Live Review: British Lion - Wolverhampton
3rd December 2021
Support: Airforce
Words & photos: Tim Finch
With the havoc reeked by storm Arwen now a distant memory it’s time to head outdoors again, and tonight’s entertainment is British Lion who headline at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton. For those unfamiliar with the band they are, of course, the side project of none other than Iron Maiden bassist and mastermind Steve Harris. With a nice big stage in the biggest venue on this tour, we are expecting fireworks tonight.
Opening proceedings are New Wave Of British Heavy Metal act Airforce. From the off, their style is unmistakable classic metal in the vein of Iron Maiden. When front man Flávio Lino lets rip you’d be forgiven for thinking Bruce Dickinson (in his heyday) was performing, such is the vocal prowess. The forty minute set transports everyone in attendance back to the mid 80’s true British heavy metal at its very best. What a way to start the evening!
Over the years various members of Iron Maiden have dabbled in side projects, Bruce Dickinson's solo work the most obvious of these and Adrian's Smiths recent side project with Richie Kotzen also a highlight. Over the years Iron Maiden mastermind Steve Harris has focused on Maiden but of late he has dabble outside the band as well with his British Lion project.
In support of the bands second full length album, released just prior to the pandemic starting last year, the band finally get the chance to perform live again. A long string of intimate gigs over the past week have brought rave reviews, but tonight they up the ante with a show at KK's Steel Mill in the biggest venue on the tour. With a huge stage and lighting rig in place, this is all set to be a magical evening.
The roar as the band take to the stage makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, the electricity in the air palpable. Opening with 'This Is My God' the band get down to business, for those unfamiliar with the bands work, this sets the tone. It's heavy metal, not far removed from Maiden, but far enough away to stand out own its own as a unique and captivating entity.
The bass is high in the mix, and why not, this is Steve Harris stretching his legs after all. But it works well and feels familiar yet fresh and captivating all the same. Steve prowls the stage as frontman Richard Taylor steers the band through the opening numbers, a solid vocal performance, although stepping back to let Harris shine in the spotlight.
As 'Father Lucifer' starts Taylor drives the introduction picking up an acoustic guitar, added a new element to the mix. For an hour and a half the band entertain, the fans new and old lapping it up, as was former Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley who sat atop a stool at the back of the room thoroughly enjoying the set himself! Harris proving he has more strings to his bow than just his main outfit and British Lion thoroughly entertained tonight.
All Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
