The Warfield Theatre in San Francisco roared with electric energy last night as W.A.S.P. delivered a searing performance of their iconic debut album in its entirety. Fans of the band—many clad in black leather and studded jackets—came to witness a night of heavy metal pageantry and raw nostalgia. Blackie Lawless, the band’s enigmatic frontman, was in rare form, his larger-than-life presence amplified by “Elvis,” his trademark skeleton-mic stand. With its outstretched arms and eerie skeletal grin, Elvis loomed as an extension of Lawless himself, commanding the stage with an almost theatrical menace.
The show’s visual spectacle was equally captivating. The backdrop—a towering montage of crimson flames, skulls and stark black W.A.S.P. logos—evoked a feeling of pure 1980s metal decadence. The light show was synchronized with surgical precision, casting sharp shadows that heightened the band’s ominous aura.
In between songs, Lawless let the crowd in on a bit of W.A.S.P. lore, revealing that two tracks from the debut album were recorded right here in San Francisco. The revelation earned thunderous applause, as fans relished their city’s unexpected role in the band’s history.
The setlist was a flawless homage to their roots, from the anthemic “I Wanna Be Somebody” to the brutal riffs of “On Your Knees.” By the time the band closed the night, the Warfield felt like a time machine to 1984, reminding everyone that W.A.S.P. remains as untamed as ever.
