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The Prince of Darkness still going strong

Ozzy Osbourne and Stone Sour
Lakeview Amphitheater
Syracuse, NY
September 1, 2018
Stone Sour

Words and photos by Johnny Hall

The Godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, has been on and off of the forefront of the music scene for the past 50 years. This summer Ozzy has taken to the road for his "No More Tours" trek, bringing Stone Sour along for the journey.

Stone Sour, the touring machine, are on the road supporting their latest release Hydrograd. This is the sixth studio album from Stone Sour, and their fifth consecutive top 10 entry.

Stone Sour opened the night at 7:30. It was a perfect night in Syracuse, NY, and The St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview crowd was swelling to close 17,000 fans, packing the outdoor venue. With a recorded playback of "YSIF" the group took their spots on stage and tore into "Taipei Person/Allah Tea." Vocalist Corey Taylor donned a sport coat and ran around the stage like a Dervish, whipping his hair around and belting out lyrics flawlessly.

Guitarist Josh Rand had hurt his knee before the show, but that didn't stop him from performing with his band. Josh played in true rocker fashion while sitting down on a stool. Christian Martucci, also on guitar, in a Garbage Pal Kids t-shirt and his Dean Flying V guitar brought a solid lead presence. Johny Chow, an upstate NY native, brought the bottom end of the grooves. Filling out the band and the rhythm section was Ray Mayorga. Ray played his drum set feverishly smashing the skins, keeping on the band on time. Stone Sour played a 9-song set that included songs from their entire catalog. Songs like "Bother," "Through Glass" and newer material such as "Song #3" and" Fabuless" ensuring the capacity crowd heard all their favorite songs. Stone Sour put on a dominating performance opening the show for the legend of metal, Ozzy Osbourne.

The stage was quickly transformed into a gothic cathedral backdrop for Ozzy. With five decades of music under his belt, Ozzy proved he still has what it takes to fill a venue. Coming out to take his traditional post at center stage Ozzy wore a purple cape over his black pants and shirt combo. Osbourne was backed by the guitar wielding Viking himself Zakk Wylde, who played his signature monster guitars, wearing a kilt and his Black Label Society "cut." Blasko took up bass duties for the band, rocking out the heavy grooves on the four-string machine. Also returning to their spots in the band were Tommy Clufetos on the drum set and Adam Waksman on the keys and guitar. Ozzy had his vocals dialed in to near perfection and sounded amazing. He had an almost magical presence about him, and quickly captivated the crowd as he shuffled out on stage.

Ozzy rifled through the giant songs from his solo and Black Sabbath career making sure the fans heard the music they came out to hear. Unfortunately, Ozzy was not allowing photographers, so you will have to go out and see him live at a show nearest you.
Setlists:
Stone Sour setlist:
1. Taipei Person / Allah Tea
2. Do Me A Favor
3. Kneivel Has Landed
4. Absolute Zero
5. Bother
6. Tired
7. Song #3
8. Through the Glass
9. Fabuless
Ozzy's setlist:
1. Bark at the Moon
2. Mr. Crowley
3. I Don't Know
4. Fairies Wear Boots
5. Suicide Solution
6. No More Tears
7. Road to Nowhere
8. War Pigs
9. Miracle Man/ Crazy Babies/ Desire/ Perry Mason
10. Drum solo
11. I Don't Want to Change the World
12. Shot in the Dark
13. Crazy Train

Encore
14. Mama, I'm Coming Home
15. Paranoid

Related articles:

Stone Sour - Concert review - Syracuse, NY - July 2017
Stone Sour (1st Annual Carolina Rebellion) - Festival review - Charlotte, NC - May 2011

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