London Astoria
Saturday 2nd October 2004
reviewed by Prodigal
main page
Anyway, we got a good spot before the crowds gathered...to see the support act, Dream Evil. Surprisingly good power metal band from Sweden with a really mad looking drummer (who really could play!). ome cracking tunes, such as Children Of The Night, The Book Of Heavy Metal (!!), The Mirror, etc....so good infact, I got their new CD the next day. I'm glad I broke the habit of a lifetime & actually watched a support band!!
Saxon opened up with the title track of their excellent new album Lionheart & never looked, playing a brilliant mixture of old & new for nearly two & a half hours !! (a subtle hint for Mr Harris next year!!). Biff was in top form - & as usual ripped up the setlist halfway through & then made it up as they went along - he even managed to lose his microphone amoungst a load of flags that the audience gave him & had to sing one song from the guitarists mic instead! :) Everyone in the audience went bonkers - especially in "the pit", glad I wasn't down there. The atmosphere was amazing, with chants of "Saxon, Saxon..." breaking out in between virtually every song. The band seemed pretty shocked by this - dunno why! The gig was filmed as part of their 25th anniversary & will be on DVD soon...can't bloody wait for that!
The setlist (not in any order, apart from the start)
The Return (intro)
Lionheart
Motorcycle Man
Heavy Metal Thunder
Flying On The Edge
Beyond The Grave
Dallas 1pm
Broken Heros
747
Dogs Of War
Strong Arm Of The Law
Crusader
To Live By The Sword
Jack Tars
Man & Machine
Wheels Of Steel
And The Bands Played On
The Eagle Has Landed
Never Surrender
Crusader
Searching For Atlantis
Power & The Glory
20,000 ft
Princess Of The Night
The only disappontment, no Denim & Leather or Witchfinder General but they can't play everything!!
9.5 out of 10
Classic British heavy metal...not many bands do it better :)
were you at gig?
Go to message board to vent!
