Review: W.A.S.P. – Rock City, Nottingham, UK

March 19th 2023

Reviewer/Photographer: Dan Mann

W.A.S.P. finally made it back to the UK, delayed in part due to Covid. There was a pretty substantial queue outside Rock City when I arrived, for what was a sold out date on the ‘40 Years Live World Tour‘.

I was really disappointed that UK tour dates support, the fantastic South Of Salem, were unable to appear due to apparently the size of the stage, with W.A.S.P. having a proper stage set. Joey, their singer told me he was gutted as he’d really wanted to play Rock City, especially having never been there before.

To a rapturous shout from the capacity crowd, W.A.S.P. hit the stage and promptly launched head first into a four song melody. With Blackie Lawless dominating the stage behind what can only be described as a sculpture rather than a mic stand, it was obvious that the four piece were glad to be on stage and playing to a British audience.

Guitarist Doug Blair played with gusto, throwing shapes and covering the entire stage, whilst bassist Mike Duda was almost menacing in his stage presence, acknowledging the crowd as he  and drummer Aquiles Priester, who pounded the hell out of his kit, underpinned the songs with the necessary heaviness.

A fantastic return to British shores, just wish it was a longer set, and ‘Forever Free‘ had been included on the setlist, but I’m just being picky.