ZAKK SABBATH / BONFIRE / DARK CHAPEL – LIVE AT THE OAKDALE
By Ralph Beauchamp
Zakk Wylde brought his dynamic Black Sabbath tribute three-piece, Zakk Sabbath, to a packed Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT with Bonfire Tribute To AC/DC and Dark Chapel for support.
So, on any given day, shit happens. One of my photographers, Jody Wilk, asked if I wanted to cover the Zakk Sabbath show at the Oakdale Theater on 11/21 with him. I immediately said yes. Even though I have seen Black Label Society several times, I have never witnessed Zakk Wylde’s Zakk Sabbath. I was totally stoked. In addition Dark Chapel with Dario Lorina was one of the openers. I am totally into Dark Chapel and I interviewed Lorina for AMP not long ago (see related below).
But as well-laid plans have a way to go awry, an afternoon family event was scheduled for the same day. I calculated I had time to conquer both. I felt confident I could make the entire show. As usual, the Gods have different ideas. The affair ran extremely late and I missed both Dark Chapel and second opener, Bonfire. Jody took awesome pictures of all three bands, so, instead of live reviews, I will comment on Dark Chapel and Bonfire’s music. This way, you can still see Wilk’s gnarly pics.
I don’t know much about Bonfire Tribute To AC/DC outside of the fact that they’re from LA. As far as I can tell, the band is comprised of Sean Mulvihill (Vocals), Diego Russo (Lead Guitar), Sean Colligan (Rhythm Guitar), James Pulli (Bass) and Sean Scott Mccormick (Drums). Their short setlist included some of AC/DC’s top hits including “Sin City”, “T.N.T.” ands “Highway To Hell”. Jody mentioned they were an exceptional tribute band and were a great warmup for Zakk Sabbath.
In all honesty, I think Dark Chapel will be a breakout act in 2026. Besides founder Dario Lorina, (Guitar/Vocals), the band is made up of Brody DeRozie (Guitar), Mike Gunn (Bass) and Luis Silva (Drums). Dario is also a long time member of Black Label Society. Dark Chapel’s sound is like a ceremonial descent into the shadows. It is built on thunderous percussions, cinematic tempos and vocals that demand attention. Their guitars don’t just riff but they drone, scrape and cut. They create atmospheres that feel mystical and foreboding. Lorina’s vocals emerge ancient and deep. In addition, Dark Chapel’s melodies deliver ethereal and forbidden incantations.
Yet beneath the darkness lies a surprising emotional awakening. Dark Chapel often embed fragile melodic shards of beauty to compensate for the heaviness. Brief flickers of luster shine through to lighten the void. What makes Dark Chapel’s sound unique is the marriage of their musical density and spectral elegance. They don’t just build music, they create immersive spaces where their listeners confront the shadows in the corners. Dark Chapel is a band with immense promise.
Now to the live review. Let me put this out there, Zakk Sabbath was simply devastating. From the moment the band stepped on stage, the crowd at the Oakdale felt the temperature rise. Zack Sabbath wasn’t there to nod at Black Sabbath’s legacy, they were there to detonate it. The whole set was full of intense fury and Zakk Wylde is truly a beast. The trio opened with a killer version of “Supernaut”. Drummer Joey Castillo firing the opening pattern with machine-shop precision. Bassist John DeServio (filling in for Blasko and also from Black Label Society) anchored the low end and his tone hit your chest before your ears. His bass felt like thunder.
Zakk Wylde doesn’t try to imitate Ozzy vocally and that’s the magic. He relies on a more rougher delivery that honors Ozzy but doesn’t imitate the master. All through the night, Wylde worked the crowd like a battle commander. He stretched the verses in order to initiate call-and-response moments and the house just didn’t sing, they roared back. Zakk Sabbath incited the audience to organically engage creating a genuinely immersive experience. You aren’t at a concert, you are part of the concert.
The set was entirely insane. Every song felt it was in the right place. “Snowblind” led into “Under The Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes”, “Tomorrow Dream” and “Wicked World”. After each song, the rabid throng threw the mayhem back to the band. This was a Sabbath lovefest. The transitions between songs were seamless. “Fairies Wear Boots” was followed by “Into The Void”. “Embryo” and “Children of the Grave”. As the set thickened, the Oakdale became more ferocious. The Zakk Sabbath fans were in rapture.
Zakk Sabbath left the best for last. “Bassically” was the tinder. “N.I.B”. was the flame and “War Pigs” was the raging inferno. Zack Sabbath had the crowd at a fever pitch. Fists and horns up and every ounce of energy being spent.
In retrospect, Zakk Sabbath isn’t a tribute band. It’s a celebration of one of metal’s greatest catalogues. It’s played by musicians who aren’t afraid to inject their fierce DNA into the mix. If you want to see a show that feels like going to a sacred ceremony with a sidebar of pure bedlam, don’t miss Zakk Sabbath. It’s truly a pulverizing experience.
Views: 767
