Live Review: Gama Bomb with Desolator at Boston Music Room, Tuffnell Park, London (22/10/23)

The last time I saw Gama Bomb live I was so drunk; I can barely remember a thing. I do remember having an absolute blast though. Which was more than enough to ensure I was very excited about seeing them again.

Then you throw in the fact that on November 10th, they will release their exceptional new album,’ Bats’, and this London show of their ‘Bats Over Britain’ tour is hotly anticipated. Yet, it does come with a problem, a ‘first world’ one.

You see, I’ve been working all weekend and that involves getting up at 5:30am. Not only that, the night before, I was in this exact venue seeing Acres and earlier in the day, I was at the Electric Ballroom watching Progress Wrestling: Chapter 158 – The Long Halloween. Why am I mentioning all this? To point out that by time I got to the Boston Music Room, I was ready to go to bed. Especially as I had work the next day, with a 5:20am wake-up call, and I had to do the gig sober because of the rules around my job.

Mentally and physically, I was in no great shape to fully appreciate the speed and heaviness of Gama Bomb. Yet, through the sheer talent of this band it will go down as one of my favourite live shows of the year. Delivering such a rousing and energetic show, filled with Irish wit, some of which was groanworthy but lovable, Tory abuse, silliness, and good old-fashioned thrash metal gold, that any signs of fatigue left me completely. I might not have been feeling brave enough to venture into the pit, but my head was banging non-stop at the back of the room.

Before Gama Bomb though, it’s the ‘meat and potatoes’ thrashing maniacs, Desolator. Alas, I wasn’t able to get to the venue in time to see Bangover as I needed to eat after being at the Progress show all day. However, I heartly recommend them as they’ve got thrashy goodness coming out of their asses. I also recommend the pizzas from Aces & Eights across the road.

…and while I’m recommending stuff, throw in Desolator too, who do exactly what they saw they do, albeit with a ton more enthusiasm than expected. It’s thrashing speed metal, delivered with a smile and plenty of good humour. Thoroughly enjoyable, and a great way to get in the mood for Gama Bomb too.

Who are simply untouchable tonight. I expected this show to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be this good. From the moment Miami Supercops kicks in, the pit is massive and the pit is wild. The only time those maniacs seem to stop smashing into each other, is when Gama Bomb finish a song.

Yet, it’s not ‘moshing for moshes sake’ as this is a fantastic set of songs from Gama Bomb. Taking from their extensive back catalogue, and even throwing in a special surprise or two. It’s impossible to not have the biggest smile on the face as they blitz through the likes of 666teen, Thunder Over London, Hammer Slammer, Zombie Blood Nightmare, and Bring Out the Monster. The latter seeing Snowy make an appearance to both dance and guest on vocals.

In between tracks, frontman and vocalist Philly Byrne is our ‘compere’, and he is on fine form. Introducing the songs, making both good and bad jokes, asking us to beat up a Tory (it was a joke folks, before you scream that he was encouraging violence – you needed to be there) and clearly being overwhelmed by the scale of the show and having Spider Stacy of The Pogues there in person to guest on their excellent cover of ‘If I Should Fall from Grace with God’.

He is mesmerising to watch, but that goes for the entire Gama Bomb experience, as their many years has turned them into a finely-tuned machine.

Drunk or sober, lively or sleepy, Gama Bomb are an excellent band live, and I already can’t wait until they’re back again.