Concert Reviews

W.A.S.P Pittsburgh: Photos and Review

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2022

Josh Drespling

WASP’s 40th Anniversary World Tour 2022 – Pittsburgh PA

By Josh Drespling with additional photos by Ron S.

The winged assassins, W.A.S.P. made their way to the blue collar town of Greensburg Pennsylvania which sits just outside of Pittsburgh. For one night only they took up residence in the over one hundred year old majestic Palace Theater.

W.A.S.P. performs at The Palace Theater in Greensburg, PA Nov 13, 2022. W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless, Mike Duda, Doug Blair, Aquiles Priester

What was dubbed “The 40th Anniversary World Tour” saw the band set foot in the United States for the first time in over a decade. There were rumors that front man and W.A.S.P. mastermind, Blackie Lawless swore to never tour in the US again due to the logistics and financial ramifications. He spun the new tour, touting the influence of the fans and their action to make promoters realize that bringing W.A.S.P. to any given town was a viable decision.

In reference to the world tour that kicked off in Milan, Italy on March18th of this year, Blackie had this to say “For the W.A.S.P. 40th Anniversary World Tour we’re going back to the beginning. We’re taking the show back to where it all started. Complete with all the fire and all the blood that shocked the world the first time. We only did this type of show on the first world tour and never did it again…until now! I’m gonna scream and I’m gonna bleed, cause I wanna be somebody! We’re taking everybody back…back to the beginning!”

For the sold out show in Greensburg, Armored Saint held down the opening slot duties with their signature brand of metal. Despite vocalist John Bush being under the weather they plowed through a set that spanned their entire career including the track “Chemical Euphoria” from their 1987 release Raising Fear along with “Can U Deliver” from the band’s first full length, 1984’s March of Saints. The band also performed “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” from their mid-pandemic release, Punching the Sky.

WASP proudly took to the stage following an intro comprised of small clips of some of the band’s most memorable numbers mashed together into a whirlwind of chaotic sound. Blackie Lawless was clad in a black WASP t-shirt with added arm coverings, paired with his signature white leather fringed boots and knee pads. The balance of the band: bassist Mike Duda, guitarist Doug Blair, and drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester preceded Blackie on the stage. With his fist raised triumphantly in the air he pointed to the sky as the band broke into the opening riff of “On Your Knees” from W.A.S.P.’s 1984 self-titled debut album.

Every voice in the theater shouted along to every single word of a medley of the classics “On Your Knees”, “The Flame”, “The Torture Never Stops” and “Inside the Electric Circus”. The voices in the crow overpowered much of the vocals coming from the stage. Despite the thousand back-up singers, Blackie’s voice cut through the mayhem and his signature gravely voice sounded better than I could ever imagined. In fact, I might suggest that some of these other aging rock stars embrace whatever vocal exercises Blackie has been performing. We will gloss over the moment that bassist Mike Dude took a step backward and tripped over a wire, his own feet, or a shadow and landed on his rear-end. Guitarist Doug Blair was quick to the rescue and lent him a hand up as they both laughed off the comical incident in an otherwise “serious” rock show.

Without missing a beat W.A.S.P. pummeled the audience with another crowd pleasing number in the iconic classic “L.O.V.E. Machine” also from their debut release as the MTV era music video played on large screens behind the band. Moving ahead to “Wild Child, the lead track from 1985’s The Last Command. The band also performed amid the music video projected on the screens making up part of their backdrop.

Once the crowd had been properly whipped into a frenzy, Blackie announced that “In addition to it being the 40^th anniversary of the band, it is also the 30^th anniversary of The Crimson Idol album. We are going do do a few songs from that album right now.” They began with “The Idol”, who’s lush and extended guitar solo exhibited what an amazing guitar player Doug Blair is. He mesmerized the entire crowd with his playing of the nearly four-minute solo. Falling is order were “The Great Misconceptions of Me” and “Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)” which saw the band bathed in bans of blue light and atmospheric smoke.

Breaking the more subdued tone of the Crimson Idol section of the set was the iconic drinking anthem “Blind in Texas” which once again had the entire venue singing along to every word before the band exited the stage.

After a brief pause Blackie and his fellow musicians returned to the stage and preformed the controversial and cartoon-like “Animal” one of the most famous W.A.S.P. songs, but without a doubt one of the most lack luster selections in the band’s expansive catalog. This was a shortened version on the song they transformed into “The Real Me”, The Who cover song from the bands most underrated release The Headless Children.

At this point Blackie stepped up to Elvis, his mic-stand monument made of a cold steel spinal column topped with a skull and crossbones and two arms with human skeleton hands holding what appear to be motorcycle handlebars. He proceed to profess how thankful he was for the fans and explained how promoters did not believe that WASP could still sell tickets. He said that “Tonight is sold out, last night was sold out, and many more of the dates on this tour are sold out.” He continued “It is all because of you the fans. You guys got on social media. It was not hundreds of you, but thousands of you and I’m grateful for that” With that he shouted “I WANNA BE SOMEBODY!” as the band broke into the signature song of the same name. While the band played photos and the names on every past and present member of WASP were projected on the screens behind them along with a list of thank yous of people who helped make WASP “somebody”.

As the song wound down, Blackie climbed on top of “Elvis” and threw his hands up, shouting “We Love You. Thank you!” He stepped down and spoke into he mic; saying “Good night. We will see you next time.” Thus lighting the flame of hope for them returning for another tour.

Few bands in history have generate such a catalog of rebellious sing-a-long anthems and managed to mature into a band that produced epic concept albums and straight ahead rockers that have moved multiple generations of fans. Despite the loss of several key members over the years (Chris Holmes, Randy Piper, the late Frankie Banali, and Johnny Rod) Blackie has been able to steer the freight train that is WASP towards musical perfection time and time again.

The 40^th Anniversary World Tour will soon be winding down, but hopefully due to the success of this leg of the tour they will consider scheduling more dates in the US and abroad. If you have the opportunity I encourage you to catch the show, it is undoubtedly a memorable one.

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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Concert Reviews

CANCER CULTURE 2024

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2024

George Archibald

It has been several years since Decapitated has been in the states touring, the last time was cut short due to unforseen events. These death metal veterans are now back traveling with a tour de force. The 2024 Cancer Culture tour with Septic Flesh, Kataklysm and Allegaeon at Pittsburgh’s own Preserving. Preserving has become a go to venue to catch heavy acts traveling through the area. A former church serves not only as a place for concerts but, also a full record store and museum dedicated to heavy music. It’s a must stop for any one into heavy music and the touring band scene.

Opening the night was Allegaeon, hitting the stage they werr full of energy warming up the crowd. Concert goers were head banging and push moshing away as the band played through Iridescent into Of Beasts and Worms. The guitar work of Greg Burgess and Micheal Stancel were on point throughout the set as the guys egged at each other while keeping the energy high and playful. Vocalist Ezra Haynes also kept the crowd engaged through out as he paced the stage furiously.

Kataklysm was next churning an already excited crowd into the gears of a machine. Their grinding death metal styling got the crowd moving and churning along. Kicking things off with Goliath the band kept a relentless pace. Crowd surfers and moshers a like threw down as the band ripped through Crippled and Broken and Bringer or Vengeance before closing out.

Septic Flesh came out with their own flare of symphonic death metal. The crowd at this point was like an open sea with ebb and flow to each beat like waves reverberating. Each song having a grand cadence, marching their fans even further into the chaos. Kicking off with Portrait of a Headless Man, a blanket of fog and blistering strobes set the mood. The band played throughNecromancer and Martyr as the crowd continued to thrash and sway, other standout performances were Persepolis, and Anubisbefore closing out with Dark Art. Many times vocalist SpirosAntoniou, addressed the crowd thanking them with arms raised to the sky, for all of the welcoming energy and support as they came a long way from Greece to be here with everyone.

Decapited closed out the night. As the last few bars of From Whom the Bell Tolls played out the stage went dark, kicking right into From the Nothingness with Love right into CancerCulture, the crowd exploded. Moshers and crowd surfers went off, so much so that guitarist Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kieltyka addressed the crowd asking them to watch rushing the stage. The chaos kicked right back up as the band ripped through Just a Cigarette. Other stand outs from the night were Sphere of Madness, EarthScar and Iconoclast, which the band dedicated to Vitek their former drummer who had passed.

Cancer Culture 2024 tour is running until May 19^th where it wraps in Los Angeles, Ca. If you have a chance to catch this tour live, you won’t be disappointed, just be prepared to mosh or crowd surf to your hearts desire.

About Author

George Archibald

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Concert Reviews

Sum 41 :Tour of the Setting Sum Baltimore edition

Published

7 days ago

May 1, 2024

Ron

Sum 41 came into Baltimore on their final tour, Bringing along with them The Interrupters and openers Joey Valence & Brea.

Joey and Brea opened up and I wasn’t quite expecting to hear the type of music they play. It’s a cool sorta tribute/Style of the Beastie Boys. They had super energy and was a fun way to open up the show.

The interrupters played next. They are a ska/punk band from LA. This band had super energy as well the guitarists were jumping all over the stage and singer Aimee was a bundle of joy to watch on stage such an amazing voice but also looks like she’s having so much fun on stage and interacting with the crowd .

This was my first and I guess last time I’ve seen Sum 41. I remember when “All Killer No Filler”album came out they were everywhere. My friends were into the punk scene and I checked them out. I loved the energy and remember watching a home video they sold with crazy antics and shooting water guns at drivers and cars.

The set list was a good mix of old and new with the latest and last album “Heaven x Hell” having a good chunk of that set list. I was happy to hear “Fat Lip” live and was blown away by them doing a few seriously metal songs. They did a cool version of “We Will Rock You” and did a cover of Social Distortions version of “Ring of Fire”.

The crowd was filled at pier 6. Young and old were among the crowd that were mostly ur late 30s punk kids and the new wave of punk kids. It was a super fun show and I’m glad to say I’ve seen Sum 41 play at least one show. If you get a chance to check them out while they’re on the final tour go do it, even if it’s just for a quick stroll down the nostalgia highway.

About Author

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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Concert Reviews

YOU WANT BLOOD?YOU GOT BLOOD. THE BLOODIEST BAND IN THE WORLD…….GWAR

Published

1 month ago

April 1, 2024

Ron

GWAR invaded the Baltimore Soundstage once again bringing with them Fuming Mouth and Cancer Bats. Oh yeah and lots of blood.

Fuming Mouth opened up the set. Hailing from Massachusetts, Fuming Mouth got the crowd in a frenzy. Demanding the crowd to circle pit and do a wall of death. Singer/guitarist Mark Whelan also was wearing a GWAR shirt. Fuming mouth was fast and angry and got the crowd ready for the night.

Cancer Bats who come all the way from Toronto Canada were up next. This in your face hardcore band got the crowd right back into going crazy. Singer Liam Cormier was all over the stage. Cancer Bats did a kick ass version of Beastie Boys “Sabotage” and since this was the last show on the tour Sawborg Destructo from GWAR came out on stage sang “War Pigs” from sabbath before killing Liam.

GWAR was up next. This was the first time for us in Baltimore to see the newest addition to GWAR guitarist Grodious Maximus ( he’s not Pustulus). Of course when GWAR comes into town you know chaos and madness will ensue and there will be blood. While I was in the photo pit getting prepared for the onslaught of blood I was grabbed by the back of my hoodie by bonesnapper as he was battling against Sawborg and the blood went gushing all over my back.

GWAR always puts on a hell of a show and the fans came out in full selling out the soundstage. Lots wearing white shirts to keep as bloody souvenirs. There also was an appearance by jesus as this was the day before easter. GWAR played a good set mixed in with new and old songs, some I haven’t heard for a while.

The band always puts on a hell of a show. Blothar, Balsac, Jizmak, and Beefcake thrash and trash the stage always. Grodious was an amazing addition, not only did he slay on that guitar but was all over the stage and a few times jumped off stage to jump into the front of the crowd . Even Balsac joined in on the fun and made his was to the Merch area while the band was playing.

I love going to GWAR shows. It’s always a family reunion with fans of GWAR all reuniting for the enjoyment of horror and rock music. You never know who’s going to be there. Even President Joe Biden was there , he may have been a little confused and eventually annoyed GWAR enough that they took off his head and yes the blood hit the crowd.