Clutch took the stage at the sold-out Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY, to kick off the fall “Psychic Warfare World Tour 2016” last Wednesday night in front of a packed house. A relentless touring band, Clutch has built a loyal following in the Western New York area. Touring in support of their 11th studio album, “Psychic Warfare,” the band has another hit recording to add to its 10 other albums. Drawing on a mix of new and old songs the band’s set list had something for everybody.
Opening their set with the hit “Decapitation Blues” from “Psychic Warfare,” the lyrics go “You’ve been banging your head like a teenaged fool.” The Clutch fans were banging their heads to the opening song and didn’t stop until the music finished at the end of the night. Clutch does not use pyrotechnics, lasers, fancy stage sets, or costumes. They play Rock n’ Roll. Straight ahead, bang your head Rock n’ Roll. Lead singer Neil Fallon stretches the boundaries of rock vocals with a powerful voice that ranges from a whisper to an all-out verbal assault. The trio of musicians behind him (Tim Suit – guitar, Dan Maines – bass, and Jean-Paul Gaster – drums ) pound out a relentless wall of sound that is as fresh as when Clutch began making music 25 years ago. The show built up momentum with songs like “Regulator” from the 2004 album “Blast Tyrant” and “The Face” from the 2013 album “Earth Rocker.” The frenzied pace of “X-ray Visions” and “Firebirds” kept the energy high for the finale of “The Mob Goes Wild”and “Electric Worry.” The crowd was a heaping, sweaty mess when the lights came up. Clutch left yet another crowd ultimately satisfied but wanting much more.
The second act, Zakk Sabbath, led by Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zack Wylde, put on a great show, playing a short set of Black Sabbath hits including “Snowblind”, “War Pigs” (which included a harried walk through the audience by Wylde while playing a blazing guitar solo) and the raucous closing song “N.I.B.” Wylde plays guitar with such energy that makes it seem he is close to being out of control. The line is never crossed though. His playing is vastly underrated and his tone is true to the Sabbath sound.
Opening act Kyng brought a high energy set of rock n’ roll to the Town Ballroom stage. The California-based trio plays a hard-driving style of original rock songs that was received with a crazy enthusiasm by the crowd. Their energy and talent leave you wondering what they will come up with next as they progress in what looks to be a promising career.
Setlist Clutch:
Decapitation Blues
Burning Beard
Noble Savage
Marcus
Struck Down
The Face
Regulator
Sucker for the Witch
Quick Death in Texas
Incarceration
X-Ray Visions
Firebirds
Son of Virginia
Mob Goes Wild
Electric Worry
We would like to thank Doug Weber from New Ocean Media for the credentials to review the show.
