Blackie Lawless is to Rock what the Milky Bar Kid is to chocolate, an unforgettable icon with a legendary status who seems to defy the normal rules of ageing! And tonight at the packed Eventim Apollo he is a man clearly intent on giving the audience a night that they will never forget.
W.A.S.P. @ Hammersmith Apollo
From the moment the lights dropped, it was clear whose stage this was. Despite having a stellar band of incredible musicians by his side, all performing with razor-sharp precision and undeniable power, it is Blackie Lawless who unequivocally owns the show. His voice is ageless, ripping through the classic anthems with the same venom and power that first captivated fans decades ago. You’d be hard-pressed to name another frontman from the era whose vocal cords have defied the passage of time so completely. He embodies the rock god persona, a theatrical, unshakable force, moving with an edgy, timeless stage presence that instantly elevates the performance from a concert to a spectacle. He’s a natural-born, killa showman—a master of the dramatic pause, the snarling delivery, and the commanding gaze that makes even the largest arena feel like an intimate venue.
Support Act: Armored Saint Fights the Sound Gods
The stage was first warmed up by the legendary Armored Saint, a band whose pedigree and catalogue deserve a flawless sonic presentation. Sadly, the sound gremlins seemed to have taken up residence on their side of the stage. Despite the immense energy and enthusiasm poured out by frontman John Bush and the band, the mix was plagued by severe issues for the majority of their set. Bush’s powerful, gritty vocals were often swallowed whole by a muddy low-end, and the normally crisp, dual-guitar attack struggled to cut through the mix, reducing complex riffs to a muffled roar. The drums, too, lacked the necessary punch and clarity, making it a struggle to truly appreciate the sheer force of their classic material like Can U Deliver and Reign Of Fire. It was a frustrating experience for both the band and the audience, as you could see Armored Saint delivering a world-class performance, but the technical constraints hampered their ability to fully connect. Despite the sonic adversity, their professionalism shone through, and they battled on like true metal veterans, earning a deserved ovation from the crowd who appreciated their grit in the face of poor engineering.
A Legacy Forged in Blood and Iron
I still remember the first time I saw W.A.S.P. It was at The Marquee Club for their first UK appearance back in 1992, and they were, without exaggeration, the most thrilling band I had ever seen. For a 16-year-old me who thought I had this rock thing all sorted, it felt dangerous and exhilarating! Their performance back then was raw, uncensored, and utterly thrilling—a savage spectacle of blood, circular saws, phenomenal music, blood and gore and the kind of performance that made rock run through your veins.
The great triumph of this current tour is that Blackie Lawless, all these decades later, still channels that primal, exhilarating energy. The massive venue was absolutely packed, shoulder-to-shoulder, with a congregation of the dedicated faithful from the very front of the barrier to the back bar. This was a night for the proud, lifelong fans, and the collective roar of affirmation with every song felt less like applause and more like a declaration of loyalty. The crowd’s spirit from the very anarchic note was unbreakable.
Adding to the timeless spectacle was Lawless’s iconic attire. This is a man who still rocks his signature black leather and his classic white fringed boots. He wears the uniform of a rock legend because he is one; every stitch of leather, every swish of the fringe is a statement. He was born to rock, and every movement on stage, from the swaggering walk to the commanding microphone stand and rock star poses, reinforces that truth.
A Setlist for the Ages
And what a way to kick things off! The band exploded onto the stage with a furious I Wanna Be Somebody, a bold declaration that immediately set the tone for the entire evening. It wasn’t just an opening track; it was a gauntlet thrown down, demanding attention and receiving it in spades.
The energy from that first chord never truly dipped, as the band powered through fan favourites like L.O.V.E. Machine, The Flame, and Hellion, creating a relentless torrent of classic W.A.S.P. fury. Every riff, every drum hit, every soaring vocal was delivered with the kind of conviction that reminds you why these songs became anthems in the first place. But, this is more than just a nostalgic run-through of their much loved hits; it is a vital, ferocious display that proves Blackie Lawless is still clearly at the very top of his game. His commitment to the raw, visceral spirit of heavy metal is absolute, and his performance is a definitive statement: The legacy of W.A.S.P. is not just being preserved, it’s still being forged, night after powerful night. He doesn’t just play the classics; he inhabits them, delivering an electrifying masterclass in shock-rock showmanship.
The Encore: Legendary Finale
But if the main set was a masterclass, the encore was nothing short of legendary. After a brief tease, the band returned for The Big Welcome and launched into a series of blistering medleys. The seamless transition from Inside The Electric Circus into I Don’t Need No Doctor and Scream Until You Like It was a stroke of genius, keeping the crowd’s adrenaline at fever pitch. Then, to follow that with The Real Me / Forever Free / The Headless Children was a testament to the depth of their catalogue.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, they brought it home with the iconic Wild Child and the absolutely anthemic Blind In Texas. That final double-punch left the crowd hoarse and buzzing, a perfect crescendo to an already incredible night. The encore wasn’t just a bonus; it was a perfectly crafted journey through some of their most iconic tracks, proving that W.A.S.P. knows exactly how to leave an audience begging for more. It truly was the best part of an already stellar show, cementing Blackie Lawless and his band as an unstoppable force in rock.
The Next Chapter: Album ONE Alive!
With the roar of Blind In Texas still echoing, the question now shifts to what comes next for this relentless heavy metal machine. The immediate future is clear: W.A.S.P. is following this run with their massive Album ONE Alive! Tour, an extensive world trek that sees Blackie and the band celebrating the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut by performing the entire album in sequence. While that tour promises a definitive, immersive look back at the band’s savagely primal origins, the greater anticipation among the faithful is for new blood. For years, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next original studio album, hoping to see what the unshakeable Rock God has left to say after a lifetime of redefining metal. Judging by the sheer, undiminished power of this performance, Blackie Lawless still has more than enough venom and raw energy to shock and thrill. The legacy is solid, the history is being celebrated, and the world is waiting to see where he decides to lead the W.A.S.P. Nation next.
Live review and photography of W.A.S.P. @ Eventim Apollo, London by Louise Phillips Music Photography on 28th September 2025.
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