LIVE REVIEW: Fozzy @ Club Academy, Manchester

There was such a merry atmosphere for the many spectators attending the sold-out Manchester Club Academy show. Maybe it was because that those in attendance were anxious in being within close proximity to a wrestling superstar. Or for the night ahead, there’s a case that FOZZY have quietly rose to becoming one of metal’s consistent live bands. The heavy metal quintet has accrued an immense reputation for chaotic fun seemingly every time they plug in. With supports provided from the UK’s THE TREATMENT and LA’s metal newcomers STITCHED UP HEART, the trio took to the stage to deliver their own brand of metal thrills.

The crowd may not initially be familiar with their sound, but for LA’s four-piece STITCHED UP HEART, they immediately commanded the crowd’s attention that avoids the pitfalls of modern contemporaries. As the metal quartet were primarily focusing on the songs, showing great examples through Warrior demonstrating leading spirit Alecia Demner’s notable vocal range, Lost (featuring GODSMACK’s Sully Erna on record) revealing heavy distinction and the sultry My Demon which cements their emerging relationship with Manchester. As the infectious Monster brought their short performance to a crushing finale, this proved their shuddering presence that to halt the crowd go headliner mental, it really was a pleasant thing to watch a crew on the lineup give a great presence on stage. Especially given, that you can see that new fans were being made in the room, STITCHED UP HEART were effortless that an unbreakable bound with all present.

Rating: 8/10

A change of pace with good old classic rock vibes from the southerners THE TREATMENT broke the stark contrast and the Cambridgeshire lads were not afraid to show off their unashamedly inspired era of rock music intended on causing a stir (both onstage and on record). With their latest opus Waiting For Good Luck unveiled to the scene, the approach given with the floor stompers Doctor and Let It Begin gave an impassioned band firing sounds even further through the room. With the steadfast Vampress and Shake The Mountain, their musicianship grabbed the pace by the horns from their no-nonsense approach. As the mass ate out from their closing melodies Let’s Get Dirty and Rat Race, Manchester was loud and very proud with elated applause for the hard rocking troupe before the main event event.

Rating: 7/10

Far from being a parody band, FOZZY have been all about one thing: having the time of your life! The American cavalry have come such a long way since reminiscing their tiny Manchester show at The Bierkeller many eons ago. As soon as their feet were placed on their platform, the space reached fever-pitch when the freshly released Sane flowed easily into hard-hitters Drinking With Jesus and Painless landing nicely on ears. Carrying the heavy stompers with Nowhere to Run, the equally solid Do You Wanna Start A War and the pounding Elevator had the crowd unleashing every word and wrath filling any little gap available. The Manchester crowd was taken by surprise when FOZZY released their own rendition of FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD’s classic tune Relax that grins ran through the scope.

As the night grew with the infectious duo of Lights Go Out and Burn Me Out, the mood was undeniable from barefaced grins expressed. Chris Jericho soaked up the approval from the gathering in between the songs. Long-time bandmates Richard Ward & Frank Fontsere brought the command and accuracy exhibited while Billy Grey and P.J. Farley were having the time of their lives themselves. As if that wasn’t enough, FOZZY debuted their new track Purifier, which went down like a charm tingling in the wind. Followed with ease to the instantly recognisable KROKUS cover Eat The Rich and the stomping Sandpaper as the height of the night came to the beautiful conclusion. The popular Judas cemented as one of the heavy hitters on the touring scene and closing with their version of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, it’s not hard to understand why there was no negativity found from the show. It is quite surprising the popularity of this band from its humble beginnings to full-on in your face rock fiends that FOZZY have now become with seven studio albums under their repertoire.

Rating: 8/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: