Black Sabbath triumph in Italy!
The possibility of being able to see Black Sabbath live in Italy again for many fans seemed only a pale hypothesis. After the sudden cancellation of the gig at Fiera Rho fixed for the 5 last December, the Black Sabbath kept their iron word and repaid the faithful italian audience for long waiting. The publication of the album " 13 ", the first places in the charts and platinum discs... also bearing in mind the sixteen years since the last time that Ozzy and Tony have played together in Italy, Sabbath fans were on seventh heaven.
18 June, at Unipol Arena of Bologna, the atmosphere is charged with tension, there are alternating moments of contemplative silence to choirs of incitement. 11,000 pairs of eyes fixed on the stage seeking to penetrate the black curtain. Wide-open eyes, ready to immortalize an instant in which Black Sabbath will make their entry on stage. All of a sudden, strong, bursts the voice from backstage: here we are. Here's Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Tommy!
The first sounds of War Pigs explode in the air. Magnificent stage scenery reduced to its essentials, all space to the instrumentation, huge ledwall central above the drum kit and two big screens on the sides, let anyone to follow every move of the masters. Shocking images from horror movies, the volume is perfect, Sabbath's trademark sound is poweful, crisp and so recognizable. Tony's immense guitar and powerful convulsed bass of Geezer Butler: remarkable is the work of sound engineers who have made the performance still more immersive and sensational. Masterpieces proceed: "Into The Void”, "Under The Sun", "Snowblind" and eternal "Black Sabbath".
Tony seems to be an ascetic on stage, totally concentrated on his instrument and focused on every note... with friendly punctuality, between one part and another, he thanks the public that heil him.
Tommy Clufetos copes wonderfully with the heaviest task of sitting on the seat of beloved Bill Ward, and playing the holy of holies of Sabbath discography, respecting the original, but without seeming his pale copy. Stunning drum solo closing the jam leads into the intro of "Iron Man", Sabbath's universally known hit and anthem of headbangers throughout the world. The dynamics of this piece of music, heritage of humanity and registered trademark of Black Sabbath, have maintained their appeal despite the passing of 44 years. The legendary band is praised by entire arena, it is impossible to hold the screams of incitement and hands to heaven!
“Behind The Wall Of Sleep”, “NIB”, “Fairies Wear Boots”, "Children of the Grave" - all highest points of Sabbath career. British Legends leave the stage for a few moments, but the public needs a last pearl: "Paranoid". Ozzy roars: "You’re as crazy as me!" With the monumental initial riff of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" follows "Paranoid", band's absolute hit, in its time, composed almost by accident. Magnificent Iommi's powerchords performed with schizophrenic precision, the public jumps without missing a beat and demonstrates to know, word for word, every verse of the lyrics.
It's even difficult only to to imagine something better: Black Sabbath know perfectly to have given life to a set of highest level and with conscious satisfaction. The boys are on stage, hugging each other, bowing down to receive the honours of a completely conquered crowd. Beautiful is their triumphant exit from stage, through the greetings and applauses of the ecstatic human ocean. Each of the 11,000 Sabbath fans may return home with the certainty of having taken part of their gig of life. For those who had doubts - keep calm - with Bologna show Black Sabbath proved again to be on the throne of heavy metal. Forever.
Setlist:
War Pigs
Into the Void
Under the Sun
Snowblind
Black Sabbath
Behind the Wall of Sleep
N.I.B. (Geezer Butler solo)
Fairies Wear Boots
Supernaut riff
Rat Salad jam (Tommy Clufetos solo)
Iron Man
God Is Dead?
Children of the Grave
Encore: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath riff
Paranoid
By Damiano Zacchia for Metalitalia.com
