Review & photos by Joe Schaeffer
It was a celebration of classic heavy metal in Las Vegas when W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint invaded the Brooklyn Bowl and delivered powerful performances that kept everyone on their feet the whole time, screaming for more.
Armored Saint kicked off the night with a high-energy set, featuring classics like “March Of The Saint,” “Can U Deliver,” and “Reign Of Fire.”
Lead vocalist John Bush was in top form, engaging with the crowd and even making a quick visit to the balcony at one point. The band’s chemistry was evident, with Phil Sandoval on guitar, Gonzo Sandoval on drums, Jeff Duncan on guitar, and Joey Vera on bass, in sync and hitting their marks.
W.A.S.P. celebrated the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut album by playing it in its entirety, from start to finish. Frontman Blackie Lawless led the band through iconic tracks like “I Wanna Be Somebody,” “L.O.V.E. Machine,” and “The Flame,” with the audience singing along to every word. The stage was filled with pyrotechnics and theatrical elements, adding to the spectacle of the performance.
Lawless, guitarist Doug Blair, bassist Mike Duda, and drummer Aquiles Priester, took no prisoners in their quest to bring on the Metal Massacre. Closing out the show, it was the two of their biggest records from the classic 1985 release The Last Command. It was “Wild Child,” then “Blind In Texas,” which is one of the most iconic of all W.A.S.P tunes.
The combination of Armored Saint’s gritty, hard-hitting sound and W.A.S.P.’s theatrical, high-energy set made for an unforgettable experience. Fans left the venue buzzing with excitement, already looking forward to the next tour.
