It was with tremendous shock, incomprehension, not to mention sadness tied to the announcement of this KK’s Steel Mill gig that the disclosure came that Stone Broken were going to take a hiatus. Hence, this was going to be a real not-to-miss, hot ticket event.
Stone Broken
KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 30 August 2025
Words: Sophie James
Photography: Sandis Luttropp
Upon entering the venue, it was hardly surprising to see all partitions removed, allowing one to see right through to the platform prepared for three very different bands. [Accounts of Jayler and Sam Millar will follow.]
By the time the headliners finally took to the stage, a quick glance around confirmed a level of attendance that I had not seen since KK Priest’s world debut a little over two years previous.
A robust Wolverhampton roar greeted the local heroes Stone Broken as the pulsating intro to Revelation kickstarted the celebrations.
Drawing very much on the tried and tested setlist, with a few rarities, this was a 1 hour 45 minute performance that I am sure a casual listener would think ‘I never realised I knew so many of their songs’.
From the outset, the sound emanating from the dual riffage of Chris and Rich, the reverberating growl of Kieron’s bass, combined with Robyn’s almost venomous drumming, produced a sound that was consistently pummelling throughout. There were rhythms your ribcage could join in with.
The vibrant Stay All Night is a consummate example of concise composing and arranging with what I consider to be one of Chris’s finest solos. Whenever I hear him play, I am reminded of the words of the Metal God himself, “Glenn is a very tasty player.” The same principle applies.
With their logo emblazoned across the huge electronic backdrop, a pulsing pink heart was added to accompany the impacting Heartbeat Away.
On this most emotional of evenings, there were always going to be plenty of anecdotes, and who could deny them that?
Stone Broken have always been one of the most honest and engaging of outfits. Part of their charm is that when Rich speaks, he is chatting with a thousand or so close friends as opposed to addressing a crowd.
“Just look at this room right now. Yes, we are taking a break. There will be emotions, happy emotions. Let’s celebrate everything that four guys from the West Midlands have achieved. Thank you Broken Army.”
“We’ve not played this in a while. We practised it and it went quite well.”
After the initial intro, I Believe hit you like a freight train. Kieron’s bass had the Wow Factor as the number motored along with a bounce and a swagger right through to the lingering AccadDaccaish closing chords.
Preceded by a ’90s FM Radio scan of soundbites, Let Me See It All was an insistent strut with the chorus evoking a seductive scene.
Doesn’t Matter was the perfect amalgam of melody and rhythm, followed by the grind and pinch harmonics of Let Me Go and its inviting chorus.
Now, approximately a third of the way through, Robyn has her moment in the sun with the rest of the boys rejoining to tease Back In Black and Sad But True.
Rich explains the origins of the jam way back in their embryonic years. With gig offers coming in, they realised they did not have sufficient original material to fill a set. Therefore, a jam was born.
A return to the Revelation album opener for the depth of Black Sunrise was followed by Worth Fighting For, which held pole position on its predecessor. The latter was further confirmation of just how many earworms they have produced.
IMHO, if you do a cover, then you have to stamp your identity, not to mention authority, all over it. Hence, a song from another genre makes a perfect vehicle. The melodic undercurrent of Backstreet Boys’ Larger Than Life, given a jolly good dose of SB riffage and swagger, worked a treat.
It would have any casual listener believing it was their own. Job done!
Make It Out Alive from the most recent album sees them at their most ambitious. The melody and arrangement take them to hitherto unexplored levels of sophistication. Got to admit, this is one of my favourites, and the recurring female vocal does make it stand apart.
Following a jam-packed diversion where Rich hurled bundles of merch into the crowd, the uplifting message of Stronger was reinforced with “Not everyone gets the opportunity to let their emotions out through songwriting. If you’re struggling, just talk to people.”
Save Tomorrow arrives like an artillery barrage with an impact that eclipses its studio counterpart.
“The parasite that’s in my mind”
Most recent release Remedy maintains that momentum, as once more the theme of internal struggle is articulated.
The customary arrangement of Rich performing the Wait For You solo and acoustically was always going to be a bit special on this occasion.
It was picked up and swept along by the love and emotion of the audience and was the finest piece of crowd accompaniment I have heard here.
With multiple screens displaying a tapestry of memories, it was difficult not to shed a tear. I failed. 
The energy levels are restored by the rousing The Devil You Know, a song just made to be performed live and celebrated.
With no encore, they closed on what else but the song that saw so many enlist in the Broken Army, Not Your Enemy. Nothing else needs to be said.
On a night crackling with positive energy, deep sentiment, and togetherness, as the man said, this was a celebration. While concluding this particular chapter, it demonstrated what a cohesive unit Stone Broken are delivering well-crafted, highly infectious anthems with a rib-bothering vivacity.
One hopes that this is just auf wiedersehen whereby they take time to enjoy life beyond the band, recharge their batteries and return revitalised and inspired.
Thank you so much, Rich, Chris, Kieron and Robyn for the memories (this far) but I will leave the last word to Rich:
“We have been Stone Broken.
We will always be Stone Broken.
You are the best!”
