The last time MV saw the mighty Absolva, their singer, Chris Appleton, talked about this being a big year for the group.
That’s entirely a good thing because the band is way too good not to be a major force on the metal map.
They’ve got—and, more to the point, have always had—everything you need: skill, presence, but most of all, magnificent songs.
Tonight’s setlist is new, but “Code Red” remains. There’s also room for other tracks to shine, like “Thrill of the Chase” and a superb “Side by Side,” dedicated to a fan who recently passed away and featuring a wonderful solo from the other Appleton in the band, Luke.
The band always boasts that they “play heavy metal,” and it doesn’t get much better than “Stand Your Ground,” anchored by bassist Karl Schramm.
Their new single, “Find My Identity,” seems to embody their reinvigoration, while “Refuse to Die” is shot through with their trademark stoicism. More than that, though, they genuinely seem to be enjoying themselves here.
Best known, perhaps, for their partnership with MV hero Blaze Bayley (who is standing by the sound desk, watching on), Absolva closes this 45-minute set with “From Beyond the Light.” As the brothers rip through the solo, one thought is crystal clear—just as it has always been: they are way, way too good for the underground.
“Holy Diver” is halfway through when it stops—but no matter. Out comes Ronnie Romero to sing “Stand Up and Shout.”
The closest thing—vocally—to RJD? Maybe. Even his own material, like “Castaway on the Moon,” proves that.
Surrounded by a supremely talented band, Romero has that presence that all great singers possess. His voice is impeccable. His range, impressive. The AOR of “I’ve Been Losing You” is no surprise, given how well it’s executed.
The material from his solo album Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters, like “Chased by Shadows,” is exemplary. But the thing that put Romero in the collective consciousness was his spell in Rainbow, and when he delivers “Stargazer,” it just has… something extra. Perhaps because it’s near perfect?
An off-the-cuff cover of “Love Ain’t No Stranger” leads to an unplanned “Crying in the Rain,” which leads to “Crossroad”—which they had said they were going to do, but then, these guys are fans. That’s all there is to it—albeit fans blessed with huge talent.
“Not Just a Nightmare” from …Masters nails the Deep Purple vibe, but then it’s back to Rainbow for “Kill the King.”
There’s another Dio tune with “Rainbow in the Dark,” with all its fists-in-the-air glory. Indeed, that epithet could apply to “Vengeance,” perhaps the heaviest of the solo tunes.
That ends the set. But they’re back, closing with a Deep Purple-themed finale. Credit to Romero for “The Battle Rages On,” and that’s before they all stretch themselves on “Child in Time,” with José Rubio particularly impressive on guitar. There’s just one left, and “Burn” could end any set on the planet and still sound great.
One of the finest hard rock singers around, there’s a reason he’s already sung with everyone (and let’s be honest—he could have done a full set featuring one song from each band he’s been in). But what stood out here were two things: first, just how good the solo material was, but most of all, how much Ronnie Romero loves this music.
PHOTOS: KEITH TRACY
