01/02/08
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The LA2 (I refuse to call it by it’s new, corporate name – The Mean Fiddler, as LA2 sounds much cooler!) in my opinion is one of the best rock venues around – small & compact, with great views of the band no matter were you stand. There are no seats as such, apart from a few in the upstairs viewing balcony / bar. Still can’t believe the mighty Bruce Dickinson played here on his Chemical wedding tour back in 1998…..what a thrill that was!! The price of drinks there hasn’t changed either, with a small plastic glass of coin stripper (Diet coke) costing £1.75!
Anyway, I digress – on to the nights events…..I got there in good time at just before 7pm and there was a reasonable queue here so, got in at 7.30 – investigated the merchandise stall, but nothing there hit me as essential purchases this time.
Support act were Head Inc from Australia – I have to confess that I have never heard of them before & apart from a very talented guitarist who ended their act by climbing – Bruce stylee – on top of the speakers by the side of the stage, they came across as just a slightly above average pub band – AC/DC they were not!
On to the main event. This is the 20th anniversary of The Almighty and this tour was arranged to mark that event – and with the original classic line-up of Ricky Warwick (guitar / vocals), Pete Friesen (guitar / backing vocals), Floyd London (Bass / backing vocals) & Stump Monroe (drums) ,a great night was promised & a great night it certainly was! Dressed in black and still looking in good shape, Warwick and the gang blistered through a career-spanning set-list that is best described as 'Anth'F***in'ology (plus a couple of fan favourites): Live' - and the crowd was loving every single second of it.
All the hits were belted out - and they sounded far louder and heavier than on the albums - which was a particularly welcome bonus. Warwick's aggro vocals came to the fore on 'Jonestown Mind' and coupled with the huge sound that blasted from his and Frieson's guitars, it sounded just as strong as it did back in '94. Some highlights: 'Destroyed', the all-time classic 'All Sussed Out' - complete with brass ensemble on stage!! and a particularly storming 'Full Force Lovin' Machine'. 'Soul Destruction’s 'Little Lost Sometimes', a lovely acoustic ballad that was nice contrast to the general mayhem, a terrific version of 'Free 'N' Easy' – then of course, a simply stunning version of the classic 'Wild & Wonderful', which almost blew the stacks of Marshalls into oblivion - and yes - I was "f**kin' lovin' it"! Warwick also thanked the audience for the twenty years of support - and promised that there was "a lot more to come"……which was fantastic news, as I can’t get enough of this band!
Warwick – a massive stage presence it has to be said - was acting like a man possessed screaming the vocals, Frieson (ex Alice Cooper guitarist) was on top form, reeling off, some stunning solos & showing lots of “Angus Young” style emotion…..but without the duck walk! It is hard to believe that Floyd London has Leukaemia (now thankfully, in remission) by the way he was leaping about the stage & ultimately leaping into the crowd at the end of the set before the encore! Stump Monroe was bashing away at the drums like Nicko on speed – awesome!
Summary: A sweaty, loud & utterly fantastic 2 hours of Al F**kin’mighty style metal showed what a really great band they are – as stated on their recent greatest hits compilation – “The Almighty - Resurrected & Reinforced” and on this evidence, there is certainly no doubting that!
Prodigals Star rating: 10/10
Set list
Takin' Hold
Unreal Thing
Crucify
Gift Horse
Do You Understand
Praying to the Red Light
Blood, Fire & Love
Addiction
Crank
La Chispa de la Muerte
Devil's Toy
Over The Edge
Jesus Loves You...But I Don't
Wrench
Jonestown Mind
All Sussed Out
Full Force Lovin' Machine
Destroyed
Wild and Wonderful
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Free 'n' Easy
Little Lost Sometimes
Sabotage
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