The first show of Black Sabbath’s 2014 world tour went down in Brooklyn at The Barclay’s Center, filled on this night with hordes of black shirted, black jeaned metal fans of all ages. The group opened with the classic “War Pigs” as Ozzy Osbourne ran back and forth across the stage letting the crowd know that he “loved us all” as Tommy Iommi riffed, Geezer Butler thumped and touring drummer Tommy Clufetos pounded. When it was time for Ozzy to take over, one of the many head-banging sing-alongs was collectively shouted to both the heavens and hell.
While the group is old and physically show their age, they have not withered, as 3/4th of the originals are still going strong (drummer Bill Ward is not touring for contractual issues). A minimal stage show with video screens and occasional lasers do not mitigate the musical prowess the group tosses out. Clufetos on drums certainly helps as the younger drummer never let the songs rest, smashing when it was called for our keeping the pulsing backbeat behind the heavy metal legends.
The set-list stuck mostly to the bands old hits even though the tour is being billed for the group’s newest disk 13. They played just three songs from that current release with the best tune being the creeptastic “God Is Dead?” highlighted by a noticeable bass throb from Butler. “Into The Void” was a trudging monster that took wings and soared, the original combo of “Behind The Wall of Sleep” and “N.I.B” brought it back to the beginning while “Rat Salad” ended with a propulsive drum solo that transformed into “Iron Man”.
“Snowblind” showcased its inspiration as scenes from Scarface played on the jumbo video screens while “Dirty Woman” flashed a burlesque show. Iommi was in his element calmly firing one classic fret run after another as Osbourne clung to his mic and clapped with the crowd. The band may have invented Heavy Metal but the jamming and interplay that was on display could be appreciated by any live music fan.
Chugging to a dramatic climax “Children Of The Grave” soared into the rafters closing the set before an encore of “Paranoid” ended the 16 song show. Who knows how long Black Sabbath will continue to tour but any fan of all-time classically powerful rock and roll should catch them; odds are grandpa Ozzie will love you too.
Setlist:
War Pigs
Into The Void
Under The Sun/Every Day Comes And Goes
Snowblind
Age Of Reason
Black Sabbath
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
N.I.B.
End Of The Beginning
Fairies Wear Boots
Rat Salad
Iron Man
God Is Dead?
Dirty Women
Children Of The Grave
Encore:
Paranoid
