For having such a larger-than-life persona and incredible charisma on stage, Zakk Wylde has always remained incredibly grounded and humble throughout his legendary career, whether as Ozzy Osbourne’s loyal axeman for decades or filling the role of his friend Dimebag Darrell in the Pantera celebrations shows in recent years. Despite his humility and deference to letting his playing do the talking on stage, Zakk is known as a unique, hilarious, and bombastic individual if you’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking to him, which I have and can certainly vouch for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. Berzerkus Festival, which Wylde first held in August 2024, is the perfect reflection of its creator’s personality he projects to the world – large, loud, and a hell of a lot of fun.
After missing a year last summer due to other commitments and events, including Ozzy’s passing and funeral, Zakk brought back Berzerkus Festival this year, this time with two shows on back-to-back dates. While the main draw was a killer lineup of Dark Chapel, Zakk Sabbath, Suicidal Tendencies, Down, Black Label Society, and headliners Lamb of God, the festival also included a car show, strongest man competition, a battle of the bands, and a hot sauce eating contest, which all fall in line with what one would reasonably expect at a festival created and curated by Zakk Wylde. Prior to each event, there was also a Ride for Dime charity motorcycle event where several fans and supporters rode to the respective venues, and each event featured a booth dedicated to Dime at each venue.
A stroll through Berzerkus Festival to explore the activities.
Some antics from the Strong Man Competition at Berzerkus.
I had the pleasure of attending the Jones Beach Theater on August 29th in Wantagh, New York, which was a single-stage event as opposed to the two stages featured the previous day outside of Scranton. The single-stage meant there was no battle of the bands, but every other facet of the festival remained from the previous day. Upon arrival, I had to stop over at will call to pick up a photo pass, which generally grants access to that little area right in front of the pit for photographers to snap pictures of all performers for the day during the first three songs of their sets. After sorting it out with the venue employees, I was given a pass with the word “Guest” written on it and went on my merry way to see an incredible day of rock and metal seeing a bunch of my favorite bands and my favorite venue.
Well, when I arrived to the photo pit, I ran into an unexpected issue. Usually an unexpected issue is not something to be happy about, but in this scenario it actually took me somewhere I’ve never been before in all my years of attending shows there. The security guard at the front of the pit informed me that I had been given the wrong pass at will call and told me I was not allowed in the photo pit with it. Confused, I asked him where I could get the proper credential, and he pointed to a staircase that led backstage and said,“Go back there and ask the tour manager for the correct one.” It didn’t compute – first of all, I thought, “Sir, don’t you realize that you’re pointing to the backstage area, a place where I clearly do not belong?” And secondly, talk to the tour manager? What world is this?
After the wires uncrossed in my brain, I did muster the courage to walk back there and sort out the issue. The first thing I see once I make my way back in a gear case with Down’s setlist taped right to it. I look to my right at all the rooms, searching for the one that says tour manager, and I’m met with “Dressing Room 1” and a piece of paper taped to it reading: “Lamb of God.” After making my way to the correct spot, I sheepishly knocked on the door and explained the situation, opening with “Hey, I’m probably not supposed to be here, but…” While they sorted it out, I looked around and tried to take in my surroundings: Randy Blythe randomly chatting with Kirk Windstein, Mike Muir walking out through the large curtains to get on stage with Suicidal Tendencies, and friends and families of the bands enjoying a catered Italian meal. While I’m wondering what local spot they ordered in from, I was finally given the correct pass by the lovely people who were working in the tour manager’s office, and left them with, “I should probably go take some pictures now…I promise you won’t see me back here again.”
Now having been backstage for the first time ever at a venue I’ve been going to since I was 15 years old, I guess I was ready to experience the show. I did catch some of Zakk Sabbath, Wylde’s project covering early Black Sabbath tunes, but due to some of the delays I didn’t get any footage. Opening with a monstrous version of “Children of the Grave,” they ran through “Snowblind,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” and a haunting version “N.I.B.,” before closing with an epic version of “War Pigs.” Prior to the finale, Zakk incited the crowd by chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy!” over and over until the fans took over. As is standard at any Zakk Sabbath show, Wylde made his way to the center of the crowd towards the end for a dazzling solo during the extended version of final song.
Suicidal Tendencies took the stage next for my first foray into photography for the day. My first time seeing them was earlier this year at Milwaukee Metalfest, and the pure frenetic energy they bring to the stage and crowd, even after so many years, is really something to behold. This performance was no exception, as Mike Muir bounced around the stage like it was 1986, barely staying in one spot long enough for me to focus up on him. From the first chords of “You Can’t Bring Me Down” to the last notes of “Pledge Your Allegiance,” Suicidal delivered a tour-de-force of the classic hardcore thrash crossover that’s made them your favorite band’s favorite band. One of the highlights for me during this set was peeking over to the side stage area, where I promised never to return, and seeing Randy Blythe absolutely losing his mind during the opening song.
After a brief reprieve, the sonic assault on the audience continued with Down, the New Orleans based supergroup formed in the early 1990s. Featuring Phil Anselmo (Pantera) on lead vocals, Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity) and Kirk Windstein (Crowbar) on guitars, Pat Bruders (Crowbar) on bass , and Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod) on drums, the group’s legendary 1995 album NOLA propelled them to cult status in the metal realm, and tours have been a rare event for the group until recent years. Even had I not been covering this event, I would have been sure to attend as a fan as this is the first show Down has played in the vicinity of the New York metro area since 2015, and the first actually within New York since 2012.
Those expecting to hear a NOLA heavy set, myself included, were not disappointed. After opening with “Lysergik Funeral Procession,” the opening track of 2022’s Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow and “Blood Oath,” their lead single from Volume V due out later this year, the band ripped through six tracks from their iconic debut to close the set. The high-energy “Lifer” was a high point of the set, followed closely by “Pillars of Eternity,” “Hail the Leaf,” and “Rehab.” A crushing combination of “Stone the Crow” and the epic “Bury Me in Smoke” closed the set, the latter accentuated by guest appearances from Kenny Hickey of Type-O-Negative and Greyson Nekrutman of Sepultura amongst others which left no members of Down playing the classic final riff of the song.
Don't regret the rules I broke, when I die... bury me in smoke.
No stranger to pulling double-duty, Zakk Wylde returned to the stage next with Black Label Society. The band is still promoting Engines of Demolition, released in March of this year, and during the promotional tour Wylde had been performing twice a night with both BLS and Zakk Sabbath, an impressive feat considering the large amount of back-to-back shows and the average length of both bands’ sets. Launching into “Funeral Bell” from 2003’s The Blessed Hellride, Zakk reintroduced himself to the Jones Beach crowd with its authoritative lead riff before delivering “Name In Blood,” the last single to be released from the group.
Wylde and company delivered many staples from Black Label’s discography, with “Fire It Up,” “The Blessed Hellride,” “Suicide Messiah,” and closing with “Stillborn,” perhaps the band’s most recognizable hit which featured the late Ozzy Osbourne on backing vocals on the original version. Though now departed, Ozzy’s memory and legacy were very present throughout Berzerkus, as still pictures of the Ozzman were prominently displayed throughout the band’s final song. The highlight of the evening, however, may well have been BLS’ abridged rendition of “No More Tears” featuring Zakk’s iconic solo from Ozzy’s 1991 album of the same name.
As if this all wasn’t enough to satisfy the crowd, Lamb of God closed out the festival with a ripping reminder of why they are still one of the biggest names in all of heavy metal. Frontman Randy Blythe declared to the crowd at the beginning of the set that the band was there to fuck shit up, and from the outset of “Ruin” from 2003’s As the Palaces Burn, they proceeded to do just that. “Laid to Rest” and “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” from the classic follow-up Ashes of the Wake further cemented that Blythe was there to deliver on his promise. While mixing in cuts from their latest effort, Into Oblivion, Lamb of God finished strong with “Omerta,” “Memento Mori,” and their traditional closer “Redneck,” providing a crushing finale to a fittingly larger than life conclusion to an epic day celebrating metal music.
Lamb of God delivering on a promise.
As for my personal experience at the show, it was nothing short of spectacular. Berzerkus Festival was as advertised: a heavy metal experience that extended beyond the music, celebrated the music of so many legendary bands, and paid tribute to a heroes we’ve lost along the way. The festival events and lineup are in line with that personality Zakk Wylde projects to the world: doing everything to the nth degree. The heart and soul of the festival and the performances delivered, however, were more in line with what we all know lies beneath that exterior: a deep respect for music and a humble attitude towards every performance.
As for my story, I did end up seeing the tour manager again briefly in the crowd, and I very proudly did tell her that I did not go backstage again and thanked her again for her help. Although, upon further reflection, I probably could have stood next to the stage for a few more minutes, but I guess there’s always next year. For now though, consider the issue...
Special thanks to Priscilla Vento and 30 Miles North for this awesome opportunity, and to legendary metal publicist Maria Ferraro from Adrenaline PR and Munsey Ricci from Skateboard Marketing for taking the time to speak with me at the event!
In case you missed it, you can check out my interview with Zakk here:
