W.A.S.P | LIVE REVIEW
Tramshed, Cardiff, Tue 24 Oct
Re-Idolized is the name of the tour and glam-shock rockers W.A.S.P are back in town to play 1992’s The Crimson Idol, complete with conceptual film, in its entirety. Now I remember the original tour for this album coming to St David’s Hall, such was their status back then, but in fairness the Tramshed in Cardiff is near capacity tonight, with loyal W.A.S.P fans clamouring to see the boys again.
The Crimson Idol is very much W.A.S.P’s The Wall, but not everyone’s cup of tea – unfortunately, that shows tonight when they arrive. Frontman Blackie Lawless striding onstage sporting his trademark white cowboy boots, the band are welcomed with an impressive ovation. The problem is, a band like W.A.S.P need to kick off with something to get the crowd pumped; as impressive as it is to have the film running while the band play, it allows for no audience interaction, so proceedings don’t really get going until Chainsaw Charlie four songs in. This noticeably energises the crowd and the band seem to feed off that, giving more gusto to their performance.
Doctor Rockter and I Am One are belted out with new touring drummer Aquiles Priester, a great addition to the current lineup, playing an absolute blinder in the engine room. Things slow down slightly for the slower, but no less powerful The Idol, featuring some great solo work from guitarist Doug Blair. The Great Misconception Of Me rounds off The Crimson Idol part of the set, the band departing and leaving the crowd baying for more.
Who cover and W.A.S.P setlist staple The Real Me sees the band return to the stage, before the classic L.O.V.E Machine gets the best reaction of the evening. Golgotha, from their recent album of the same name, is rolled out, with I Wanna Be Somebody rounding things off. Not a great set, with plenty of fan favourites absent, but this wasn’t a greatest hits tour and I’ll sure they’ll be back to tear us all a new one in the future.
words CHRIS ANDREWS
