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

LIVE REVIEW: WASP wow the Limelight in pure showbusiness style

NEVER mind the overblown stage clothes, never mind the doubts over vocals, never mind the vaudevillian vacuous nature of everything - that all comes to nothing because 17th September WASP were back in Belfast and on top form; c'mon it's motherfucking WASP, it's gonna be fun!

Their loyalty to play all parts of the UK and Ireland is without doubt and the 33 years on the road mean the expectation of a packed audience is always delivered.

However, that cannot be said about The Treatment. Competent and with the tunes that should please instead it was marred by the constant cajoling for the crowd to applaud and shout. And, what's with the fashionista hair styles?

There may only be two members of the original line-up but the musical soul of the band is intact. Tunes such as 'The Doctor' 'Bloodsucker' and 'I Bleed Rock 'n' Roll' are catchy, riff packed hard rock. They have an undoubted stage presence, but by just throttling down a bit it could have been more enjoyable.

When they next play Belfast it is sure that they will have gained more fans, but on 17th September they seemed to forget that many were getting the beers in preparation for WASP.

Blackie first brought the LA madness to Belfast in the mid-1980s, and has consistently returned with various incarnations. A sold-out Limelight1 roared approval when the band came on stage; echoes of past glories washed away into a deliver of where WASP are in 2015.

The energy of songs such as 'Inside The Electric Circus' and 'L.O.V.E. Machine' are contagious as the audience sang almost every word and shouted themselves hoarse on every chorus.

Four songs in a storming version of The Who's 'The Real Me' took the energy levels up another proverbial notch.

With the new album 'Golgotha' about to be released lead single 'Last Runaway' received a solid response and the large screens flanking the stage showcased creativity in terms of a stage show.

But one obvious drawback was the breaks the band took, such as for 'The Titanic Overture', which brook up the intensity of the set and caused mounting queues at the bar...

With the title track of the new album played Blackie's overt Christianity is once again on display - while the days of 'Animal' and exploding cod pieces are well in the past no-one seems to mind this change.

Certainly by the time of the encore the audience was hanging on every note of Doug Blair's playing and every gesture of Blackie. His propensity to turn his back on the crowd at times was perplexing, as was his movement away from the mic during 'Wild Child's chorus; but all that came to nowt as the audience roared to both 'Wild Child' and 'I Wanna Be Somebody'.

When WASP come to town it is a reminder that great songs, great stage show and great audience response makes a helluva metal show. It was not perfect, but it was a super night.

Review by Jonny

Pictures by Darren McVeigh

No reproduction of text or photos without permission

 

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.