E.P’s they’ve released thus. Despite being an unsigned band it’s evidently clear why Black Label Society took them on board for this five week European tour. Vocalist Glen Korner’s gargantuan voice snaps the attention of the crowd so gratuitously that you forget the band are standing just as tall beside him…very heavy, very monstrous. Theirs is a punchy sound, not too dissimilar to BLS; they mirror the former in many aspects, but have enough zest of their own to set them apart. These lads are currently hitting up a very busy schedule and getting just the right exposure…it doesn’t feel like it will be long before they begin being a band on the tips of many tongues and on demonstration of their heavy metal beast tonight, the other side of the Atlantic should be a-calling for some of this.

Without having to wait a long time whatsoever Black Label Society appear from behind the curtain, no diva histrionics at all tonight, just straight into the rock. Screaming fans are plunged into intense bliss as they shotgun into “The Beginning... At Last” for the first song! A ridiculous showing of guitar worship is on display with a wall of 24 Marshall Amps that act as an extreme form of validation to the loudest display of high gain guitar work in London for some time. However, as songs come and go with increasing familiarity, this feels like it could be just another standard BLS set, a little one-dimensional perhaps? It’s as this thought creeps into your mind that flames hotter than a Naga chilli ceremoniously fired from Hell’s underbelly shoot from behind the stage backdrop and nearly lick the roof of the venue. Just to accompany this pyrotechnic insanity is the substance to back it up as the band ramp up a gear unleashing the big guns ‘Song like Crazy Horse’ and ‘Funeral Bell’ which duly jolts the audience into a roaring appraisal nearly as loud as the band.

Finally the bear himself Zakk Wylde takes a few moments to introduce the musical family to the crowd and treats us to a surprise as a grand piano appears and ‘In This River is respectfully embraced by a crowd now struck still...all taking a personal minute to remember the great Dimebag Darrel. With such a song written by someone who was a true friend of the man, it can’t fail to retain its poignancy and it’s a moment where ego is stripped away. It’s a welcome pace changer and adds some much needed dynamic to the set, from this moment out its BLS ‘meat and two veg’ time, Zakk outshines himself yet again with the obligatory solo spot, this one on the six strings and the crowd seem hell-bent on having their own time in the limelight, screaming back lyrics word for word. It’s demonstrably evident just how dedicated the fans are tonight, how they revel in such a positive atmosphere and are all the happier for this. It’s a joyous occasion that reflects what good honest rock shows can do, bring people closer and share a common love. It doesn’t matter that there were a few niggling sound issues, that a few bum notes may have been hit. This was always the crowds show and by the smiles bouncing off the walls, boys done good.

Review by Asif Salam
Photography by Daniel Gray