A Night of Nostalgia and Power

Heavy metal titans W.A.S.P. unleashed a night to remember at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE, delivering a performance that was equal parts nostalgic and incendiary. The evening featured the band’s iconic 1984 self-titled debut album performed in full, followed by a fiery encore of fan favorites, cementing their legendary status in the metal world. Joined by Armored Saint as the opening act, the night became a powerhouse celebration of classic heavy metal.

Armored Saint: A Thunderous Opening Act

Setting the stage for an unforgettable night, Armored Saint delivered a blistering performance that electrified the crowd and set the perfect tone for the chaos to come. John Bush, the charismatic vocalist, commanded the stage with his powerful voice, a seamless blend of raw grit and soaring melody. Tracks like “March of the Saint” and “Can U Deliver” pulsed with intensity, each riff and drumbeat reverberating through the venue, igniting the crowd’s energy.

With their signature blend of melodic yet muscular metal, Armored Saint proved why they remain a revered force in the heavy metal world. Their performance was a thunderous reminder of their enduring legacy and a testament to their ability to shake the rafters, priming the audience for the monumental act to follow.

W.A.S.P.: Reliving the Birth of a Legend

When W.A.S.P. stormed the stage, the room exploded with electrifying energy. Frontman Blackie Lawless, an enduring icon of heavy metal, led the charge as the band launched into their groundbreaking self-titled debut album, performing it in its entirety. Joining him were longtime bassist Mike Duda, guitarist Doug Blair, and the drumming powerhouse Aquiles Priester. Together, this seasoned lineup forged a connection with the crowd that bridged decades of metal history.

The show opened with the explosive anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody”, sending the audience into a frenzy as they belted out every word. This 1984 hit encapsulated everything that made W.A.S.P. legendary: searing guitar riffs, thunderous rhythm, and Lawless’s magnetic stage presence. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, with Blair’s razor-sharp guitar licks, Duda’s commanding basslines, and Priester’s thunderous precision propelling the performance.

Tracks like “L.O.V.E. Machine” drew roars of recognition, its seductive groove and infectious riff a nostalgic throwback to the band’s early MTV dominance. The haunting “Sleeping (In the Fire)” highlighted Lawless’s raw vocal power, complemented by Blair’s emotive guitar solo that sent chills through the crowd. Slower yet equally powerful, the song underscored the band’s ability to balance intensity with emotional depth.

The rebellious spirit of “School Daze” brought youthful anarchy to life, while “Hellion” surged with primal energy, its relentless tempo whipping the crowd into a frenzy. “Tormentor,” famously featured in the cult 1984 horror film The Dungeonmaster, captivated the audience with its sinister edge and theatrical flair. By the time they reached “The Torture Never Stops,” steeped in heavy riffs and ominous overtones, the band had cemented their command over the audience.

Closing this extraordinary set, W.A.S.P. proved that their early material remains as potent and relevant as ever. Each note, riff, and lyric was delivered with precision and passion, celebrating the raw energy that first defined the band while reigniting the flames of their legacy. It was a performance that honored their roots, thrilled longtime fans, and reminded everyone why W.A.S.P. remains a towering force in heavy metal history.

Encore: A Theatrical Spectacle of Defiance and Nostalgia

After a brief pause, W.A.S.P. returned to the stage, igniting the crowd with an encore steeped in theatricality and a celebration of their expansive catalog. Kicking off with “The Big Welcome,” the dramatic prelude gave way to a medley of glam metal exuberance, blending “Inside the Electric Circus” (from their 1986 album), the raucous “I Don’t Need No Doctor” (a 1987 single), and the cinematic anthem “Scream Until You Like It” (featured in the Ghoulies II soundtrack). The medley was a whirlwind of 80s-era flamboyance, high-octane theatrics, and unrelenting energy.

One of the encore’s most captivating moments was their cover of The Who’s “The Real Me,” from their 1989 The Headless Children album. Doug Blair’s blistering guitar work added a sharp edge to the classic track, while Blackie Lawless’s powerful vocals roared with intensity, paying homage to the rock legends who inspired them.

The mood shifted with “Forever Free,” a poignant ballad that showcased the band’s introspective side. This reflective moment seamlessly transitioned into the epic title track of The Headless Children, an apocalyptic anthem with complex arrangements and evocative imagery, illustrating W.A.S.P.’s evolution beyond their glam metal origins.

The night reached its fiery climax with “Wild Child,” from their 1985 album The Last Command. Its sultry swagger and rebellious energy had the crowd singing along in unison. Finally, they launched into the quintessential party anthem, “Blind in Texas,” bringing the performance to an electrifying conclusion.

Before diving into the final track, Lawless delivered a fiery speech accompanied by projected imagery of Donald Trump and banners that divided opinions in the room. While polarizing, the moment underscored W.A.S.P.’s long-standing defiance, their willingness to court controversy, and their refusal to conform—an enduring hallmark of their legendary career.

A Divisive Ending: Alienating the Faithful

Before launching into “Blind in Texas,” Blackie Lawless addressed the crowd with a fiery speech. As the band played, massive banners depicting Donald Trump appeared on stage, alongside the infamous “fight” photo from the 2016 assassination attempt scare during Trump’s campaign. The overt political display stood in stark contrast to W.A.S.P.’s legacy of championing themes of rebellion against oppression and tyranny.

For many lifelong fans, it was a jarring and disheartening moment. Lawless, whose lyrics have often skewered authoritarianism and celebrated individual freedom, seemed to align himself with a figure many view as embodying the very oppression he once fought against. The juxtaposition between the band’s anti-establishment ethos and this display of political allegiance left many in the audience visibly uncomfortable, if not outright alienated.

Chatter following the show was ablaze with frustration and confusion, as fans expressed their disappointment in what they perceived as Lawless’s shift from metal’s defiant ideals to a politically divisive stance. For some, it was a betrayal of the principles that made W.A.S.P. resonate so deeply over the decades.

SET LIST:
I Wanna Be Somebody

L.O.V.E. Machine

The Flame

B.A.D.

School Daze

Hellion

Sleeping (in the Fire)

On Your Knees

Tormentor

The Torture Never Stops

Encore:

The Big Welcome

Inside the Electric Circus / I Don’t Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It

The Real Me (The Who cover)

Forever Free / The Headless Children

Wild Child

Blind in Texas

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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With a name like the Starcatcher Tour, one can only assume that it would be nothing short of celestial and magical, and I am here to confirm that it was exactly that. The tour, made up of bands Mirador, Geese, and Greta Van Fleet, brought the visual, auditory, and all-around good time. The crowd dressed to the nines, signs for all occasions, and I definitely felt temporarily welcome into the fan club, but enough of that, on to the review.

Mirador kicked off the night, as they should since one half of the band’s frontmen is none other than Jake Kiszka—yes, the same guitarist from our headliner Greta Van Fleet. Alongside Kiszka is Chris Turpin of Surfburst. A newer found project, the duo leans towards the folk rock end of genres, highlighting not only their guitar skills but hints of vocal talent as well. Of course, being a new project makes for a short set list, but it was just the right amount to hype up the crowd up from the beginning. I am excited to see where this group goes, but for now, let’s
move on to Geese.

The Brooklyn-based band Geese takes the stage. Fitting right in with GVF, the band had a decent year for releases last year, releasing their album 3D Country in June of 2023. Followed later by their EP 4D Country in October, adding an additional four songs to the previous album. The band is fronted by Cameron Winter, who led this merry band of musicians through an awesome setlist consisting of some fan favorites, including “Cowboy Nudes” and “2122.” Needless to say, he led a setlist fit for our main act, Greta Van Fleet.

Hailing from Frankenmuth, Michigan, we find Greta Van Fleet. A progressive rock band consisting of three brothers, Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka, and close friend Daniel Wagner, who people have said could be this generation’s Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin. From their fabulous wardrobe of rhinestone suits to their incredible pyrotechnics, the band was certainly able to deliver a spectacular performance. Josh definitely took the lead; from handing out single white roses to taking props and even a shooter of Fireball from a fan, he was definitely made to be a lead vocalist.

Halfway through the performance, we received an absolutely incredible solo drum performance from Wagner, which lasted for at least 5 incredible minutes. This gave the rest of the band time to get out to their satellite stage for the acoustic portion of the show, which included a cover of “Unchained Melody” with a small snippet of “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” to pay homage to Mister Rogers.

The guys closed out their performance with a three-song encore, which included the well known “Light My Love” and, in true fashion, ended with “Farewell For Now.”

Overall, the night was fun for all and certainly a top tour so far in my book.

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Shelby Tyce

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LORDS OF ACID ARE BACK ON TOUR AND MADE THEIR WAY INTO DC at the 930 Club. It’s been since 2019 that the Lords toured the US, this time they have the latest edition singer Gigi Ricci. 

I have to say Gigi was amazing on stage, such a great performer and entertainer and so personable with the fans and even tho she was a little under the weather and had a sore throat she came out and killed it. 

Of course it always awesome to see Praga again and my friend bassist Dietrich Thrall. 

Lords of acid played a good mix of albums “Our Little Secret”, “Voodoo-U” “Lust” and “Farstucker”.  

This night was even made more super special because we got a Praga set before the lords set which included the Mortal Kombat theme song. I also want to give it up for Trudy who came on the stage with Lords and had GiGi dominate them and spank. Also a quick shoutout to “Sex Bomb Annie” who got tossed into the crowd and took a good licking. 

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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