You might be wondering what the hell a band like WICKED are doing on a bill headlined by a bunch of seasoned thrashers. Well, in today’s all-inclusive world, this should be viewed as perfectly normal. And although WICKED appear like a dainty entrée with their distinctive ’80s glam persona, they are a unit with plenty of meat and grizzle.
WICKED
The Soundhouse, Dublin – 1 September 2026
Words: Brian Boyle
Photography: Steven Maloney
Hailing from Rochester, New York, Dublin saw the penultimate night of a quick seven-date UK tour alongside Kings Of Thrash, and their first trek playing in Europe. This was a trip that delighted lead vocalist Chad Michael and the band.
“A curious crowd was transformed into a rock ‘n’ roll riot scene,” Chad told us after the first show in London, “with fists in the air and smiles from ear to ear. We’re already having a blast finding our European brethren as we explore the cities.”
After Black Sabbath’s War Pigs was launched out of The Soundhouse PA, the New Yorkers burst through the doors tonight like they owned the bloody place.
WICKED bravely opened with a tune titled Teen Riot, which was as Busted and McFly as it sounds, if you take away the naughty words, but it got the ears perked up good and proper.
The fabulously titled Reborn With Horns followed, and although a lot of the early arrivals felt they were too cool to push up closer to the action, the modest gathering who congregated near the front appeared to be well into these guys already.
Visually, they look great, and with a bass player named Danny Doll, you know these lads wear their Glam Metal badges with pride. But on a musical level, they truly excel.
Make no mistake about it, this bunch have tunes, and bloody good ones at that. Obsession and Bones were given both barrels as the band’s reckless enthusiasm was getting truly infectious, whether you liked it or not.
Tumbleweed slots can be cruel on bands. Some punters cannot be arsed leaving their pre-gig watering hole. But there was enough in the door to see them come to the boil with Reptile Roots. Lead singer Chad Michael made sure their thirty-minute slot ended with a bang as he kicked his legs furiously as if he had ants in his pants.
If this gig had happened 40 years ago, the chances of this band leaving the building without so much as used Ever Ready batteries bouncing off one of their foreheads would have been slim. But thankfully, those days, by and large, are over.
They came, they saw, did not quite conquer, but WICKED left here tonight with plenty of credit in the bank.
