GIG REVIEW: Aces High & Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy – Wollongong 06th July 2024

Wollongong Tennis Club - Wollongong, NSW

Aces High

It’s fantastic that Wollongong Tennis Club have been hosting live music. We always need more venues that support live music and with the quality of stage, sound and lights they have it’s a great venue. It’s a double header of fantastic tribute acts tonight in Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy and Aces High performing the Legacy Of The Beast set. While everyone has their own opinion on Tribute bands, I feel it’s a great way to have a fun night out with songs that you know and love.

Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy are an Ozzy Osbourne (Solo) tribute act that are having their stage debut and boy do they look and sound the part. With a song selection that spans his whole career, kicking off with Bark At The Moon is not a bad way to start. Ozzy (Steven Mazzini) plays the part of the Prince Of Darkness perfectly, with his mannerism, look and sound on point and exceptional charisma.  Randy Rhoads and Zack Wylde (Damon Bishop of Carbon Black) rips through the solos of perfectly. Mr Crowley sounds fantastic with Tommy Aldrige  (Steve Giles) crushing the skins on his drums. Mama I’m Coming Home brought a big sing-along, and sounded fantastic. Perry Mason brought that massive riff and solo while Rudy Sarzo (Adam Edwards) slayed those bass runs. No More Tears is a monster of a song and these guys absolutely nailed it. Let Me Hear You Scream is a great choice from Ozzy’s later years and no surprise the guys killed it. Patient No. 9  is another great track from Ozzy’s latest album and to emulate Jeff Beck would be a challenge, but once again they smashed it. Crazy Train is an immortal classic song and had to be included,  and the audience loved it while singing every word. Ending with crowd favourite Paranoid the guys in Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy put on one hell of a show, if you’re an Ozzy fan you should definitely do your best to catch them next time.

Aces High are a fantastic Iron Maiden tribute act that have been touring Australia for a few years now and when it comes to putting on a show they spare no expense. The stage layed out with gorgeous backdrops of Eddie, with side panels of phenomenal Maiden inspired artwork. Hearing the traditional Doctor Doctor into Aces High sends chills down the spine. Aces High have honed their sound to be absolutely identical to Iron Maiden. Bruce Dickinson (Son Jfdi) belts out the notes that we all want to hear. Where Eagles Dare sounds fantastic as Steve Harris (James Buckingham) leads the duelling guitars of Dave Murray (Tyrain Maiden) and Adrian Smith (Heiny Smith) with precision. Two Minutes To Midnight sounds as legendary as ever. The power of The Clansman is captured perfectly and played incredibly, one of my stand out tracks with a bonus sword fight! Nicko McBrain (Dom Simpson of Darker Half) is fantastic, nails the unique percussion of Maiden. The Trooper will always be a staple of the legacy of Maiden and Aces High crush it, bringing out a special appearance of Eddie! Revelations brings a cheer from the crowd, Aces High really know how to make their twin guitar attack sing. Aces High capture the eerie mood of the epic The Greater Good Of Good before launching into that huge chorus, sensational, and the duelling guitars solos were simply fantastic. The Wicker Man is always great to hear live and a great sing-along, it truly is amazing how well Aces High capture the sound and energy of all these classic songs. The Sign Of The  Cross is one of my favourite Maiden tracks and being able to hear it performed live this well is a real treat. Fear Of The Dark raised the voices of Wollongong to fever pitch with everyone in the room singing at the top of their lungs. The Number Of The Beast is the epitome of an immortal track from the legendary Maiden and Aces High once again crushed it with a spectacular rendition. The namesake track Iron Maiden is obviously a classic and not an easy track to play let alone after an hour and a half of incredible music but Aces High nail it once again. And the hits keep rolling out as they launch into The Evil That Men Do to the adulation of the crowd. Hallowed By Thy Name is another legendary and once again lifts the voices of the audience in song, Aces High really brought the house down with this one. What can you say about Run To The Hills that hasn’t been said? Always an amazing to experience live especially when played as well as Aces High. We then get treated to the immense Powerslave which raises the roof. Wasted Years was the finale of an epic set and what a way to finish, an incredible sing-along and as the voices of the audience rang off the walls of the Tennis Club Aces High took their final bows and applause, what a phenomenal show. Miss them at your peril.

Review by Jonathan Hurley