Most
people are only aware of Sweet Savage as the
band that gave current Def Leppard, and one time
Whitesnake, Dio and Shadow King guitarist Vivian
Campbell his first steps towards stardom, so
it was pleasantly surprising to find the ABC
already three quarters full for their short set.
Closing their impressively tight and enthusiastic
performance with a double hit of their own "Killing
Time", made famous by Metallica and an
excellent cover of the Thin Lizzy classic "Whiskey
In The Jar", ensured a decent response
from the crowd and singer/bassist Ray Haller
appeared genuinely touched by how well received
they had been.
The air of expectation as Doro and her band
took the stage was not usually one reserved for
a support act. With an almost two decade absence
from these shores there were many in the crowd
witnessing the metal maiden for the first time
and both they and the band were determined to
make the most of it.
Setting the tone with opener "Earthshaker
Rock" from Warlock's 1985 "Hellbound" album,
Doro had obviously thought long and hard about
what songs a UK audience would want to hear,
as all but four of the ten songs played were
in fact recorded by her original band. "I
Rule the Ruins" kept up the intensity and
it was clear that Doro, the band, are a tight
and impressive outfit. "You're My
Family", the
first song from Doro's post Warlock career,
slowed things down before "Burning the
Witches" sent
her long term fans into a sing a long frenzy. "Night
of the Warlock" and "Celebrate" from
new album Fear No Evil proved that not all of
Doro's
best songs are from the past and they got a good
reception from a crowd largely unfamiliar with
this material. With guitarists Luca Princiotta
and Joe Taylor, bassist Nick Douglas and drummer
Johnny Dee giving their all, the ABC was treated
to great versions of the Warlock classics "Hellbound" and "True
as Steel". The only real missed step of
the night for came in the shape of a slowed down
version of Judas Priest's "Breaking
The Law",
which took much of the momentum out of the set
and in truth didn't benefit in any way
from its reworking. All was not lost though as "All
We Are" from Warlock's "Triumph
and Agony" got the crowd jumping and singing
again. This was a hugely enjoyable set and with
promises as they left the stage of more gigs
in the UK next year, any return from Doro will
be welcomed with open arms.
Doro Set List:
01. Earthshaker Rock, 02. I Rule The Ruins, 03.
You're My Family, 04. Burning the Witches,
05. Night of the Warlock, 06. Celebrate, 07.
Hellbound, 08. True as Steel, 09. Breaking
the Law, 10. All We Are
It's testament to Saxon's new found
determination to be a force once gain in their
homeland, that they have managed to play increasingly
larger venues on each of their last couple of visits
to Glasgow. From playing the 300 capacity King
Tut's Wah Wah Hut in 2004, the "Battalions
of Steel" Tour sees the band headlining an
almost full 1250 capacity ABC. Maybe the much talked
about documentary with legendary promoter Harvey
Goldsmith has played a part in this turn around;
however it couldn't have been done without
Saxon releasing a succession of excellent albums
with newest release "Into the Labyrinth" being
no exception.
Labyrinth opener "Battalions
of Steel" was obviously written with one eye
on it being an epic show starter, its atmospheric
slow build intro is perfect for the band to enter
the stage to, before its heavy tight riff hits
the audience between the eyes. From that moment
Saxon had the crowd in the control and there
was never any danger of them letting go.
Mixing the set between old
favourites, new songs and the odd surprise, the
hardest job that Saxon must have is deciding
what to leave out of their set these days. Being
able to throw out genuine metal classics like
"...And the Bands Played On" "Heavy Metal Thunder",
and "Strong
Arm of the Law" before the night is even
half way through, illustrates perfectly just
how good this band's back catalogue is.
More impressive was playing seven songs from
their newest album without once losing the crowd,
or dropping the standard. "Demon Sweeney
Todd", "The
Valley of the Kings" and the smack in the
face that is "Hellcat", stood up
particularly well against the established numbers.
With the human whirl-wind that is Nibbs Carter
on bass, almost physically forcing the crowd
to punch the air and clap along to every song,
it's
clear that the thought that anyone in attendance
tonight might not have a fantastic time, never
enters this man's head. On stage he is
a joy to behold. Not to be out done Biff Byford
is the complete front man. Posing and pointing
for anyone holding a phone or camera, his easy
stage manner keeps everyone hanging on his every
word.
During their wilderness years Saxon were
heavily criticised for their almost AOR style
cover version of Christopher Cross' "Ride
Like The Wind", tonight however it's
a surprise triumph in the set, with Doug Scarrett
and Paul Quinn's twin guitar attack making
the version on the "Destiny" album
sound positively weak. "Solid Ball Of Rock"'s "Requiem
(We Will Remember)" was also an unexpected
inclusion and Biff dedicating the song to local
music legend Alex Harvey, of the Sensational
Alex Harvey Band, was a classy, well received
gesture.
Closing the main set out with "Never
Surrender", "Live
to Rock" (already a sing a long favourite)
and "Wheels of Steel" ensured the
band's
name was chanted until they came back on stage
for the first of two encores. Even after all
the great songs already played there was no let
up, "Motorcycle
Man", "Crusader" and "747
(Strangers in the Night)" formed the first
encore and with Biff looking like a wrung out
sweaty cloth, but sounding as good as he did
on the first note, "Denim and Leather" and "Princess
of the Night" finally ended the evening.
It's
amazing that a band formed thirty years ago,
are as good now as they've ever been,
Biff's voice sounds stronger than at any
time in his career and Scarrett, Quinn and Carter
make a fearsome live trio, not an ounce of effort
is left on the side lines by these guys. Special
mention must also go to Nigel Glockler, his drumming
is still as sharp as ever and he looked as fresh
when he took his final bow as when he first sat
behind his kit. Saxon are a better band for having
him back in their line up.
On the evidence of this show
Saxon are still one of the best live bands around
and unbelievably they just keep getting better.
Saxon Set List:
01. Battalions of Steel, 02. Heavy Metal Thunder,
03. Demon Sweeny Todd, 04. Ride Like The Wind,
05. Witchfinder General, 06. Strong Arm of
the Law, 07. The Letter, 08. The Valley of
the Kings, 09. And the Bands Played On, 10.
Hell Cat, 11. Requiem (We Will Remember), 12.
20,000 Feet, 13. Come Rock of Ages (The Circle
is Complete), 14. Never Surrender, 15. Wheels
of Steel, 16. Live to Rock, 17. Motorcycle
Man, 18. Crusader, 19. 747 (Strangers in the
Night), 20. Denim and Leather, 21. Princess
of the Night
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