This was actually planned as a concert trip having the only goal to watch MOTORHEAD live on their birth country. The concert was hosted in an ultimate venue called Apollo Theater, built in 1930 as a theater. The concert was already sold out so, we already knew that upon our arrival we would find 3500 MOTORHEAD fans.

After using the really effective UK public transportation means, we got there half an hour before the scheduled opening doors time and thus we had time to grab something grease to eat. As expected, a really organized human queue was formed that brought fast and safe all the metalheads inside the roomy and most comfortable venue. Without any delay we got our photo pass and invitations (thanks to MOTORHEAD's tour manager) and walked inside looking around stoned by the effective layout of the rooms.

The first band that got - of course - right on time was GIRLSCHOOL. When I found out that this long running British band would be the very first opening act I became annoyed since I didn't know the history of THE DAMNED (I know, shame on me...). So, the lights went out and the siren sounds brought the girls onstage with Demolition Boys. The response by the British audience to GIRLSCHOOL was lukewarm and definitely not expected. I believed that their longtime career would at least earn something more than a simple applaud. No pause and we got C'mon Let's Go from the band's second and most successful album Hit And Run. The member that was standing out from the rest of GIRLSCHOOL was Jax Chambers who had the looks and the attitude to handle all the guitar leads. And for this she did draw most of the indifferent crowd's attention that after a while showed some signs of concert movement. After all, tracks like Race With The Devil and Emergency can make your blood move faster and - why not - bang your head a little. The band also did I Spy from their latest album Legacy that sounded less exciting than the studio version with the guest appearances of Dio and Iommi. 30 minutes passed by leaving us not that satisfied since we believed that GIRLSCHOOL could do better in their home country.

The timetable was kept with devotion and another historic British band came onstage spreading enthusiasm to the gathered audience. My knowledge on THE DAMNED was quite limited and after their appearance I can blame myself for this. In fact - as the band's singer informed us - THE DAMNED returned to Apollo Theater after 30 years when they appeared supporting T-REX! It is also shame on me for my ignorance regarding Lemmy's background with THE DAMNED back in 1978. Taking all these into account you can understand why I was not expecting much from them...The band got onstage with a high mood and with an impressive attitude built through hard work and countless gigs. Dave Vanian - with almost Rockabilly looks wearing sunglasses, a leather jack and the essential hair-do - had his vocals balanced between 60s Rock 'n' Roll and the killer Punk timbre making us move to the rhythm. The rest of the band followed his energy with Captain Sensible (guitar) and Monty Oxy Moron (keyboards) drawing some of the spotlights with the vintage looks and the relentless performance, respectively. Most of the audience was familiar to their music and dance with Neat, Neat, Neat Eloise and the faster Love Song.

Although their Gothic finishing touches are not my up of tea the short version of Curtain Call send shivers down my spine bringing to mind Glenn Danzig's vocals (at least during the intro), and that's totally cool for me. The sound was better than GIRLSCHOOL while the light show boosted up their performance that was 100% flawless and gave everyone a good time. But the time eventually came for THE DAMNED to leave the stage for the headliners of the night who were about to face a packed venue. The term 'packed' does not mean that moving around was impossible making one's stay dangerous. All the safety measures - unknown to all Greek metalheads who have to go through hell in every sold out concert - applied to Apollo Theater.

The lights went out, the crowd started screaming and Iron Fist was the first MOTORHEAD tune hitting Manchester Apollo like a steamroller. I have been to many concerts but one or two have taken away some of my hearing decibels. This time the MOTORHEAD amps were 'killing us' and especially me trying to get some good shots with my camera while in the photo pit. There was nothing fancy in MOTORHEAD's performance just like always. Lemmy and Phil were in the frontline spitting the dirty Rock 'n' Roll riffs without compromise. Mikkey was pounding his drum kit like the Muppet show character Animal...I have a great respect for this charismatic drummer who is one of the best drummers as Lemmy said. The British band did the first three songs without pause and managed to raise the indoor temperature and make everyone move against the killer rhythms. I do not know how many times MOTORHEAD have been in Manchester but it was amazing watching metalheads of all ages giving the proper respect to this monumental band. And this comes to a contradiction with the general Greek philosophy that once you have seen a band live it is not 'necessary' to watch it again...but that's also a different story. We are always good with cover songs so, are you in the mood for another one? Lemmy said and the band did TWISTER SISTER's Shoot 'Em Down. This track comes from the TWISTED SISTER tribute album Twisted Forever and literally blew us away!

It was obvious that time had taken its toll to Lemmy since his performance was rather stationary (more than usual) and the two solos were a necessity. The first one was from Phil and I tell you it was nothing special apart from the solid sound and the cool echo effect. The second was by Mikkey and exploded in the middle of In The Name Of Tragedy. The light show helped the most to get an excellent movie of Mikkey's fast and powerful performance. You cannot escape but get carried away by his mood to have fun and bang your head against the tempo changes! Lemmy dedicated Just 'cos You Got The Power to all the politicians and then hit us with Goin' To Brazil.

After the classic hit Bomber the band said goodnight but as Lemmy stated You know the drill, we go out, you scream and we return..., and so it happened. The encore brought the band with a different setup and red lighting. Of course, it was time for Whorehouse Blues and it was great watching Mikkey playing the guitar, the drum kit and high hat at the same time; he should also play the harmonica...The rest of the 'comeback' had the classic concert closers Ace Of Spades and Overkill where the strobe lights created the trademark hell. I always enjoy when Lemmy asks the crowd ...one more time? and then Mikkey blasts with the killer Overkill double bass pattern.

I do not believe that there was a single person that night who had something to complain about. The concert was organized flawlessly, the sound was massive and loud as it should while MOTORHEAD proved why they are still considered as the loudest band in the world. For one more time we left the venue packed with memories (and t-shirts) looking rather silly looking around this amazing venue. We are definitely looking forward to visiting this club in the future and get a second hearty concert treat. Many thanks to Live Nation and MOTORHEAD's manager for the excellent arrangements.

MOTORHEAD setlist:

01. Iron Fist
02. Stay Clean
03. Be My Baby
04. Rock Out
05. Metropolis
06. Over The Top
07. One Night Stand
08. I Got Mine
09. The Thousand Names Of God
10. Shoot 'Em Down
11. In The Name Of Tragedy
12. Just 'cos You Got The Power
13. Goin' To Brazil
14. Killed By Death
15. Cradle To The Grave
16. Bomber
Encore
17. Whorehouse Blues
18. Ace Of Spades
19. Overkill