Concert Review
Vinny Appice’s Sabbath Knights
The Backlot Entertainment Venue
(The former Braun’s)
Akron, NY
Thursday August 17, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Dio fame brought his latest project Sabbath Knights to The Backlot Thursday evening. His band consists of Buffalo native vocalist Jim Crean who is enshrined in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, guitarist Artie Dillon and bassist Jimmy Caputo. These guys did the unthinkable and pulled out a crowd pleasing set that featured songs from both Black Sabbath and Dio. Appice played with Ronnie James Dio in both bands as well as the band Heaven and Hell.
The set began appropriately with “Turn Up The Night” which was the perfect anthem to set the tone for the evening. It was all Sabbath for the first part of the set. Rare cuts featured was “Voodoo” and “The Sign of the Southern Cross”. The first Dio song was “Stand Up And Shout” from Dio’s 1983 gem Holy Diver. I would say this was the strongest song of the night from all aspects. Crean nailed the vocals and Dillon was spot on. Other standouts from the set were “Neon Knights” and the Dio classic “We Rock”.
Overall an extremely solid set. Appice has assembled a very capable band which allows him to deliver the material in prime form. With no other Sabbath members out touring these days this is the only place you can hear all these classics and Appice delivers in spades. Would love to see some deeper Dio solo cuts the next time.
The former Braun’s concert venue was the perfect venue for this show giving the ample room making it a very comfortable show and a very solid Thursday night crowd to boot. With many other concerts and events going on in Western NY the same night, it was good to see the Backlot bristling with a great crowd.
Set List
Turn Up the Night
Children of the Sea
The Mob Rules
The Sign of the Southern Cross
Voodoo
Stand Up And Shout
Holy Diver
War Pigs
Neon Knights
Heaven and Hell
We Rock
Rainbow in the Dark
Iron Man
