It is a bitterly cold December evening in London as a line snakes around the Forum in Kentish Town but awaiting inside is an evening of incendiary music that has been yearned for yet not anticipated for 15 years.
Balaam and the Angel (who played with The Almighty in past) open with instrumental The Wave and throughout their 45 minutes, receive polite if not completely enthusiastic applause. All the songs are culled from their two best known albums – The Greatest Story Ever Told and Live Free Or Die – with highlights being Light of the World and I Love The Things You Do To Me. Balaam and the Angel have similarities to The Cult; however, they never managed to capture the attention of fans in the same way. Although they play a perfectly solid, well performed set, such is the feeling of anticipation for the main event that it feels as if the crowd are willing time to pass more quickly. Despite a few in the crowd clearly being extremely familiar with Balaam’s music, it would be interesting to see how they would be received as headliners today.
During recent years, there have been several times when Ricky Warwick has commented on his current relationship with the other members of The Almighty. While he seemed open to the idea of a reunion, he had not communicated with Floyd London for several years and his involvement in Black Star Riders and his own solo career meant that such a reunion seemed very unlikely. Therefore, it was to the surprise and delight of fans of The Almighty that following the teaser of Never Say Never in front of the band’s logo - released by Ricky Warwick - that at a London press conference in February 2023 the four confirmed that the band’s original line-up would reunite (for the first time in 32 years) for three shows in December.
My own love of The Almighty started with the release of their debut album but it was to be a couple of years until I would first see them live: at Leicester’s De Monfort Hall supporting the mighty Motörhead on their 1916 tour. Shows at Donington 1992 and several others followed and while I enjoy all their albums, Blood, Fire and Love remains one of my favourite debuts of all time.
As the house lights go on out, the band’s logo is lowered behind Stumpy Monroe’s kit and the introduction to Resurrection Mutha fills the room as a deafening reception from an ecstatic sold-out crowd erupts. With a simple but effective light show throughout, tonight is all about the music. The Almighty have always been about power and attitude balanced with great song-writing and they rampage vigorously through a 21-song set barely taking a moment to take a breath, showing just why this band have been so greatly missed. Considering they are only playing three shows on this short reunion tour, the band are incredibly tight and appear as if they have never stopped playing together – there is a genuine sense of camaraderie between the quartet and when Warwick (who displays electrifying energy for the entire duration of the evening – not bad for a 57 year old Full Force Lovin’ Machine, as he jokingly refers to himself after that song’s conclusion)) talks to the audience, there is no doubt that they are enjoying themselves immensely.
Taking their set entirely from their first four albums, they thunder through old favourites, the odd deep cut and for the faithful and uninitiated alike, leaving no doubt that The Almighty are still one of the best hard rock / metal bands that Britain produced during the late 80s. The set is structured to provide the band the chance to play many of their best songs while maintaining a well thought out approach to the overall tempo of the show. They do not let up the pace for the first six songs, blasting through incandescent versions of songs including Power, Over The Edge and Addiction.
Following this, the acoustic guitar is brought out for an outstanding rendition of Little Lost Sometimes. It is testament to the songwriting ability of the band that they can be as captivating when they slow down as when they are at top speed. During those quieter moments, it also gives time to reflect how the band have always had plenty to say about society and as Ricky Warwick himself said in 1991, hate, love, religion and sex. Later in the set, the acoustic reappears as Bandaged Knees (introduced as The Almighty’s Christmas song) becomes one of the most powerful lyrical statements of the night; Jesus Loves You But I Don’t lead to one of the best sing-along moments of the evening and Blood, Fire & Love retains its full majesty particular during the moment Warwick sings, “Yeah, you blow my cares away / I’m destroyed but I’m okay.”
Throughout their set, all four members of the band have the opportunity to show just how important they are to the overall sound. Floyd’s bass introduction to a ferociously fiery Welcome to Defiance and Stumpy’s drumming at the start of first encore Crucify allow moments of impeccable individuality but it is as a foursome that they thrive – just as it should be. Some songs are played at blistering speed (without doubt Takin’ Hold was played faster than I have ever heard it before) but never out of control. Tantrum’s guitar work across the entire set is as dextrous and enthralling as it ever was.
The Almighty have a history with this venue including recording the video for Devil’s Toy here (the venue was then known as the Town and Country Club) – a fact mentioned during the song’s introduction tonight. As the song builds from its slow burning opening, the crowd responds to the band’s encouragement to be involved throughout. There is a true party atmosphere in the Forum and when Warwick asks towards the end of the set whether they should do it again, there was no doubt that the audience would respond as one in the affirmative.
Rounding off the main set with Free N’ Easy (with Warwick making reference to his speech on politics and positions of power before the same song at Donington in 1992 – an event I attended), the crowd had already been treated to a remarkable evening but a three-song encore ending with the masterful Wild and Wonderful meant that no one present would leave unsatisfied. If this is truly the end of The Almighty, then the lucky ones attending these three gigs have been left with some more glittering memories; however, with the way these shows have been received and the obvious enjoyment on stage, I believe this short run might lead to more.
All hail The AlfuckingMighty….
The Almighty setlist
Resurrection Mutha
Over The Edge
Power
Addiction
Destroyed
Wrench
Little Lost Sometimes
Takin' Hold
Devil's Toy
Full Force Lovin' Machine
Bandaged Knees
Welcome to Defiance
Sin Against The Light
The Unreal Thing
Blood, Fire & Love
Jonestown Mind
Crank and Deceit
Free N' Easy
Crucify
Jesus Loves You...But I Don't
Wild & Wonderful
Written: 3rd December 2023