It goes on and on and on… it’s HEAVEN & HELL!
And it certainly was. Last night’s show in Boston was, in a word, fucking epic. I’ll do my best to sum it up, but I doubt my words can truly do justice to the amazement that was this performance.
The Venue: The Bank of America Pavilion in South Boston (Seaport Area, Silver Line for you locals) is basically a big circus tent on the water, with a stage. But on this night it was the location of some great rock and classic metal. The view was certainly not bad, sound was plenty loud enough, and the cool breeze off the ocean was a very nice added bonus!
Opening Up: Coheed & Cambria did the honors, and I must say were much better than I expected. Great energy coupled with a fantastic cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” definitely got this crowd on it’s feet and pumped and ready. Interestingly as well, they ended their set playing “Welcome Home” (the one song of theirs I’ve actually heard before, and really like) followed by a 15 minute jam session, which sounded really good without getting too repetitive or boring. Certainly a job well done by these boys!
Let the show begin: Easing in with the instrumenal “E5150”, the metal gods then burst onto the scene into “The Mob Rules”, not wasting any time getting into such a high energy rocking song. The rest of the night was a mix, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, all of it amazing. Much of their music has such a dark, almost sensual groove to it, I know, sounds like a weird thing to say, but it’s there (if you ignore the lyrics and focus just on the music). Anyway, what the gang delivered was a night full of music old and new, with songs off their latest album fitting in perfectly with the classics. And the stage show, demon gargoyles with glowing eyes, weird trippy videos, lights and lasers, it was as much a visual show as audio. I always loved Bill Ward, and his early Sabbath stuff was definitely very influential on my own drumming style, but I have to say, Vinny Appice is an amazing drummer, and perfect for this group. And his kit, wow! He was not only surrounded by drums in a circle, but above him forming a kind of drum dome which made me think just one thing, WANT. Butler and Iommi work together in perfect unison, showcasing both of their just incredible talents. And at 67 (according to wikipedia, so you know it’s true), Ronnie Dio can still belt it out better than the rest, and was god-like in the way he engaged the audience and brought every song to life.
So, short version, if you ever have a chance to see these guys, DO IT. Trust me, this is one not to miss.
The setlist:
E5150
The Mob Rules
Children of the Sea
I
Bible Black
Time Machine
DRUM SOLO!!!!
Fear
Falling Off the Edge of the World
Follow the Tears
Die Young
Heaven & Hell
—————————————
Country Girl
Neon Knights
