With the UFC fighting for dominance at the world’s most famous arena, just a block away, the Hammerstein Ballroom was alive with the thunderous energy of 80's metal. Blackie Lawless brought his highly anticipated Album One Tour to this historic venue, celebrating the landmark anniversary of their debut album by performing it in its entirety. As the lights dimmed and the crowd buzzed with excitement, the audio cranked out a captivating mixtape of classic WASP songs, heightening the anticipation as the band made their way onto the stage. They kicked off the evening with the electrifying anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody.” Midway through the set, Blackie paused to warmly welcome the audience, sharing that they had never before opened with that particular song. He also mentioned his initial reservations about performing the album in its entirety, but after reflecting on how Led Zeppelin had boldly done the same with one of their own albums, he felt inspired to go ahead and celebrate this landmark in WASP’s history. Throughout the show, Blackie stood confidently behind his imposing skeleton microphone stand, flanked by his talented bandmates Doug Blair, Mike Duda, and Aquiles Priester. Together, they delivered the perfect SOUNDTRACK to the album that launched their storied career. After a brief intermission, the band returned to the stage, igniting the crowd once again with a thrilling medley of fan favorites, including the classic hits “Wildchild” and “Blind in Texas.”
For more tour and wasp info - https://www.waspnation.com
Opening the evening was yet another iconic band from the 80’s metal scene, the legendary Armored Saint. Their no-frills stage presence, combined with their powerful songs, transported me right back to a time when you could catch any one of the soon-to-be-huge bands—like Metallica, W.A.S.P., Anthrax, and others—performing at one of the many vibrant metal clubs scattered throughout New York City. As John Bush recounted a nostalgic story about performing in the renowned L’Amour in Brooklyn, it became clear that the band's history was deeply intertwined with the rich fabric of the metal scene. The setlist featured a greatest hits collection that spanned their long and distinguished career. At one memorable moment, John cleverly snuck his way to the balcony to sing closer to the audience lingering in the back, creating a special connection that made everyone feel welcomed and like they truly belonged. They also displayed no signs of slowing down, as they energetically played two of their more recent songs alongside the cherished classics that fans have loved for years.
To stay up to date with the band - https://armoredsaint.com
