The hallowed hall of the Hammersmith Odeon (never gonna take to the new name, ‘Apollo’ - that was Rocky’s nemesis to me!) began filling up quickly after a half hour delay in the doors opening, like a giant pint glass being topped-up with punters instead of Pilsner. The roomful of rockers venturing out this Sabbath eve had come to witness the latest ‘live’ chapter in the wild ride that has been the story of 80’s shock-rock legends W.A.S.P. ...and what an absolute SCREAM it was!

But before the main, meaty meal was served, we were treated to a quality starter in the shape of another band from the 80’s L.A. Metal scene, Armored Saint. With a solid, audio backdrop of long player tracks to draw from - and a solid, stage backdrop of Victorian, freakshow-esque images to perform against - they hit the boards with purpose, punch and penetrating power. Into their stride immediately, they raced through opening track ‘March of the Saint’ like a galloping stallion, then.... decibel disasta! Vocalist John Bush’s mic died. With a noticeable absence of stage technicians and, seemingly, no back-up mic, the band spent the rest of the set playing catch-up, with Bush utilising guitarist Jeff Duncan’s mic for the majority of the remainder. Despite the obvious issue, the band, and especially Bush, fought mightily impressively to give the crowd a show to remember - if true grit was measured by the size of a band’s balls in the face of adversity, then Armored Saint’s ones just hit 11 on a 10 scale! At the set’s end they were given a rousing volley of whoops ‘n’ hollers, the crowd appreciative of their hard graft and determination to entertain. A cracking start to the night!

With a stage furniture re-jig, including the introduction of ‘Elvis’, the iconic, chrome, skeletal mic stand, the scene was set for the entrance of the Masters of Metallic Mayhem, Diablo’s Darlings, self-proclaimed “Most Outrageous Band in the World!” - W.A.S.P. ....and, in an instant, they were upon us, whipping that stinger ‘round in our direction! Led by the inimitable, imposing figure of frontman/rhythm guitarist, Blackie Lawless - all fringed white, badass boots, shock of black, spikey hair, outfit adorned with obligatory buzz-saw blades - one of the original Rock N Roll cosplayers, years before it became a ‘Thing’! Flanked by wingmen Mike Duda (bass) and Doug Blair (lead guitar), and backed by scorchin’ skinsman Aquiles Priester, wadda dynamite sight the four horsemen of our apocalypse made!

This tour was primarily designed to reacquaint the gathered masses with their first album (as if they needed reacquainting!), and from that we got iconic tracks such as ‘L.O V.E. Machine’, ‘I Wanna Be Somebody’ and ‘On Your Knees’, but the set also had them dishing out slightly more recent cuts, equally as iconic, such as ‘The Real Me’, ‘Wild Child’ and über-raucous, cosy closer ‘Blind in Texas’, all played with a snarl, a sneer and a spit of fire that’s been W.A.S.P.’s trademark for over five decades. This was apex, armour-plated, a-grade anarchy ...and the audience absolutely ate it up!

As the words of a Blackie monologue - extolling the virtues of free speech and, more specifically, warning of the impending curbing of it worldwide - echoed in our ears, the show headed for the buffers. Lawless leapt astride his swaying, anatomical mic stand ‘Elvis’, arms outspread, like the Metal messiah he’s always been. Crucified on a Metal cross, it was a fitting end to a show that felt biblical in both scale and drama, a slab of hard-as-nails, Heavy Metal granite, hewn from the fiery quarries of Hades itself! A “Fire-in-the-Hole” performance indeed!

Review: Scott Brett
Photos: John Bull