Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
As we walk towards the Belfast Telegraph building on a mild and bright evening, the street is awash with eager Metallers, mainly in the older age bracket, raring to go for a night of 80’s nostalgic rock and metal. It was great to see younger rockers in attendance also influenced by NWOTHM and the mighty W.A.S.P.. The enthusiastic punters lined up in droves for Merch – a sight I’ve never witnessed at prior gigs in the Telegraph Building. On entering the hall, we can’t but notice stage is set up with a large semi-circle of scaffolding, with various WASP circus themed back drops including The Amazonian Women and the Tormentor which is an amazing visual display.
Tailgunner seem the perfect fit for tonight’s extravaganza. Having witnessed the band support KK Priest in Belfast’s Limelight, a little over a year ago, I had an idea of the blend of classic metal style and modern sounding tunes which would entertain us tonight. Tailgunner are extremely reminiscent of early Maiden, Helloween and Riot – one could be mistaken that the guys have been transported 40+ years by time machine to 2025. Not only are they paying tribute to traditional metal music, they are proudly decked in the associated attire, long hair, leather jackets/vests, hi top trainers with sports socks and copious amounts of studs. An illuminated green LED pole stands in the middle of the stage.
Their set commences with Anvil of Crom, the floor is heaving with enthused fans ready to rock!! The band take to the stage and are full of energy and metal enthusiasm. Tailgunner formed in 2022 and released their debut album “Guns for Hire” in 2023, they are not to be mistaken as novices. The five piece are methodical and tight with all the gestures and movements of a seasoned NWOTHM band. What strikes me about Tailgunner, is their solidarity on stage and the endless amount of fun they are having despite taking their live performance very seriously. A roadie runs about on stage very Spinal Tap-esque videoing the band and the crowd’s reactions.
Tailgunner play tracks such as ‘Barren Lands & Seas of Red’, a very well received rendition of ‘Hit the Lights’ (Metallica Cover) and finish with the mighty ‘Guns for Hire’. Craig Cairn’s (Vocals), is a charismatic frontman, fit to whip the crowd into joining the frenzy of the bands live performance. Craig has us pumping our fists in the air and chanting along to the choruses. Tom Hewson (Bass), Rhea Thompson (Guitar) and Zach Salvini (Guitar) are uniform in their gestures, movements and head banging – a nod to a treasured period in 80’s Metal an impressive sight to behold! Rhea and Zach can shred and their solos are exceptional.
The three guitarists are synchronised, incorporating physical movements into their playing. Eddie Marotti (Drums) frantically pounds the drums in synch with his bandmates providing thunderous beats. The last song is met with thunderous applause and Craig lifts the illuminated green pole to show us that the bottom of the stand says TAILGUNNER which is met with rapturous applause. Definitely check out Tailgunner if you get the chance they are not to be missed.
The colossal W.A.S.P. are up next. The hall is jam-packed as we wait with great anticipation. The roadies set up the iconic mic stand of Blackie Lawless. It’s an immense structure on a platform with a combination of an enormous metal spine with a distinctive Terminator metal skull. It is adorned with motor bike handles and is a thing of sinister beauty. It is screwed into the platform due to the sheer size of its construction. Two static chain mic stands are then set up for Mike Duda (Bass) and Doug Blair (Guitar).
The band formed in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, who subsequently is the only original member of the band. W.A.S.P released in 1984 was the band’s debut album. WASP’s album was met with both great reception and great controversy in particular from the PMRC. You know you are of a particular age bracket when you know who the PMRC are. Bowing to the pressure of the PMRC, their record company deleted the controversial ‘Animal’ from the album. The Single – complete with original sleeve and art work depicting a codpiece and circular chain saw, was later released in the UK, on an independent label and became one of the most desired singles in America.
As the stage darkens ‘The End’ (The Doors) begins to play and the excitement is palpable. Next a W.A.S.P Melody rings throughout the hall accompanied by red lights, sirens and gun shots. W.A.S.P explode onto the stage, wearing their signature leather outfits with Blackies trademark white fringed boots and Buzz Saw cuffs, with ‘I Wanna Be Somebody’. Blackie is enigmatic as he takes to his pulpit and commands our full attention with his menacing presence. Blair’s solo is phenomenal and the crowd chant along to the chorus like devoted followers.
‘L.O.V.E Machine’ sees the band’s synchronised meticulous moves – this is a theatrical well-oiled machine. W.A.S.P. are on fire and we are more than happy to go along for the hellish ride. Blair sings the chorus to the heavens whilst shaking his guitar neck in true metal fashion. Blair and Duda provide not only rifftastic solos and thumping baselines but perfect rocking harmonies to Blackie’s high energy, gritty yet powerful vocals on ‘The Flame’ and ‘B.A.D’.
Blackie takes time to lean on his ornate stand and tell us a tale. He reflects on his idea to perform the debut album in its entirety three years ago. He tells a tale of insecurity of whether it was a good idea and eager promoters who thought it was a terrific idea. All but one promoter who advised that Blackie sing the full album in the same chronological running order. Blackie admits he debated this as he would never open up with ‘Wanna Be Somebody’ having opened up with ‘On Your Knees’ for 30yrs. After much debate and a comparison to Led Zeppelin playing ‘4’, starting with ‘Stairway To Heaven’, had Blackie confess the promoter had him by the balls so he agreed with the him. The promoter wasn’t wrong we are savouring every track in its chronological order.
Aquilies Priester (Drums) is a drumming force to be reckoned with and more than proves this during ‘Hellion’. Blackie, Blair and Duda never take their pedal off the metal throughout the show except for ‘Sleeping’ (In The Fire) which along with ‘Forever Free’ (during the encore) see the W.A.S.P. ballad element of the set. The bands playing and performance is Metal perfection. ‘On Your Knees’ sees a welcome return to raunchy metal riffs and harmonies. ‘Tormentor’ saw the official video with clips from the movie ‘The Dungeonmaster’ play in the background. Blackie looks possessed as he sings the lyrics with tenacity.
The band leave the stage following the final track of the album leaving us hungry for more. W.A.S.P return and deliver an outstanding remedy. First a medley of tracks ‘Inside the Electric Circus’/’I Don’t Need No Doctor’/ ‘Scream Until You Like It’. The crowd are head banging and thrusting fists into the air savouring every moment. The next medley to be delivered by W.A.S.P tonight, was ‘The Real Me’/’Forever Free’ / ‘The Headless Children’. Blackie orchestrates the movements of his comrades with a look, a point and occasional tousle of his hair. The band are in perfect synchronicity, it is a marvel to behold.
Blackie takes to the platform to contemplate on how he doesn’t like commercial crap and explains that they have taken this tour everywhere and that there’s a good chance that the band will never play this album in its entirely again. As acknowledged by Blackie himself, we know that we are witnessing history here in the Telegraph Building tonight.
‘Wild Child’ sees the iconic motorbike appear on the big screen. Blackie tells the crowd that he “need’s some help with this” The crowd go wild and there is a sea of older men head banging and thrusting their fists into the air rebelliously. We gleefully sing along to the catchy chorus ‘I’m a wild child, come and love me, I want you”. The atmosphere in the hall is complete nostalgic ecstasy. Priester and Blair rip into ‘Blind In Texas’ the crowd are jumping and harmonising with the catchy chorus. The perfect track to end a superior evening.
Seeing W.A.S.P. is a theatrical experience but Blackie and the lads are consummate professionals and have earned the respect they received in the Telegraph Building tonight. As we spill out into the mild Belfast air, the crowd are engaged in nostalgia and greeting old friends that they’ve shared many a gig memory with. This was a special evening one that we are not likely to forget for a long time.
Photography by Darren Mcveigh for MPM
