W.A.S.P
@ HISTORY, TORONTO
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
When it comes to seeing W.A.S.P. live, 35-plus years after their heyday, I went in skeptical but came out a true believer. W.A.S.P. delivers an intense show with top-tier musicianship and authentic throwback metal showmanship. Musically, the band was in top form, and Blackie Lawless sounded as good as ever, hitting all the high notes from the original material like a boss.
Fans couldn’t have asked for a better ass-kicking from the start than with W.A.S.P.’s hottest track of all time, βI Wanna Be Somebodyβ. The band stepped onto the smoky stage and jumped straight into their blistering set, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
W.A.S.P.βs Album One Alive World 2024 Tour is an absolute hit. Their self-titled 1984 album is played front to back, in order, with hits like, βL.O.V.E. Machineβ, βAnimal (Fuck Like A Beast)β, and more. For throwback-fans who bought the original album (tape or vinyl record) back in the mid-80s, itβs a nostalgic heavy metal dream come true.
While Blackie Lawless is the only remaining original band member, the supporting cast, which consisted of Mike Duda on bass, Doug Blair on lead guitar, and Aquiles Priester on drums, delivered an incredible show and a first-rate musical performance.
After the entire first album was played, the band took a break, then returned with other iconic tracks like βInside The Electric Circusβ, βI Donβt Need No Doctorβ, βWild Childβ, and βBlind In Texasβ to name a few. The show was backed by killer video footage from past music videos and film appearances, like The Dungeonmaster and a Ghoulies II soundtrack video.
From start to finish, this tour is a smokeshow. Iβd see W.A.S.P. again in a heartbeat.
(Photography by Andre Skinner)