Saxon & Fozzy come to BB Kings 9/13/13

Before I go into this concert review I have to say this, I personally have NEVER seen BB Kings more crowded in the three years as I have been a photo-journalist. This concert event started out slow at first for NO reason. I say “NO reason” because the opening act on this tour “Halcyon’s Way” was nothing short of phenomenal. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia this Progressive Heavy metal act has a resume that any opening touring act would die for. Take a look at it. Doro Pesch, Death Angel, Cathedral, 2 appearances at ProgPower (2004, 2007) 2 appearances at Rocklahoma (2008, 2009) and many other named famed national acts (Look at the lineups from their 4 total appearances between ProgPower and Rocklahoma and you be the judge). These guys brought it and played hits off their current album “Indoctrination” which include “Our Finest Hour”, “On Black Wings”, “The Wages of War” and many others. Personally I enjoyed what I heard I just sorely felt they deserved a bigger crowd for this tour stop. I also was disappointed in the LACK thereof, of a full stage. Due to all the equipment setup there was limited space for movement and crowd interaction. The show began at 7pm and people didn’t really begin pouring in until Fozzy began taking the stage. However, Those who showed up early were in for a treat and as Halcyon Way made it to their second to last song, the crowd grew and they got the ovation they deserved. Always better late than never. I would recommend these guys and seeing them would be a wise decision. However, my imagination will roam as to how they act performance wise on the stage without the limited space.

Fozzy Fozzy Fozzy, last time I saw this band was last year at Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival in Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center. It was, and I write this with confidence, and continues to be a stellar, high energetic show. The emotional context in entertainment provided by Chris Jericho and Rich Ward consistently remind the fans and crowds who experience them that Century Media Records knows its roster and keeps it fresh and energetic. They caught my eye with such great photography the first time I saw them that I knew I would get bang-up photos this time around. They are below if you wish to view them as well. Many of their songs from the setlist were from their current “Sin & Bones” album. Due to my position in the crowd I could not see the setlist or snap a photo of it (Thanks BB Kings for not having a photo pit and allowing us to shoot in the crowd) Other songs were played off their 2010 album “Chasing The Grail” to which the crowd was NOT disappointed. Chris Jericho even came out during Saxons set and crowd surfed towards the end. You want to talk about a man who is enjoying his musical success alongside his World Wrestling Entertainment legacy then he’s the one. He ain’t the “Ayatollah of Rocknrollah” for nothing people.

The main event of the night was of course English heavy metal band “Saxon” and boy was I thoroughly excited to see this let alone shoot it. Biff Byford and Paul Quinn are THE ONLY two members from the original lineup which began in 1976 with the only change between them is physical age. The passion, the performance and the music is STILL there. They played many hits off their current 2013 album “Sacrifice” such as “Wheels of Terror”, the song “Sacrifice”, “Made in Belfast” and classics such as “Dogs of War”, “Wheels of Steel”, Denim & Leather” for a total of 14 songs for their setlist. These songs catapulted the crowd which was filled to capacity and being that I was in front in the general standing area, I had to vacate after the 7th song. Between the heat and the constant pushing of people, getting the shots I desired was NOT going to be brought to fruition so I proceeded to the back to shoot the long crowd shots. It was then I realize that I literally had ZERO room to myself and the sauna like conditions were a clear indication this show sold tremendously well to the satisfaction of the fans and the sheer ovation given to Saxon after each song closed out.

Overall it was a very good show but my personally gripe is the venue. I STRONGLY felt this tour deserved more than the venue it was supplied. Nothing against BB Kings as it has had a stellar reputation with every genre of music, but it STILL struggles with getting the hard rock/metal crowds under order and with proper attention it deserves. I have no bad memories at this venue coming from someone who has shot Nile, Doro Pesch, Warbringer and Destruction in the same venue. This has to be the most crowded and most fundamentally stellar show I have seen at this location. Another memory to add indeed.

Check out the photos below and go to Flickr.com/sinestrastudios to see the full HD set if this page slows down. Thank you.

Saxon/Fozzy Flickr Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinestrastudios87/sets/72157635528214806/

–Derek Soto–
Sinestra Studios