Last In Line / Gin Annie / Voodoo Sioux / Iconic Eye
KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton - 1/12/19
Review by; DeeDee
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KK’s Steel Mill here in Wolverhampton is fast becoming one of the places to be. Loads of bands announced in the coming months and the place is starting to get a positive atmosphere. Four bands on tonight, three of whom are local, so there’s a healthy looking attendance from the start. After bumping into a sackful of friends and catching up with them, it’s time to head down the front.
ICONIC EYE have a strong following and are fronted by the stunning and very capable Jane Gould. However this is probably her last show, as she is stepping down from the band. Nonetheless, her performance is perfect, she mixes melodies with some harder edges.
All 5 members of Iconic Eye are very much in control, the experience does show and the cover of Jefferson Starship’s ‘Jane’ is one of the highlights. A new EP is out early next year entitled ‘Back From Behind The Sun’ and ‘Jane’ is one of the tracks.
VOODOO SIOUX are the stylish gentlemen who appear rather grandiose in contrast to the stark surroundings of the old steel mill. Made up of frontman Nikki Flaherty, with his war paint and colourful attire, Mario on bass with his distinct style of play and Nigel Halford on drums (yes Robs’ brother) who doesn’t put a stick out of place and finally JB on guitar who is as smooth and cool as they come. Easy going hard rock, from the albums ’Skraped’ and ‘Grotesque Familiares’, I love the catchy ‘Backwards To Babylon’ and the finely played ‘Damage’. They throw in a couple of recent singles as well, starting with ‘Falling Off The Edge Of The World’ and ‘Into The Garden’ from 2018. Always a crowd pleaser and tonight is no exception, lots of die-hard Voodoo Sioux fans at the barrier.
I haven’t seen GIN ANNIE for a while, so it was lovely to get hugs off them, as they mingled with the crowd before their set. Mostly off the album ‘100% Proof’, they begin with ‘New Bad Habit’ and ‘Fallin’ and if you hadn’t seen this band before tonight, it was a brilliant introduction. The new single ‘Dying To Live Again’ is next and it’s the first time I’ve heard it live. Slower and a more serious side to the bands style, it’s a powerful tune and the guitars of Brian Green and Byron Garbett are an unbreakable force. Continuing with ‘Next 2 Me’ and ‘Love Ain’t Here’ it’s party time for the steel mill audience, plenty of energy from vocalist David Foster that seems to overflow into the faithful, who are singing along. Finishing on ‘Born To Rock And Roll’ another top quality show from these guys. They never disappoint and are always so entertaining, one of the bands of the moment.
LAST IN LINE is a band dedicated to ‘Dio’ as their name suggests. Comprising of Vivian Campbell on guitar, esteemed drummer Vinny Appice and Ex Ozzy bassist Phil Soussan, who has replaced the late Jimmy Bain. Vocalist Andrew Freeman makes up the quartet, who has seen fame with The Offspring and Lynch Mob.
They hit the stage with ‘Landslide’ one of their original numbers and from the off, it’s obvious we are in for one hell of a performance. Dio classics follow ’Stand Up And Shout’ and Straight Through The Heart’ from the Holy Diver album, remember hearing that in 1983 and being blown away. Andrew has an amazing voice, of course no one can replace Ronnie James Dio, but Mr Freeman is full of confidence, has a remarkable stage presence and does the legend some justice.
‘Year Of The Gun’ and ‘Black Out The Sun’ two more Last In Line songs, are received with the same applause as ‘Holy Diver’ is squeezed in between them. Really brings a smile to your face to witness this tonight, they are on form and have us in their hands. It is evident that Campbell and Appice are long time comrades, they are in perfect timing with each other and Soussan has melted in so well. The latter takes time out to thank us and the London born bassist, praises the local area for its wealth of rock heritage.
‘The Last In Line’ is given the thumbs up and Campbell does get into his stride on ‘Electrified’ and ‘Egypt’, superb riffs giving the old school numbers a bit of an upgrade. Another Dio classic ‘Rainbow In The Dark’ ends the main set. We are able to catch our breath for a few minutes. They emerge again to play ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’, everyone joining in. From the Last In Line album ‘Hollow Crown’ that was released in 2016, comes the amazing ‘Devil In Me’ which is as close to modern day Dio as you will get. Similar to ‘Black Star Riders’, the band have the talent and writing capability to continue in the same vein and style, as 2 of them being in the original band, were part of it. They end on the raucous ‘We Rock’, and they certainly do.
What an incredible night, one of those you never forget.
5/5