There I was minding my own business when I get a text from a friend asking me if I fancy covering this gig….whaddya think I was gonna say?
After a day at work, managed to get off a bit early, being old, I was already knackered so snuck in a power nap before racing over to the Resorts World. Uriah Heep entered the stage a 6:40 so only the really early birds got the full show. “Somebody Save Me Tonight” opened the show from the Chaos and Colour album, and we’re off. Uriah Heep sounded great, musically, vocally and moved around the stage obviously enjoying the little time they had. Bernie commented about trying to fit 50 years into a 35-minute set.
They still found time for a few classics, “Rainbow Demon“, was sublime, harmonies to die for, “Gypsy” sounding as good as ever. “Easy Livin’” finishes the show off with “Land of Hope and Glory” playing them off stage. 35 minutes though wasn’t long enough, they could have just played “July Morning“, it would have filled the set. Overall, Heep were brilliant though.
URIAH HEEP: OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK
SAXON
Saxon are masters of the genre and very rarely disappoint. Tonight they were at the top of their game, sounding tight, loud and in the mood. A fair selection from their latest output, in fact opening with the title track “Hell, Fire and Damnation” which starts the show in brutal fashion. They mean business and despite all the backlighting and dry ice, we know, Saxon are chomping at the bit tonight. What a lineup this is!!! “Motorcycle Man“, “Sacrifice” and “There’s Something in Roswell” all keep things moving at a pace. Biff sounds the same as always, timeless, wish he wouldn’t whistle down the microphone though. When Saxon are in town, you know that you’re gonna get a show, tonight they intend to make it tough for Priest.
I love “…And the Bands Played On” and we also see “The Power and the Glory” then back to the new stuff for the excellent “Madame Guillotine“. The guys are on a roll, Biff then gives us a choice of “Crusader“, “Dallas 1pm” or “Strong Arm of the Law“. Personally, I think we chose well with “Dallas 1pm“. Biff then came out with my favourite line in a long time “You know there a people stood up behind you? You’re not watchin’ Netflix, Now get on your f*#kin’ feet”. “747 (Strangers in the Night)“, the last few songs are just classic Saxon “Denim & Leather“, “Wheels of Steel” and “Princess of the Night“. Sensational Saxon tonight, top form and difficult to believe how long they have been doing this. I really do think the addition of Brian Tatler is a masterstroke though, it seems to give them an extra edge.
SAXON: OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK
JUDAS PRIEST
Judas Priest, a band I have loved for years, more so from seeing them at Birmingham Odeon back on the Defenders of the Faith tour and they have been defending it ever since. Yeah! They have changed line up but the sound, the power, and the passion are still there. Launching into “Panic Attack“, from the excellent current album Invincible Shield. Rob shows little signs of his age, the true Metal God hitting notes higher than something really high, I mean really high! He prowls the stage giving us “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” and “Breaking the Law“, such brutality, Priest are not here to lie down, they have tunes to die for and “Rapid Fire” follows on. Ian Hill looks in great shape too, pounding his bass like a demon possessed.
“Sword of Damocles” from Redeemer of Souls back in 2014. This isn’t the Priest of old but it still possesses the precision, power and passion that made us love ‘em. “Love Bites“, “Saints in Hell” and “Crown of Thorns” precede the mega-popular “Turbo Lover“. The highlight for me in the Priest set tonight, was the brilliant “Victim of Changes” when I have to remind myself this guy is 72, Rob is just amazing. It’s an absolute classic and I would imagine I’m not the only one that thinks that way, just brilliant. Rob teases the crowd throughout the show, telling stories of the past and leading us into “Green Manalishi“, the Fleetwood Mac classic.
The crowd shouted for “Painkiller” which was blistering. Rob and the band go backstage for about 5 seconds and bounce back out with “Electric Eye“. Rob disappears again and reappears in a massive cloud, the engine roaring on his bike and straight into “Hellbent for Leather“.
“I just have to check something out,” says Rob, wandering off to the back of the stage. The rumours were true, he reappeared with the legend that is Glenn Tipton. He receives so much love from the crowd, it’s great to see him where he belongs and the band play along with him for “Metal Gods” and “Living After Midnight“. I know we have Ozzy the Bull in New Street Station and before we get “Living After Midnight“, a Bull appears on stage. Perhaps I’m missing something, but tonight I didn’t miss much, neither did any of these bands. What a show! What a night!
I then left the arena and joined the marching masses back to the car park, it was just like the march of the walking dead, but we were all smiling even in the rain. Just terrific, all three bands. Someone said on the way out you’ll never see the like again, who knows eh? Let’s hope so….”Denim and Leather“….brought us all together!!!
JUDAS PRIEST: OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK
More of my reviews and photos for CGCM Rock Radio: Ian “Roadie” Owen
