The Almighty // Wolfsbane // Blood, Fire & Five In… Twenty Five – Live Review // The Ulster Hall // Belfast
What can I say about tonight’s gig? The Almighty are back! Not only back, but Ricky and Co. They are back on Northern Irish soil, kicking off their 2025 UK and Ireland Blood, Fire & Five Twenty Five Tour at the infamous Ulster Hall. Outside is a statue of the late, great Rory Gallagher, and Belfast is working hard on one for another local hero taken way too soon: Mr Gary Moore. A city rich in musical culture, Northern Ireland has Punk, Rock and Metal in its DNA, most likely as a form of escapism from “The Troubles” our disenfranchised youth sought musical solace as a way to escape the daily grind of a bitterly divided society, and good old fashioned rock n’ roll was a bridge to bring us back to our senses. So in true ‘Norn Iron’ fashion, a sizeable crowd has gathered at our favourite church to worship the only way we know how.
Tonight we have the magnificent Wolfsbane in support with the magnetic Blaze Bailey upfront, laying down the law to the Ulster Hall faithful. On a bitterly cold day in Belfast, the heat in the venue is the first thing that hits you; there is a sizeable crowd in the room already. Blaze is no stranger to Belfast, and he’s been here many times over the year doing his solo thing, but tonight we have the whole schbang to enjoy as Blaze and the lads of Wolfsbane take us through a sizeable back catalogue. Taking us all the way back to their first visit to Belfast in 1988 and right up to date with music from their new album. All the way from Tamworth, England, a passion for metal dating back to 1984. They signed to Def American Records, and Rick Rubin produced their first album, Live Fast, Die Fast, released in 1989. They had a rollercoaster ride with the American label, but the UK loved them, always have and always will. An ever-present force, either through the band of Blaze doing his thing, you’re never far from a sprinkle of magic by this enigmatic force of nature, all passion and theatrics, Wolfsbane know how to put on a show.
Wolfsbane have lost none of their charm over the years, and their soundtrack is a glorious reminder of the good old days of Rock and Metal before we Djent’d or Sleep Token’d if you know what I mean. Now modern metal is indeed a glorious thing, but tonight’s audience has a vibe about them that says we’ve been there, done it, and bought the t-shirt! As does the band, of course, whisk their way across a sublime set of old school classics. The roar of approval says it all as Blaze and the boys wrap up their set. It was great to have them back in our city and the perfect appetiser for tonight’s main course.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
9:15, and the lights drop once again and The Almighty take to the stage, and finally our very own Ricky Warwick, with his arm raised in defiance, plants himself centre stage, and boom! I’d say I’d be lying of this were more of a nod of approval than an actual review. We don’t need to review The Almighty, we need to absorb, relax and immerse ourselves in this magical moment. It has been 32 years since The Almighty played this fine city, so tonight is seriously significant for Ricky Warwick, and of course for the rest of the band as they embark on the Blood, Fire & Five in Twenty Five Tour. They had planted themselves at another of Northern Ireland’s unique and special venues, ‘The Diamond Rock Club’, a place Ricky is no stranger to. Home of Derwin McFarland, who runs the DRC as he would his own house, it’s a lovely personal rock venue that has its very own dedicated fanbase. They bring over some great bands who are seriously loyal to the man and venue and have been stalwarts of the Northern Ireland scene for as far back as I can remember. Ricky, one such man who dips his toes in and out of The DRC as and when he feels the need to. But tonight we’re at the home of music in Belfast for so many; the newer venues like The Limelight, The Telegraph Building, Voodoo, and Oh Yeah Centre all appeal to the newer music goers. Still, the Ulster Hall is the very church we have all worshipped in at one stage or another over the years. Hence, this venue, this night would mean so much to Ricky and the lads.
The band are on fire, Ricky plants himself centre stage and commands it like a boss. We had been given a heads up (Us cool kids in the press) that there may be a guest appearance, ohhh matron, I thought ‘Who could it be?” The band were also gracious enough to let us shoot the first 3 in the pit and then from the crowd for as long as we wanted, a rare thing these days. The light for Wolfsbane was surreal, all the white light I’ve ever seen in one place, so weird these days, as we are always complaining about the lack of light, and here it all is in one spot! Amazing! The Almighty had great light too, thankfully, moody, but everyone was clear and visible, which was such a relief, so many times you look forward to these bigger gigs and get your heart broken, not tonight! The guys looked great up there, Ricky was busting all his best moves, stank face amundo and giving us togs loads to work with. Ricky Warwick, Floyd London, Tantrum and Stumpy Monroe just laying down the law. I spoke with so many people in the hall before the show, and everyone had a history with this band, stories to tell, memories flooding like tears. Steve was even up from Dublin! Steve, for Christ’s sake! AS he said himself, ‘This is MY band’. That is a beautiful thing, when it’s your band, I’ve been so fortunate to catch my own music heroes in the last few years, musicians who I never dreamed I’d see live again come through this fine city and make my day, month and year. So when I see Ricky beaming up on stage, I get it. He’s a fan just like you and me. He loves this place, he loves what being up on that stage gives him, and what he gets back off that bloodthirsty crowd down below. Everywhere I look, I see people like me, ageing like a fine wine, out living their best lives on a Saturday night in a packed room with friends. I’ve met more than a few tonight myself, old, like seriously fucking old friends and that I am and will be eternally grateful for. There are many highlights to take home from this evening’s performance, one of course being the mystery guest, none other than soft-rocker Nathan Connelly of Snow Patrol, one of Northern Ireland’s most successful bands and finest exports. He was a huge Almighty fan. He met Ricky years ago and saw him as an inspiration. What a rush it must have been rocking out with the lads to ‘Wrench’. What was your highlight? Which song made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up?
A great night from start to finish, an abrupt ending that robbed a few of their fave tune, but alas it gives them an excuse to come back and do it all over again, hopefully a little sooner this time. Thanks, Ricky & Co., for a passion-filled reminder of what a ‘Norn Iron Mawn’ can do when he puts his mind to it.
https://www.thealmightyofficial.com
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
