LIVE REVIEW: W.A.S.P. celebrate 25th Anniversary of Crimson Idol

GIVEN the 25 years since its release, 'The Crimson Idol's is as much as seminal release from W.A.S.P., but is also a moment captured in many fans minds as a moment in their personal lives, making the 'Re-Idolized' date in Belfast a guaranteed sell-out.

There was the expected buzz around the October 18th event at Limelight 1, which unfortunately for support act, The Cruel Knives, meant concentration was not in any way focussed towards the stage.

While they were energetic and engaging at times they were struggling to keep attention away from the bar. There songs were on occasion well executed on the strength of this show it was at times too generic.

With the introduction to The Crimson Idol, 'The Titanic Overture', there was almost feverish in the packed venue as all urged forward. From the off it was clear that the band intended to reproduce each note, each sample and each word as faithfully as the original album release.

Blackie was as commanding on stage as always. He may no longer be the demonic presence at the front, but for a man of his age still stands proud at the front. However, he does step to the back to allow Doug Blair on guitars and Mike Duda (bass) to take their rightful moments in the spotlight.

'Chainsaw Charlie' had the gang vocals of the chorus reciprocated by the audience chanting out "Murders In The New Morgue'.

Playing out the descent of Jonathan across the album 'Hold On To My Heart' was almost achingly close to the original.

The encore opened with a storming cover of The Who's 'The Real Me', invoking another mass singalong, quickly followed by 'L.O.V.E. Machine'  Despite some questionable vocals all were engrossed.

Newer track 'Golgotha', reflecting Blackie's more recent Biblical story telling, is already familiar to all, but the closer 'I Wanna Be Somebody' is the song that has all roaring out ever word, pummelling fists and horns held aloft.

After just shy of 90 minutes an exhausted audience streamed out into the chilly October air, reflecting on the performance and wondering when W.A.S.P. will return, if ever.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

NEWS: WASP set for return to Belfast bringing the chainsaw power of The Crimson Idol

BLACKIE Lawless is bringing his WASP wrecking crew back to Belfast on October 18th for a Limelight1 date that will see the band play the seminal album 'The Crimson Idol' in full, plus hits and smashes from across the band's career.

The US act have been faithful visitors to Belfast since the two shows in then Ulster Hall in the 1980s, making regular return visits, most recently on the Golgotha tour cycle.

With Doug Blair giving a superb performance that night on the lead guitar the 2017 show looks set to be another night to remember for the WASP nation on what is billed as 'The Re-Idolized Tour'

Released 25 years ago, the concept album 'The Crimson Idol' is the tale of excess with the tragic star struck doom of Jonathan Aaron Steel at its core, no doubt a metaphor for many in the LA scene from which WASP was birthed, with autobiographical asides from Mr Lawless' own career.

The cast of characters on the album have some deliciously Machiavellian characters, none less than 'Chainsaw' Charlie and Axel Rodman.

WASP always put a lot of effort into their stage shows, so expect the full 'Crimson' treatment come October.

Tickets, priced £25 (+bking fee) go on sale on January 25th from all usual outlets.

COMIN ATCHA: WASP confirm Belfast date in September

THEY have been loyal to Belfast and main man Blackie Lawless is bringing WASP  back to the city once again on September 17th in Limelight1.

Six years after their last studio album the band have signed to Napalm Records for the release of new album 'Golgotha'

Spawned in Los Angeles in 1982, and gaining notoriety with shock rock tactics amidst the glam scene they were quickly propelled to fame and infamy - especially after the release of the single 'Animal (F**k Like a Beast).

Although Lawless has largely disowned some of that period in his life (Animal is no longer played live) the anthemic 'I Wanna Be Somebody' and 'L.O.V.E. Machine' seemingly haven't aged from the Capitol Records eponymous release in '83/84.

After a series of releases that saw them take a less cock rock approach such as Headless Children, their fifth studio release 'Crimson Idol' cemented their reputation among fans and previously skeptical critics.

Maintaining a steady tour schedule after the 2009 release of 'Babylon' that culminated in the 30 Years of Thunder dates Lawless is full of praise for new label Napalm.

He said: "We're looking forward to years of great success together starting with the release of...Golgotha".

The Austrian label see the signing of WASP as quite a coup.

"With their impressive career and ability to create musical masterpieces WASP have always been one of the most influential metal bands out there since the beginning of their career," said Thomas Caser, Vice President of Napalm Records. "We are thrilled about the upcoming album 'Golgotha', which will be release this summer."

And, of course, that means we should all have a chance to wrap our lugs around the release before WASP brings its metal sting to Belfast on September 17th.

Tickets, priced £25 + booking fee, are on sale via Ticketmaster.