Photos and review by Zachary Katsock
The Berzerkers were out in full force early in the day ready to rock at Montage mountain in Scranton on Aug. 28. Berzerkus Fest, founded by longtime Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, was an all-day affair, with doors opening at 1 p.m. with performances on the side stage outside of the main venue consisting of tribute acts Use Your Illusion, Fan Halen and Bonfire. The last performer at the side stage was Zakk Sabbath, Wylde’s tribute to Black Sabbath, playing songs that included “Children of The Grave,” “Fairies Wear Boots” and “War Pigs.” The outside performance area also had food trucks, a car show and a hot- sauce-eating contest.
The acts in the main venue began with Dark Chapel delivering an exceptional set. Suicidal Tendencies took the stage at 6:05 p.m. with a wild performance that found the band members running from each side of the stage and jumping of the drum riser. This is when the crowd surfing began. The supergroup Down, led by Pantera singer Phil Anselmo of Pantera, was up next. During its last song “Bury Me in Smoke,” members of Suicidal Tendencies came on stage and played the outro.
The curtain dropped for Black Label Society and the heaviness of Wylde’s guitar playing began with the opening song “Funeral Bell.” After “Heart of Darkness,” Wylde went into one of his most iconic solos from his time with Ozzy, “No More Tears,” then sang the final section of the song. Black Label Society’s set closed out with song “Stillborn,” which included photos of the late Osbourne on the screen behind the band. The main headliner was Lamb of God, the heaviest of all the bands, delivering a 14-song set.
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