The Iron Maidens - 29 October 2017, O2 Accademy Islington, London

Not strictly an 80's Metal band, but they are the only Iron Maiden female tribute band in the world! Iron Maiden are one of my favourite all time bands and having missed out seeing The Iron Maidens a year ago at the same venue,  I wanted to see them this time around. The stage was set with a plethora of Iron Maiden gimmicks which certainly set a good atmosphere. Their set list not only plays the Maiden classics but also songs they very rarely play ( "Infinite Dreams", "Losfer Words" & "Flash of the Blade") or have never played live ("Alexander The Great" - this was worth the admission alone)! Their musicianship was of the highest quality with the singer (Kirsten Rosenberg) doing her best Bruce Dickinson impression ("scream for me London")! For their encore they had a guest appearance of Maiden's original vocalist, Paul Di'Anno, on "Wrathchild" and "Iron Maiden" (with an Eddie doppelgänger running through the crowd!) Thoroughly entertaining. If you can't get to see the real Iron Maiden, then these girls are the next best thing.

Rating: 8/10

Setlist: Intro - Doctor Doctor, Churchill's Speech, Aces High, Infinite Dreams, Wasted Years, Losfer Words (Big 'Orra), The Trooper, Flash Of The Blade, Can I Play With Madness, Montsegur, Number of the Beast, Alexander the Great, Running Free, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Wrathchild, and Iron Maiden.

W.A.S.P - 27 October 2017, O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

Confession time! I think I might have been the only person here tonight that had not listened to the "The Crimson Idol" album in full! Apart from the singles ("Chainsaw Charlie" & "The Idol", the rest of the album was a mystery to me.In the age of Spotify, I should have listened to the album before going to the concert. I didn't so my mistake! I got the impression that this was good album, however I went home from the concert disappointed. The clue was the title of the tour - "Re-Idolized: The 25th Anniversary of the Crimson Idol".Don't get me wrong, I like W.A.S.P but playing an album in it's entirety that I'm not familiar with, well that's my fault.Despite my misgivings it was a packed Forum and all around me the crowd were really getting into it. On stage were video screens showing film snippets that were specially made to back up the album. I found them a bit distracting especially when they kept repeating themselves.Once the album had been played in full, the encore consisted of a 'classic hits' set of 5 songs. Again I was disappointed, why play "Golgotha", when they have plenty of other songs in their back catalogue! W.A.S.P these days just consist of Blackie and as he is now religious some songs won't even get a look in ("Animal" for example). Hopefully next time I see them I would have finally got round to listening to "The Crimson Idol"!

Rating: 5/10

Setlist: The Titanic Overture, The Invisible Boy, Arena of Pleasure, Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue), The Gypsy Meets the Boy, Doctor Rockter, I Am One, The Idol, Hold on to My Heart, The Great Misconception of Me, (ENCORE): The Real Me, L.O.V.E Machine, Wild Child, Golgotha, I Wanna Be Somebody.

Great White & Marco Mendoza - Friday 20 October 2017 - Camden Underworld, London

Preceding their appearance at the Rockingham Festival in Nottingham, Great White managed to squeeze in a long overdue gig in London on the Friday night. This was a great chance for me to see them having never seen them live. This is the “original” Great White version now with Terry Ilous on vocals. However Jack Russell’s version will be in the UK next March (sadly no London date planned though). Promoting a new album “Full Circle”, this proved to be a greatest hits set with only “Big Time” being played from that aforementioned album. Kicking off with “I'm Alright”, it was quickly followed by “Call It Rock n Roll” and “Lady Red Light”. Despite the early start ,both band and crowd were both on good form and up for an energetic night. However the pace slowed down when the stools came out for “House of Broken Love”.  Both guitarists, Mark Kendall and Michael Lardie proved that they are still excellent players. By the time we got to the last 2 songs of the night, “Rock Me” and sing-a-long favourite “Once Bitten Twice Shy”, the crowd were well and truly hooked!

I must make a mention to Marco Mendoza who was a very special guest that night. As part of his ‘Viva La Rock Tour’ he played a highly enthusiastic 10 song set. Not only a great bass player (and singer) he was really humble and entertaining (especially his walk out into the crowd). Promoting his compilation album (Viva La Rock), the best of the set  were “Let the Sun Shine” and “Lettin’ Go”. The gig wouldn't have been complete without a Thin Lizzy song, finishing with “Chinatown”. Now I need to see him play with The Dead Daises.

Rating: 8/10

Setlist:
(Great White) - I'm Alright, Call It Rock n Roll, Lady Red Light, (I've Got) Something for You, Big Time, Desert Moon, House of Broken Love, Save Your Love, Mista Bone, Face The Day, Can't Shake It, Rock Me,   Once Bitten Twice Shy.
(Marco Mendoza) - Let the Sun Shine, Hey Baby, Lettin’ Go, Hole in My Pocket, Look out for the Boys, God Bless the Child, Still in Me, Higher Ground, Chinatown, Your Touch.

Marco Mendoza

Great White - Michael Lardie, Terry Ilous & Mark Kendall