Fozzy - Show they are much more than a Wrestling band in London!!!

****1/2

Fozzy triumph in the capital!!!

Fozzy ****1/2 International Wrestling / Rock Superstar Chris Jericho (Y2J) is back in the UK with his band Fozzy, and their is quite some anticipation for the show. With their song 'Judas' which was featured as Chris Jericho's AEW (All Elite Wrestling) entrance music, and their single 'Sane' being a YouTube music video hit. They finally are coming to the end of their 'Save the World' tour, that has been all around the World. And coming to end in the UK at the London, Islington o2 Academy. Being moved at the last minute from the London, o2 Forum in Kentish Town for various reasons. They have brought on tour with them this year Emo Hard Rock band Escape the Fate, and chart friendly Rockers Scarlet Rebels. This is the bands first proper show at the Islington, o2 Academy, since on the last tour Chris Jericho was told by his doctor not the bands London show due to medical issues he was having.

Fozzy really know how to stage a show, with video screens good lighting and bright outfits. For me as a photographer, when a band puts effort into their visuals... I enjoy the show so much more. And by the cheers and how the audience is acting I think they do to, because I have to say everything looks so cool. The band are hard hitting on fast on tracks like 'Nowhere to Run' and the brilliant 'Enemy', slightly older tracks but staples in any Fozzy sets. I really do forget sometimes how many great songs Fozzy actually have, every song is a future classic.

I don't know why everyone these days is covering AC/DC 'Dirty deeds done dirt Cheap' in their sets at the moment, I saw Ugly kid Joe do this song just over a week ago at the London, o2 Forum (I sadly have to say Ugly kid Joe's version was better they even had Australian / Scottish Tennis legend Pat Cash come on to sing it with them). And this is the second cover version in the set today, with them covering 'Relax' by Frankie goes to Hollywood earlier in the set. And I have to say the covers are the low points in Fozzy's set, with so many great songs like 'Enemy','Sane' and of course 'Judas'... I don't see why they have to play covers. Because yes! they have already played these songs, but if you listen to their albums their are so many songs equally as good as these. So to have a cover as the closure of the set is a real shame, and I think they didn't need to do it.

To be honest there is too many to mention, and I don't want to just list songs. Rich Ward is such a great songwriter, you can see that from his solo stuff, Stuck Mojo and now his work with Fozzy. Also new drummer Grant Brooks is impressive, and seems to be really popular with the Fozzy fanbase. So think they have mad a great decision by adding him to the band, he really looks the part as well. And brings new life to tracks like 'I still Burn', which has a Asking Alexandria / Bring me the Horizon vibe to it. And I think bringing in a younger face, helps them to relate to a younger fanbase.

All I have really left to say is, that the show was brilliant and a really memorable evening... full of great Rock music and great Rock poses. With great lights, and pitch perfect vocals that sound like the record. If you want to hear Rock music done to perfection, you can't go wrong with going to see Fozzy. Forget the Wrestling, and I have to say that most of the crowd are wrestling fans. Fozzy are a Rock / Metal band that stand out on their own, that other fans of heavy music should be listening to and not just wrestling fans. They have good lyrics, chorus' and they really know how to put on a show. So I have to say I will be looking at their tour dates, and seeing if I can make one... next time they decide to play near me.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Fozzy - Setlist
-----------------------
Sane
One crazed Anarchist
Nowhere to Run
Do you wanna start a War
Lights go Out
Relax (Frankie goes to Hollywood Cover)
I still Burn
Spider in my Mouth
Martyr no More
Purifier
The Vulture Club
Enemy
--------------------
Judas
Dirty deeds done dirt Cheap (AC/DC Cover)

Check Out! the Video for 'Sane' Below...