- Thessaloniki Block 33-
[Elina reports on Thessaloniki]: The weather was excellent for a quick road trip to Thessaloniki so, after some cross-Greece traveling I arrived at Block 33 (venue) around 20:30. The first impression was a cultural shock since, there was ample parking just a few meters away from the entrance, and that for someone from Athens means a lot. The venue was overly good, with decent sound, good lights and ventilation, a little gem for a live show.

What reminded us that we were still in Greece though, was the time W.A.S.P. got on stage. At around 22:00 after a never-ending assault of everything related to U.D.O. and Accept in the background, Blackie Lawless and his company appeared. Why would you say the doors open at 19.30 and have the people there waiting for 2 and a half hours?

Anyway, the point is that W.A.S.P. hit the stage and frankly, there's not much to be said about them. It's a trip back in time. Blackie has still got it, though he did need some backup help from time to time, but he's great to watch on stage, truly a showman. The stage presentation was pretty much consisted of the video clips on the projector screen behind the band, Blackie's trademark outfit and the LEDs on the guitarist's Christmas tree...I mean guitar. An amazing atmosphere, the band always energetic, showing us they still love what they do and the fans that had flooded the venue enjoying every moment.

I have to mention that people from Thessaloniki really know how to party. Everyone headbanging and singing along, a mosh pit erupting at every chance, it was a big metal celebration the way a W.A.S.P. concert should be. Great night and show overall.

(cell photos by (H)Elina)

- Athens Gagarin205 -

[Grigoris reports on Athens]: I think that this sold-out appearance by Blackie and Co. shut many mouths regarding what's 'live' and what's not. I had seen W.A.S.P. in 'Bang Your Head!' Festival (Germany) in late June this year and it was a beautiful surprise to check the band's mainman being in good shape - both physically and as a singer_frontman - and was waiting for another nice gig, having an added fact with the release of the well-appraised new Babylon CD.

An objective W.A.S.P. fan would possibly clap to the presence of a rich setlist - the band was often criticized for playing short shows - counting approx. 90 minutes (with enough visual pieces playin' in the background screen), but this gig made a good impression due to the band's energetic performance. The sound was more than nice, clear and heavy, especially the bass_drums parts where an open fire while Blackie's voice was neat and - overall - convincing even if he failed keeping it high at a couple of times. I was embarrassed guitarist Doug Blair was kinda out of tune in a couple of solo parts (e.g. The Idol) but this would not omit something from a serious W.A.S.P. set having...

...both newer and older cuts on the table. OK, Blackie seems to be a more politically correct person by now (no, no more Fuck Like A Beast from now on) but - thankfully - there's enough of a shock Rock parade in the legendary band's back-catalog to feed the masses with. Hence, I Wanna Be Somebody, Blind In Texas, Hellion and On Your Knees spread their vintage wings while The Real Me and Arena Of Pleasure with Chainsaw Charlie (Murders...) acted as the intermezzo between two artistic worlds. Crazy and Babylon's Burning split the crowd in two - who's in for the band and who's here to celebrate a night out talking allover and shooting videos? - while Take Me Up smelled cool breeze and Heaven's Hung In Black proved to be the more controversial song in the US band's live recital.

The chainsaw-clad master of disaster was not rich in talking and some people grizzled a lot; hey, action not words is the deal when you're screwing with classic Metal bands that never split up while honestly preserving an adequate level in all their releases. A serious man would find some cons in e.g. the chopped Scream Until You Like It_I Don't Need No Doctor medley parts (if you're gonna spit out some rare live songs then get it on in full clarity) and the absence of a support act to justify the 30 Euros price. And that's it, I think.

[Caterina reports on Athens]: Although, I've watched W.A.S.P. before, I just couldn't wait to see them again. They are one of my favorite bands and the fact that their newer release kicks ass makes them gods. So, by 6:30pm I was at the Gagarin205 club waiting for the doors to open, just to go to the front row. There were so many people waiting...and as time passed by, more and more stormed in to attended the gig. It wasn't something that surprised me, 'cause I knew that the show was sold out a couple of days ago.

There weren't any support acts, so at 9.30pm the lights went out and we heard the notes from Mephisto Waltz and then the band took the stage. Here I have to say something that made me feel great respect for Blackie. Although, his career started 34 years ago and although he is pretty old, his style remains the same. You see so many old bands with short hair and everyday clothes...and then you see Blackie with hair-sprayed hair, tights and boots with laces and these awesome wristbands with chainsaws on them... It's fuckin' awesome! It's not only his music that remains great. It's his whole image...

The show started with some old anthems, On Your Knees, The Real Me and L.O.V.E. Machine, with the related videos in the background warming us pretty good. Then, they continued with two kick-ass songs from their new Babylon CD, (Crazy and Babylon's Burning). I have the impression that many people sang along with Blackie and enjoyed these songs. Or maybe that just happened only in the front row. I really can't be sure.
Wild Child, Hellion and I Don't Need No Doctor were the next songs that made us go lunatic...it was clear that Blackie does not have the vocal abilities that once had. Still, there were some people that said the classic It was playback...It was clearly playback... and stuff. Well, I was in the front row, I was pretty close to Blackie and I didn't notice something like that. Also, there were parts that he just couldn't cope with. So, if this was playback how come have I noticed these parts'

Back to the show: Scream Until You Like It. Fuckin' awesome! To tell the truth I didn't expect to hear this song and I'm pretty enthusiastic about the fact that they played it. Then three songs from my personal favourite W.A.S.P. album The Crimson Idol were on the list. It's a fact that if you listen to this album at the proper age it can touch you like hell... So, Arena Of Pleasure, Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue) and The Idol as well as the kick-ass concept videos in the background took me some years back and also reminded me of their last show 2 years ago when they played the whole album live.

W.A.S.P. setlist:

01. Mephisto Waltz (Intro)
02. On Your Knees_The Real Me
03. L.O.V.E. Machine
04. Crazy
05. Babylon's Burning
06. Wild Child
07. Hellion_I Don't Need No Doctor / Scream Until You Like It
08. Arena Of Pleasure
09. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)
10. The Idol
11. Take Me Up
12. I Wanna Be Somebody
13. Heaven's Hung In Black
14. Blind In Texas