SAXON
URIAH HEEP/GIRLSCHOOL/DIAMOND HEAD
Barnsley’s NWOBHM pioneers finally get their all-star anniversary
EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON
ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED – as so many tours were – to happen two years ago, tonight’s bill reads like a who’s-who of classic heavy metal, all gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of NWOBHM’s true stalwarts. The crowd features more battle jackets than you can shake a stick at, all gathered in the sold-out Eventim Apollo (still known to many as the Hammersmith Odeon). It’s an enormously stuffed bill, with openers DIAMOND HEAD coming on at 6pm, a full hour before most gigs even throw open their doors. It’s hard to condense such a lengthy and storied career – not least being cited by Metallica as a key influence – into a mere six songs. Despite this, they don’t let a shorter setlist dampen their enthusiasm, with galloping riffs and plenty of ‘woah-oh’ singalong moments. While Lightning To The Nations conjures more energy from the crowd than the band, closer Am I Evil?, whose reputation almost eclipses theirs, still sounds electrifying, as frontman Rasmus Bom Andersen waves a boot above his head.