A small crowd had already gathered outside the Orion Club in Rome when I arrived over an hour before the doors opened. Fans from across Europe including Germany and Sweden, had flocked to the city for what promised to be an electric night of rock ‘n’ roll in such an intimate venue. Hardcore Superstar were back in town, and the buzz for the return of the Swedish rockers was palpable.
Back in July 2023, Hardcore Superstar made a stop in Padua for their Abrakadabra tour. This time, they’re treating Italy to three dates: Milan, Rome, and Padua once again. Joining them on their European tour are stellar guests: British rockers South Of Salem and none other than Wednesday 13, performing songs from his iconic horror-punk band, Murderdolls.
South Of Salem had the job of warming up the crowd, and they delivered an impeccable performance. The Bournemouth rockers brought a charged energy, blending heavy riffs, harmonised solos, catchy melodies, and stunning vocals. Their stage presence was that of seasoned veterans. Fans of the band can look forward to their UK tour in spring 2025, where they’ll perform their latest album, The Death Of The Party, in full.
When Wedensday 13 came on stage, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the last time Murderdolls played in Rome, way back in September 2010. I still have some terrible phone snaps from that night which are still some of my most cherished memories. Murderdolls were opening for Guns N’ Roses during their European tour, just a week after the release of their final album, Women And Children Last. Over a decade later, Wednesday 13 returned to Rome to celebrate the legacy of one of his most beloved side projects and honor his late bandmates, Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.
The set kicked off, just as it had in 2010, with “Chapel of Blood,” before diving into fan-favorites like “My Dark Place Alone,” “Death Valley Superstars,” and “Slit My Wrist.” Wednesday 13 also treated us to “197666,” “Die My Bride,” and “Love at First Fright.”
The performance was spellbinding. Wednesday 13 remains a magnetic frontman, delivering a wickedly theatrical, spine-chilling show while never missing a beat vocally. He was backed by an impressive lineup, including Murderdolls’ Jack Tankersley and Ashes on guitars, bassist Troy Doebbler, and drummer Davier Perez.
Finally, it was time for the night’s headliners. Hardcore Superstar took the stage as their instrumental intro, “This Worm’s For Ennio,” built up the anticipation in the packed parterre. The crowd erupted as the band launched into “Beg For It,” followed by “Into Debauchery” and “Medicate Me.” The setlist was a gift for longtime fans, pulling heavily from their most influential albums: Beg For It (2009), Split Your Lip (2010), Dreaming In A Casket (2007), and the self-titled Hardcore Superstar (2006).
The band’s lineup has seen a recent shake-up, with new drummer Johan Reiven stepping in for Magnus “Adde” Andreasson earlier this year. Despite the change, the band played with incredible precision, delivering a show that fans will remember for years, especially a young boy, about ten years old, whom was invited on stage during “We Don’t Need A Cure.”
For the encore, South Of Salem’s vocalist joined Hardcore Superstar for a fiery rendition of their 2004 anthem, “We Don’t Celebrate Sundays.” They closed the night with “You Can’t Kill My Rock’N’Roll” from their 2018 album by the same name, bidding farewell to the eternal city on a high note.
GALLERY: Hardcore Superstar, Wednesday 13 and South Of Salem at Orion Club in Rome, Italy (November 16, 2024)
