I had no qualms about returning to Foufounes Electriques for a second night in a row. Tonight it was to celebrate Metal Legends Girlschool. Joining them on this farewell tour were eighties bands Alcatrazz and Lillian Axe. Immense talent for one small stage.
First up Alcatrazz, a band I had heard of but still needed a refresher on who was in this touring lineup. Tonight, it was Giles Lavery, BraveWords Records’ director and vocalist of Warlord, taking the lead role. Co-producer and guest writer of the last three Alcatrazz albums, he was the perfect fit to re-introduce songs that hadn’t been played live often- in years.
Everybody in the room was blown away by the powerful vocals from Lavery as they resonated through Fouf’s small setup. With the help of some original members and some great new additions, they were exceeding beyond the role of the opening act.
Diving back in time to 1983, they played six songs from their first album, No Parole From Rock & Roll. “Too Young To Die, and Too Drunk To Live” highlighted guitarist Joe Stump’s amazing range in his solos.
Adding in some newer songs from last year’s release Take No Prisoners, fans had fun interacting and singing along to “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even.” Rocking out with plenty more solos, too, the crowd was eating it up. All ages were covered, with younger fans like myself being exposed to the real veterans of the metal scene.
Put right in the middle of two amazing acts was Lillian Axe. Hailing out of New Orleans, they brought the southern charm with them. Another group celebrating over forty years on the scene, with many lineup changes as well.
I wasn’t too familiar with them, but I had heard good things. With an extensive catalogue, it was a set that was all over the place in a good way. Blending a unique mix of metal, nu-metal, rock, and a bit of country that had them standing out from the rest of the bands tonight.
“I Am Beyond” and “Misery Loves Company” were my favourites. Both heavy on some killer riffs, and the band gave us a nice selection of songs showcasing the best of the band. Ending with a song oozing with sounds of the eighties in this power metal ballad, “Show A Little Love.”
Formed in a time when there was plenty more sexism in the music scene, Girlschool were invited into the male-dominated metal world early on. Brought under Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead’s wing, eventually earning respect from their peers and dominating the scene. Though it was never intentional, they became role models through perseverance.
Now, over forty years later, it was an absolute honour to be able to catch them on their last visit in such an intimate setting. Cutting into their set time and appearing onstage pretty late because of a few unforeseen amp problems, they were more than ready to rock. With a thick British accent, singer Kim McAuliffe introduced her band as they fixed the issues. She has taken over main singing duties over the years as original singer Kelly Johnson passed away due to spinal cancer in 2007.
Keeping the title alive of longest-running all-female band they sure schooled us amateurs. Beginning with “Demolition Boys” and speeding momentum up with “C’mon Let’s Go”. There was a full-on frenzy going on, half mosh pitting, and just general expelling of energy jumping in every direction.
Slowing it down with the marching beats and deep bass in “Hunter’ and “Guilty As Sin”. Then speeding it back up quickly, incorporating some more punk elements with “Nothing to Lose” and “It Is What Is”. Showcasing more talent than Foufs knew how to handle. My phone was already overheating from all the electricity generated so far. Sprinkling in mostly older songs and trying to balance it out with a few newer selections, not to disappoint anyone.
The end was dedicated to the covers. Giving us their take on the sixties British band The Gun, “Race with the Devil.” But the cover we were all waiting for was of Motorhead’s “Bomber.” They didn’t disappoint; having shared so much time with Lemmy, it was a treat to get to hear their version live. It was time for the end already, and the crowd wanted more. Finishing on a high note with a crowd pleaser, “Emergency,” and one final song, “Screaming Blue Murder.”
Citing general costs and logistics as the reason for a final tour, let’s hope that the love of the fans can get them back on the road once more after this. After what was witnessed, I just have this inclination, like most ‘final tours’- it won’t be the last we hear from them.
Review – Sam Morris
Photos – Kieron Yates
