ShareThe Almighty with special guests Wolfsbane performing their Blood, Fire & Five…In Twenty Five! Tour at Rock City Nottingham on Saturday 29th November 2025.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
With Ricky Warwick going on to front Thin Lizzy and then Black Star Riders it seemed that The Almighty were gone for good. However, all that changed in 2023 and two years down the line, the band were finally back in Nottingham at Rock City on Saturday night, to pick up where they left off over three decades ago.
It was a packed venue that welcomed the Tamworth band, Wolfsbane, to the stage as they launched into Steel and Stick It Out which set the tone for what was a blistering set. Blaze Bayley, ever the charismatic ring leader commanded the stage with a wild eyed intensity, showed that his voice was in fighting form, snarling through verses and belting out choruses with relentless passion.
Guitarist Jason Edwards delivered riff after riff on the likes of All Of Nothing, Rock City Lights and Loco with swaggering confidence, his fretwork both sharp and searing despite being chair bound on stage. And on their classic songs, Smoke And Red Light, Kathy Wilson and Manhunt, the thunder of Jeff Hately’s bass and Steve Danger’s ever reliable drumming very nearly stole the show.
Finishing with Paint The Town Red, Wolfsbane showed that they have lost none of their verve and reminded the crowd that their metal melting fire was definitely still alight.
Front man of The Almighty, Ricky Warwick, was joined by school friend’s drummer Stump Monroe and bassist Floyd London before being joined by lead guitarist Tantrum McCafferty, to deliver a monstrous set list from a back catalogue that focused exclusively on their glory years. Ripping into their first song, Takin’ Hold, it was immediately clear that the reinvigorated four piece meant business.
Following up with Jonestown Mind and Over The Edge, they had the crowd head banging, throwing their fists in the air and singing along to every song such as Love Religion and Full Force Lovin’ Machine before Welcome To Defiance ignited the crowd further.
With no fillers, Devil’s Toy, Jesus Loves You…but I Don’t and set closer Wild & Wonderful all proved to be particular highlights and when they returned to the stage for the encore, they peaked with closers Little Lost Sometimes and Free ‘n’ Easy showing that on this performance The Almighty are back for good, delivering a statement that the band are still a force to be reckoned with.