Black Label Society Takes Over Detroit
There’s something wild about watching a band essentially open for themselves but that’s exactly what went down at The Fillmore Detroit when Black Label Society and Zakk Sabbath took over a sold out room for a night of pure, unapologetic riff worship.
The night kicked off with Zakk Sabbath, and from the first note it felt less like an opening set and more like a full on headliner experience. Fronted by Zakk Wylde, the band tore through Black Sabbath classics with a rawness that hit perfectly in a packed Fillmore. There’s no gimmick here just loud amps, thick riffs, and a crowd that knew every word. What made it even more impressive was knowing this wasn’t a separate crew warming up the stage this was the same band you’d see later. Every member was already locked in, already sweating, already in full performance mode before the “main” set even began. It set a tone early this wasn’t going to be a typical two band night.
That “double duty” element became the story of the night. Wylde and the entire lineup pulling time in both bands meant the energy never reset only built. By the time Black Label Society hit the stage, it felt like the second half of something bigger rather than a separate set. The transition from Sabbath covers into BLS originals was seamless, like flipping from the roots of heavy metal straight into its modern continuation.
When Black Label Society took over, the room shifted from reverent to explosive. The riffs were heavier, the grooves hit harder, and the crowd responded accordingly massive singalongs, fists in the air, and constant movement across the floor. Songs like “Fire It Up” and “Stillborn” pushed the energy even further, with extended solos and crowd interaction stretching the night beyond a standard setlist. Wylde was the centerpiece throughout ripping solos behind his head, leaning into long instrumental sections, and somehow playing like he hadn’t already put in a full set earlier.
What stood out most wasn’t just the musicianship it was the stamina. Playing one set is expected. Playing two, at that level, without dialing anything back especially in a sold out room feeding off every note is something else entirely. There was no holding back, no pacing for later. If anything, the second set felt bigger, louder, and even more unhinged.
By the end of the night, it didn’t feel like you saw an opener and a headliner. It felt like one band telling two chapters of the same story past and present without ever leaving the stage.