Riding high on the resurgence of the NWOBHM scene are Blitzkrieg, who led by original member Brian Ross have once again shown that no matter what’s trendy and what happens to be the new sound of Metal flavour of the month, the original is still the best and with positive reviews of the bands latest release 'Theatre of the Damned', the band see themselves back on the road.

I saw Blitzkrieg late last year at Bradford Rio’s and even though Brian Ross was suffering from a severe cold the band still put on a good show, so when it was announced that the band would be playing a show in Newcastle we just had to check them out again. 

First of all the there was the support who were local band El Fuego whose brand of Melodic Metal made for great listening with the female vocals of Lauren being strong and clear.  The sound in the smaller room tonight was one of the best I’ve ever heard in this particular venue so hats off to the sound guy!

The band delivered a set to be proud of and one that got heads bobbing down at the front, which is always good to see.  The band's short but effective set contained a quite a few memorable moments like ‘Take Me Too Dreamland’, a song that started off with some hard edged guitar by Alan, then Lauren took over with some gentle vocals that rang out even more in the small venue.  The band's cover of AC/DC’s 'Highway to Hell' was different as the band put their own spin on this classic, which went down well with the by now near capacity crowd.  'Hell and Back' was another highlight before the band wrapped up their impressive set with the sing-a-long rocker 'Rock Star', which again went down a total storm with the hoards that had gathered here tonight.

I don’t know how long the band have been together but they are worth checking out if they are playing a venue near you.  They have that certain something that makes them stand out from the rest. 

Now on to the main event.  Tonight was like a homecoming show as the majority of the band hail from the North East and I think Brian Ross has also become an adopted Geordie.  So this gig was really going to be something special for Ken Johnson and the rest of the guys and from the off it was plain to see the band were hyped up and ready to go, even Brian Ross who had had the Trinny and Susannah treatment, as the original man in black had apparently been given a makeover by local store Katmando.  Gone was the black leather jacket and on was the gothic looking long sleeved tee-shirt.  But enough of the fashion show back to the music!

As bassist Paul Brewis got things going with a welcome to friends one and all ... “ARE YOU READY?” ... and by god were the crowd ready!  The band immediately got the ball rolling with ‘Armageddon’ and instantly the power of Ross’s vocals was their to behold, something that had sadly been lacking at the Bradford show because of the cold.

Brian once again threw back the years as the band continued with the excellent ‘Hell Express’ from the 'Sins and Greed' album and ‘I’m Not Insane’ from 'Ten', before launching headlong into the first of the bands new material from the new 'Theatre of the Damned' album.  Quite appropriately the title track went down a storm with the legions of headbangers gathered down stage front would agree.

Then it was time to turn back the clock again as we went back in time to the 'Unholy Trinity' album for the title track ‘Unholy Trinity’.  This is where Ken Johnson came into his own as he ripped up a storm on this one.

After a funny story from Paul it was back to the new album for ‘The Phantom’ with its old school twin guitar assault as Johnson and Guy Laverick traded licks.  The tempo was brought down with the dark (pardon the pun) ‘Into The Light’ which got a raised horns sign of approval from the crowd.

By this time the band had the crowd eating out of their hands as Ross stood as lord and master of metal and tendered to his flock with some stirring vocals on ‘My Life Is My Own’ and the ‘Escape From The Village’.  Then it was time for two Satan songs, ‘Trial By Fire’ and 'Blades Of Steel'..

After the band introductions it was the one that everyone was waiting for ‘Blitzkrieg’.  It may have been made famous by Metallica, but tonight the true master of metal Ross shows Hetfield and Co. how it is done before the band left the stage for just a short while, then it was back for the excellent ‘Tortured Soul’ as the crowd bounced around to the infectious metal.

The band topped off a great set with a Judas Priest medley of ‘Electric Eye'/'Metal Gods'/'Hell Bent For Leather' which round off a great night of British Heavy Metal.