With no particular expectations as to what the evening may bring, I am, tonight travelling down the M56 to the Tivoli in Buckley. Once again, as well as photographing I am back on penning duties. Rock writers these days are as unpredictable in their delivery as a deal for Brexit.

Blaze Bayley is currently on a 4 date mini UK tour before heading for the continent, showcasing his latest release “The Redemption of William Black”, the final instalment of the trilogy “Infinite Entanglement”. Blaze Bayley is infamous for being the guy who was a lead singer for a decade in the band ‘Wolfsbane’ with no notable success (compared with his peers of the late 80s). That is, until Blaze got to be that guy who was picked to replace Bruce Dickinson; Iron Maiden lead singer during the mid 90s Just for a couple of albums whilst Bruce Dickinson was going through a bit of a midlife crisis, being an airline pilot, writer in no particular order. Anyway, I digress.

The Tivoli, is one of those venues that I enjoy going to, quaint, (see previous reviews) with an always very well organized and pleasant staff, and I almost forgot, not exorbitant prices for the drinks. The Arts Club in Liverpool could learn a thing or two before charging £5.50 for a pint.

I’ve barely gone through the venue's mandatory security checks, when the first band kick off their set by firstly thanking the 20 people in the front row who made it early tonight. ‘Fugitive’ have been serving Melodic Rock across the UK for more than 25 years but with a recent change of bass and drums line up, the quartet; Al Catraz (Drums), David Steele (bass) joining Michael Angel (Vocals / Guitar) and Ranko ‘Chip’ Veltro (Lead Guitar) have found a renewed passion, the excitement on stage is a palpable as a bunch of scousers believing that after four matches, this football season might be ours for the taking. 

With recent material like 'Slave to Love’ or the classic ballad 'Kiss My Heart Goodbye' it becomes apparent that those guys learnt their chops from only the 80's greatest and have great fun while applying them, their smiles are infectious. Michael Angel vocals on the night are amazing, occasionally reminiscent of Thunder's Danny Bowes and with Ranko arched over his Jackson, his phenomenal melodic solos are some of the best I have heard since Le Tekro or Vito Bratta.

Fugitive sure know how to rock.

Next on the bill is Wirral based trio, The Clan, founded by Craig McDonald in 2010, the same year his first studio album “Pies, Pasties and Rock ‘n’ Roll” was released. The guitarist singer has been around the block a few times in particularly in the 80's who at the height of the NWOBHM shared the stage with the likes of Iron Maiden, Samson, Def Leppard, Saxon, Angelwitch and Witchfynde as a founding member of the disbanded Sinner.

Tonight, Craig and Co are delivering only songs from the already 8 years old aforementioned album with no new material in view, not that it should make any difference to me as I had never seen or heard of it before. The boys are confidently opening their set with 'Waxworks' to a room showing no sign of getting populated any time soon. More rock n' roll than metal, these days, Craig influences are on display for all to see, from the extended solo of the Stonish 'Home Of The Devil' without the strut or the beautiful ballad turned Lizzyesque 'Day To Day' to the ZZ Top riffed 'Give It All Up' without the fancy hatware. It is all well executed, and The Clan bring a bit fun with the over rehearsed Status Quo moves. I do enjoy their set. Craig subtle vocals often reminds me of an Izzy Stradlin with all the intention of a Mick Jagger, the band is having a blast delivering top notch rock n' roll. They are certainly carefree, the crowd is surely bracing the moment, and completely careless when it comes to Craig's ironing technique. I am still in shock by that white shirt though.

Next on are headliner Blaze Bayley and his band who grace us with their presence, sporting in unison their latest BB merchandise money. Got to love the alien silver flying theme going on.

Once again, like on the previous UK tour earlier this year, Blaze is hiring the young guns and 3 quarters of the Manchester based Absolva. I could come to some quick cynical conclusions as to why vocalists these days surround themselves and tour with bands half their age, with only Love/Hate and Warrior Soul springing to mind, but Blaze has wrote his last 3 albums with guitarist Chris Appleton so there must be a definite chemistry evolving.

The room has slightly filled up but not as much as I was expecting for a Saturday night. Although the Tivoli stage is more than a respectable size, considered spacious by some, straight into 'Redeemer' Blaze plants himself on the ledge of the stage to meet the front row. With a menacing presence, fists are waved about and fingers are pointed at anyone who dares to look.  Blaze follows with the second tune of TROWB 'Are you Here', a hell of a melodic and catchy metal song.

Chris Appleton leaves no blank space in his solos, demonstrating his dexterity on his Gibson, shredding away through some of the fastest licks ever heard since Malmsteen came out.

The band brushes on the Blaze Iron Maiden era catalogue with 'Futureal', before alternating songs from the recent Trilogy. "When they say it can't be done, they are the virus", Blaze introduces his favourite Iron Maiden song 'The Virus' , a rare tune which was only ever released as a single and on the compilation album 'Best Of The Beast'. The big man sharply demonstrates how passionate he is about this special ode written with Steve Harris, acting out mercilessly every words, relentlessly involving the crowd in every singing part, every fist in the air. This drama and crowd management masterclass was certainly the highlight of the evening for me.

The band return to the trilogy Part 1 with the epic 'Independence', the solo-less 'Calling You Home' due to some technical problems and the heavier 'Dark Energy 256' before continuing with a couple of Maiden titles. Between songs, Blaze takes the time to thank the fans for allowing him to live the dream, taking deep pauses during the delivery only bring more authenticity with great effect to the almost indispensable spiel.

'Man On The Edge' is always a crowd-pleaser with its memorable chorus, so satisfying that a drunk member of the crowd felt compelled to join the band on stage, leaving Blaze slightly puzzled as to where the security is in Wales. It was all in good taste and would have been quite ironic if the lady in question would have happened to fall off the stage just as Blaze is hurling "...Falling down, Falling down..."

Bayley's humility allows him to have a brief respite on stage before a quick u-turn to jump straight into the encores with his now trademarked 'Infinite Entanglement' and the Maiden 'Lord Of The Flies'.

Sometimes going out with no expectations is the best course of action to avoid disappointment, but I should have known better, the Tivoli with WD Promotions have a great habit of putting on great bills. Blaze Bayley and the young Mancunians were no exception, giving us all a great night of Metal.

Can't wait to be back this Saturday!

Bayley's humility allows him to have a brief respite on stage before a quick u-turn to jump straight into the encores with his now trademarked 'Infinite Entanglement' and the Maiden 'Lord Of The Flies'.

Sometimes going out with no expectations is the best course of action to avoid disappointment, but I should have known better, the Tivoli with WD Promotions have a great habit of putting on great bills. Blaze Bayley and the young Mancunians were no exception, giving us all a great night of Metal.

Can't wait to be back this Saturday!

Words and Photography by Johann Wierzbicki