W.A.S.P. // O2 VICTORIA WAREHOUSE, MANCHESTER

celebrating W.A.S.P.’s 40th anniversary in the rainy streets of manchester

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The city buzzed with anticipation as fans of all ages packed the venue. As the lights dimmed and the first chords rang out for the only support band of the night, it was immediately clear that this would be more than an average nostalgic trip at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse. W.A.S.P. returned to the rainy city four decades after first shocking the world, promising a night of pure heavy metal longing.

Armoured Saint kicked off the show with electrifying energy. Their powerful version of “March of the Saint” immediately thrilled the crowd. Frontman John Bush, celebrated for his strong vocals and captivating stage presence, led the band, while guitarists Jeff Duncan and Phil Sandoval played sharp riffs and solos. The rhythm section, featuring Joey Vera and Gonzo Sandoval, provided steady, precise support throughout. Notable moments included the anthemic “Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants” and a fiery “Reign of Fire.” Their classic heavy metal display impressed both new fans and built excitement for the main act.

Dressed with carnival banners and dominated by the infamous Elvis mic stand—a skeletal, motorbike-inspired creation—set the tone for a triumphant celebration of their iconic debut album. When the house lights dimmed and smoke rolled in, W.A.S.P. launched straight into “I Wanna Be Somebody.” Usually reserved for the encore, it upended expectations and instantly energised the audience. The band proceeded to play their entire debut album in order, including “I Wanna Be Somebody”, “L.O.V.E. Machine” and “The Flame.” Guitarist Doug Blair (with the band for nearly twenty years), bassist Mike Duda, and drummer Aquiles Priester supplied relentless drive behind Blackie Lawless’s commanding presence. Songs like “B.A.D.” and “School Daze” highlighted their knack for infectious hooks and dramatic stagecraft through their four-decade career.

The pace never let up, with full-throttle versions of “On Your Knees,” “Hellion,” and “Tormentor” sounding as fresh and fierce as ever. Only the brooding ballad “Sleeping (In The Fire)” offered a brief reprieve before the explosive conclusion of “The Torture Never Stops.” Instead of a conventional encore, W.A.S.P. surprised fans with electrifying mini-medleys blending deep cuts like “Inside The Electric Circus,” “The Real Me,” ”Forever Free,” and “Scream Until You Like It.” “The Headless Children” stood out for its intensity, as did crowd favourites “Wild Child” and the riotous closer “Blind In Texas,” which had the entire venue singing along.

W.A.S.P.’s Manchester performance was a testament to the staying power of their music and live showmanship rather than being a night of nostalgia. It was a true night of unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll glory and a reminder that, forty years on, W.A.S.P. remains a force to be reckoned with. It was a celebration of resilience, rebellion, and the enduring bond between the quartet and their devoted followers.

All Words and Photography by Sabrina Ramdoyal