Live Review : Black Spiders + Crowley @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on November 2nd 2024

It’s a cold damp evening in between Halloween and Bonfire night. the generals are gathering in their masses at the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool. This unlikely foothold in an otherwise sequined obsessed town has quite rightly become a real stronghold on the north-west gig scene. We are here to bear witness to an evening of no frills, uncompromising filthy rock n roll courtesy of the Black Spiders. 

The Sheffield based five piece were formed back in 2008, but by 2017 it seemed they had run their course. However in 2020 the band announced they had reformed, just as we were all confined to our homes for one and a half years. Probably the worst timed reunion ever. However they have preserved, released aself-titled album in 2021, and a spirited follow up in “Can’t Die, Won’t Die” in 2023.  

With a plethora of live gigs now firmly under their belt it is like they were never away. A steadily increasing number of Black Spiders t-shirts, both old and new populate the venue, adding to the atmosphere and anticipation for the show. But beforehand it is down to Crowley to warm the crowd up for the main event.  

Crowley are a five piece band hailing from Newcastle in the North East of England, formed in 2022. They are branded as an occult rock band reinvigorating retro pagan rock with a fascination for witchcraft and sorcery. Crowley meander onto the stage and burst straight into ‘Hell Hath No Fury’, quickly showing the crowd how tight and slick they are in a live setting.

It all culminates around Lydia’s scorching vocals which are ably assisted by the blistering riffs fired off by Eliza and Ruth’s twin guitar assault. The rhythm section is taken care of by Kim’s pounding bass and new to the drumstool Sav bringing the beat and an unabridged energy. As the band progress through their 30 minute set hints of W.A.S.P. and Lizzy Borden are apparent in the songs, which are also dark, deep and foreboding in nature.  

Lydia introduces ‘The Witching Hour’ stating it was the first song they released, a dark riff driven Sabbath-esque number with a big chorus and searing vocals. Then all too soon ‘Pyre’ is introduced as their last song, which brings a close to the set with rapturous applause from the huge crowd that has now assembled. However judging on this performance Crowley have big things ahead of them which will be well deserved and it’s safe to say they have garnered a fair few new fans tonight.

A quick turnaround to set up the stage which prompts the familiar tones of The Scorpions ‘Rock you like a Hurricane’, it’s then into the backing track which allows the Black Spiders to assemble on stage and come careering out of the traps. They trade on their customised aural assault with a thunderous triple airing of ‘Si, El Diablo’, ‘Death Becomes Her’ and ‘St Peter’.  

The band are on fire tonight and fireworks are being delivered as promised. This is uncompromising, unapologetic, unpretentious straight up in your face no frills rock n roll. In Adam they have the antithesis of the usual static bass players as he charges about the stage, throwing contortionist type shapes, gurning wildly whilst tearing off some rip-roaring bass lines. Singer/guitarist Dave, resplendent in skeleton pumps, a black shirt complete with white roses embroidery and full sleeve tassels, is in full command of the crowd. The banter is in full flow, the punters shout out the classic Fuck You Black Spiders line, to which he cheekily responds with…that’s not very nice we came a long way to be here at Blackpool.

Dave announces that there will be a new album released in February 2025, prompting the band to launch into ‘Out of Order’ which will be included on the new release, showing that everything in the Black Spiders camp is very well indeed. The songs come thick and fast, delivered in the only way that Black Spiders songs can be delivered…loud, brash and in your face. It’s bombastic rock at its best with tinges of punk and Motörhead thrown in for good measure.

After the ever so tongue-in-cheek song ‘Balls’, Dave asks the crowd if anyone dressed up for Halloween, Wizards specifically, remarking that with all those beards, someone must have dressed up as a wizard, dedicating the next song ‘Wizard Shall Not Kill Wizard’ to them. There is a short break in proceedings while an overexcited and very drunk punter is escorted from the building, however the band as professional as ever manage to press on and hit the final song of the set…the ever exuberant ‘Kiss Tried to Kill Me’. With that the band, or half the band at least leave the stage until the chants, shouts and whistles bring them all back to the stage to close out with a lively ‘Stay Down’, during which, the whole crowd are invited to raise their middle fingers and shout the traditional “Fuck You Black Spiders” at the band.

What a night, both bands on top form, the prospect of a new album from the Black Spiders in February shows that rock music is in safe hands, if you like your music hard, fast, uncompromising and in your face then do yourself a favour and check out the new album, you won’t be disappointed.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Black Spiders + Crowley