Live Review: Black Sabbath

It looks like the scene is set to shoot Sons Of Anarchy along Olympic Boulevard tonight – motorcycles galore. Official photographers at this event are advised that they should only enter the pit on the understanding that they, together with their photographic equipment, may well get “hit with a bucket of water from Ozzy”. As rumbling bass is felt through boots, there's a rush through turnstiles. Oh, crap! They're opening with War Pigs! Bolt for the designated doors. It's a great audience participation song and Ozzy Osbourne sure puts his crowd to work with constant requests to clap along, point skywards or wave our arms from side to side (sometimes all three in the one song). The mighty combination of Tommy Iommi and Geezer Butler (with their matching customised “Iommi” guitar straps) and their ridiculously rapidfire power chords makes us swoon. Touring drummer Tommy Clufetos ain't no slouch either. He has a tech come over after the opener to remove his shirt for him, then later to tighten the bandanna across his forehead.

Sure, Osbourne stays close to the mic most of the time, relying on a teleprompter, but his vocal gusto is still relatively intact. And he's hilarious. “Come on you fuckers! Let's go!” he enthuses and jumps and claps simultaneously to garner momentum, much like a toddler. There's oodles of (waterproof) guyliner and the frontman constantly splashes his head with water from a bucket at the foot of the drum riser. He later empties the bucket over the front rows with glee. Osbourne's shuffle to the sides of the stage is hilair. Iommi's guitar work in Electric Funeral is unparalleled. Going “back to the very beginning”, Osbourne introduces Black Sabbath, as warped letters spelling out the song's title grace the massive gilt framed back screen that's the centrepiece of a triumvirate. During Butler's solo that closes Behind The Wall Of Sleep, his fingers resemble tarantula legs scurrying up and down the frets to create those dense riffs that fold back in on themselves.

A new track Methademic – from the deluxe tracklisting of Sabbath's forthcoming 13 set – receives a world premiere airing and demonstrates this band are certainly not slowing down into their twilight years with its carnivalesque riffs and Butler's impossibly fast fingering. Osbourne loves a “CUCkoo!” call and response in between songs. And what is that he's swigging out of that giant teacup? The visuals are trippy (with plenty of bare titties) during Fairies Wear Boots and it's hard to believe this song was released 43 years ago. The three veteran members leave the stage and it's Clufetos' turn to solo. Is he the fastest drummer in the world or what? These beats are so close together they almost merge into the one! A circle pit forms during Iron Man with its devastating double whammy melody. Vocals follow the guitar line and it's no wonder Iommi's fingertips are all band aided up. Another newbie God Is Dead? showcases an intricate, galloping drum pattern. Osbourne constantly yells, “I can't fucking hear you!” and gives a dude on shoulders in the crowd the double thumbs up. Main set closer Children Of The Grave inspires mass pogoing and then our metal gods leave the stage.

Osbourne hilariously leads a “one more song” chant from offstage and then warns us we have to go “that fucking extra mile” if they return to the stage. We're treated to an awesomely extended Paranoid during which a grumpy old coot whacks this scribe on the back and mouths, “Siddown!” from his seated position. Nope. One must always obey the talent over the punter. Besides, his legs obviously work since he's sent scurrying up the stairs even before the applause subsides.