Last night, Sunday, July 27, 2025, Rock City wasn’t just a venue—it was a cathedral, and Blackie Lawless was the unholy preacher. The second those lights dimmed, you could feel the collective pulse of the crowd—hearts pounding, hands ready to worship every note of that iconic debut album. For me, this was always going to be a celebration of a night decades in the making—and honestly, it was the best they’ve been since that first tour back in the 1980s.
A Personal Journey with W.A.S.P.
I first came across W.A.S.P. in the 1980s—back when there was no internet, no mobile phones, and the only way to discover bands was through your local record store. For us, it was Way ahead Records, and Saturday was our pilgrimage. One Saturday, they played a bootleg video of this new band called W.A.S.P., designed to shock and grab attention—that’s how you went viral back then, pure word of mouth. When they announced a show at The Palais, we had to go. As the lights dimmed, strobes kicked in, and there stood Blackie with his guitarist and bassist on chains, held back like dogs—this was pure rock theater. As we left, priests stood outside ready to save our souls (yeah, for real). The price for that night of debauchery? £3.50.
Ticket and photo by Kev Beardsley
The Band & Blackie’s Swagger
Last night, Blackie Lawless strutted out like he owned the place—because, honestly, he did. At 68, he’s still got that razor-edged charisma, the kind that makes you want to scream along. He revealed the Album One Alive tour idea came to him four years ago, a concept everyone loved until they realized it meant starting with “I Wanna Be Somebody”—usually an encore—flipping the night’s energy from the start. Mike Duda and Doug Blair threw gasoline on the fire, riffs biting and snarling like caged animals. Aquiles Priester’s drumming hit harder than a jealous ex, driving the set with relentless power.
The Album Come to Life
The night kicked off with “I Wanna Be Somebody,” its defiant roar echoing teenage rebellion, followed by the sleazy punch of “L.O.V.E. Machine.” The full debut album unfolded with “The Flame,” “B.A.D.,” “School Daze,” “Hellion,” “Sleeping (In the Fire),” “On Your Knees,” “Tormentor,” and “The Torture Never Stops,” each delivered raw and untamed. The crowd’s vocals shook Nottingham, especially during the haunting “Sleeping (In the Fire).” The encore was a wild medley—“Inside the Electric Circus” / “I Don’t Need No Doctor” / “Scream Until You Like It,” then “The Real Me” / “Forever Free” / “The Headless Children”—before “Wild Child” stole the show. Blackie started it solo, letting it build as the crowd grew louder and louder, delivering the night’s best response. It closed with the raucous “Blind in Texas,” pure carnage: sweat, screams, and a love letter to metal. Blackie noted this tour has been everywhere and hinted, “You are lucky to be here as I don’t think we will ever play this album in full again.”
The Vibe
Rock City was alive. The energy was feral, the air thick with that intoxicating mix of beer, leather, and anticipation. It wasn’t just a gig—it was a seduction, a wild dance between band and fans, with stage theatrics amplifying the chaos, mirroring that first shocking night at The Palais. This felt like a return to the raw power of the 1980s.
The Verdict
Last night wasn’t just W.A.S.P. proving they still have it—it was them grinning and daring anyone to even question it. Blackie Lawless didn’t just sing, he owned our souls for around two hours and left us begging for more. Album One Alive? More like Album One set on fire. If you weren’t there… you missed a love affair between metal and chaos, a perfect tribute to that £3.50 memory—and the best they’ve been since those wild 1980s nights.
W.A.S.P. – Album One Alive @ Rock City Review @RockNews
