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THE BAND
- Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals
- Tony Iommi - Guitar
- Geezer Butler - Bass
- Bill Ward - Drums
- Adam Wakeman - Keyboards
CONCERT PHOTOS
None available - if you have any, let me know.
TOUR REVIEWS & REMARKS
From: Michael Jerik
Subject: August 14th Alpine Valley review
Date sent: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 12:14:48 -0500
We got to the show in the middle of Black
label Societies set. It was a beautiful day and that venue is really a
great place to see a show. Too bad none of the first three bands were
worth seeing. Out of the 3 BLS, SuperJoint Ritual, Dimmu Borgir, SJR was
the best. If Anselmo could shut up and play more than one song every 10
min. I would've been a lot better.
Then we got to the good stuff: Slayer, Judas Priest and, of course,
Sabbath.
All three were incredible and I really enjoyed the crowd's enthusiasm as
much as the pro performances by these legends. (yes to me Slayer are
legends)
Slayer could've dug a little deeper in the discography and played a couple
more songs, but It's pretty easy to say that about all three bands. What
they did play it was very good.
When Priest came out the sun had just went down behind the hill behind us,
with the lights and screens more visible, the show had more of a Rock
Concert feel. I don't think I have ever heard better sound in a large
venue. Priest was so Professional in their great stage presence and tight
delivery was thoroughly impressive. They seemed to have as good a time as
the crowd and they had an awesome set. Yes, like Slayer they could've dug
a little deeper for the set list, but it was great none the less.
So just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Ozzy comes out and
starts getting the crowd going. Ozzy has such an inexplicable charisma,
you just have to love the guy no matter if he can only sing 20% of the
material and moves like a grandpa, he just rocks and there is not much
more to say. After that they did a Sabbath medley that was recorded, they
chose some great songs to play snippets from and it really got me psyched
to hear the opening doomy chord of War Pigs.
So now the curtain is drawn and the hammer was thrown down and the sound
was crushing. I was just all smiles from ear to ear. They played with a
boisterous enthusiasm and energy you would never expect from a 50+ rock
band and they were really on. Ozzy had a few moments where his timing was
a little behind, but you would have to be a serious Sabbath freak to tell.
Bill toned down some of his signature drum fills, but he was very solid
and the songs rang true. Tony and Geezer were perfect as always when I've
seen them (6 times) and the show was great.
If you are deciding whether to go or not because it's a little expensive,
trust me it is worth every penny.
I am 33 and have seen a million shows and this has to be in the top 5 of
all time.
Just wanted to send a belated review of
August 14 show at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wisconsin. I drove 5 ½ hours
from Minneapolis since the tour didn't come to Somerset, WI like it
usually has been in years past. I wasn't sure if it would be worth the
drive, but this was for the original Black Sabbath and re-united Judas
Priest after all. So of course it would be great! I know to some Ozzy is
the star, but to me all four of the guys are equally important. That's why
I was so glad that Bill signed on for the tour. I don't think I would have
gone if it wasn't the real Black Sabbath. On to the show...I only saw the
last four bands. Can't say that I found much to like about Dimmu Borgir,
but maybe I'm just old. Slayer was pretty good, but I was really there to
see the two legendary bands from Birmingham. Judas Priest was outstanding!
I saw them earlier this summer when they had a night off from Ozzfest and
played a festival In Cadott, WI, so I knew what to expect. They sound
really good, and were certainly tighter than Sabbath. But there is just
something about Black Sabbath, as I'm sure anyone who reads this site
agrees.
Set list was like other shows:
War Pigs
N.I.B.
Fairies Wear Boots
Into the Void
Black Sabbath
Snowblind
Iron Man
Children of the Grave
Paranoid
N.I.B. and Fairies Wear Boots seemed a bit sloppy, and the sound mix just
didn't seem quite right. Tony's guitar seemed to be lost in a wall of
noise a bit. But they came back with excellent versions of Into the Void
and probably the best live cut of Black Sabbath that I've heard. Snowblind
is a personal favorite so I liked that. I suppose they have to play it,
but I've never thought that Iron Man comes across that well live. It seems
so much less sinister than the recorded version. I would just as soon they
dropped that, but I know it probably must be included. I finally figured
out who Ozzy reminds me of, the way he walks and the hair and mascara.
It's Morticia Addams from the Addams Family! He wasn't note perfect, but
is still the best. I'm not a musician, but I can't say that I heard any
great flaws in Bill's playing like some others have commented on. Yes, he
looks old, but who cares? Now, to not be just a fan who raves about
everything....Is an hour really all they can deliver? For the headliner on
a show that cost nearly $100, I think it's reasonable to expect more songs
than what they played. And they really could stand to vary the setlist, if
there is another tour ever. I've seen them a handful of times post-reunion
and it's virtually always the same songs in about the same order. How
about Symptom of the Universe, or After Forever, or Wicked World etc...I
realize that not everyone is a huge fan like so many of us and they want
to play the "hits", but a little variety wouldn't hurt. God forbid a show
didn't end with Paranoid!! O.k. enough bitching. All in all, a great show
that left me with a huge smile on my face. My only request is that if
there are any future Sabbath tours, they make sure it's Tony, Geezer, Ozzy
and Bill. Accept no substitutes!!!
Willie |
