Photo Credit: Press

Many have revered the fabled Black Sabbath for more than fifty years. They have impacted hundreds of bands worldwide since becoming a staple in the heavy rock world in the 1970’s. One of those bands that adores the Birmingham icons is Canadian hardcore punk band CANCER BATS. Since 2011, the outfit have performed under the alias BAT SABBATH periodically, with the birth happening in England during Sonisphere Festival. In 2023, they released a five-track EP titled ‘Masters of Duality’. To celebrate the start of 2024 in style, Cancer Bats’ homage to the legendary band returned to its birthplace, the UK.

As the band took to the stage, frontman Liam Cormier was in character mode from the off. Introducing themselves as devotees of the all-powerful Black Sabbath, the room erupted as ‘Children of the Grave’ began. The sold out Leeds crowd were involved immediately with fists in the air in just as the almighty riffs from Jackson Landry detonated through the speakers.

What has been dubbed as a hidden gem by many Sabbath fans, ‘Supernaut’ followed the opening track which was met with a huge cheer across the room, and was followed by the iconic ‘Paranoid’ which set the room alight. Vocalist Liam demanded chaos, and his wishes were granted during ‘Iron Man’ as a sea of fans began to crowd surf their way from the pit to the front of the stage. Liam had to eventually warn the audience not to pull on the pipes that were snaking over the ceiling as they were filled with hazardous waste, all the while maintaining his hilarious Bat Sabbath persona.

Continuing with the set which included ‘Into the Void’ and ‘Fairies Wear Capes’, it was time for the almighty ‘War Pigs’ to bring out the best from both the band and the audience. The whole room clapped along to the intro, creating an atmosphere just like a true Sabbath concert, singing along to the point you could barely hear Liam belting out those iconic lines and delivering justice to a song that many people miss hearing live.

Now the tribute was complete, Cancer Bats returned to the stage for one more song, this time in their true form and treating the Leeds mob to a real throwback that was ‘Pneumonia Hawk’. This punk hardcore classic used up the remaining energy left in the room, giving fans that typical Cancer Bats performance that their fans love.

The power behind every song on the night echoed those early Black Sabbath years, with their worship now concluded, the legend of Geezer, Bill, Tommy and Ozzy continues to live on in the form of Bat Sabbath.