23.07.2022 The Station, Cannock: Blaze Bayley & Absolva
First things first: There is great, there is awesome and there is utterly superb, and Blaze Bayley was 200% the latter. There was a free meet and greet with Blaze upon entering the Station and his girlfriend took the pictures for the respective fan. He thanked us for our support and asked us all individually to join his mailing list but also had more personal conversations with fans. He was very down to earth and approachable and meeting him was indeed a privilege. His support act Absolva were a top-notch band who played songs from their respective albums and mentioned that their first album is already ten years old. Guitar soli wise I could detect influences of Maiden and Kiss but not in a super conscious way. The songs were hard hitting yet melodic with slower pieces worked in perfectly and they were brilliant. I had no idea that Absolva would also be Bayley's band. Blaze Bayley’s stage presence was mesmerizing, and his voice was not just impeccable but stellar throughout...