Wednesday 13 - The Asylum Birmingham - 26th July 2025

The Asylum was transformed into a twisted carnival of horror, goth-glam theatrics, and unfiltered macabre joy as Wednesday 13 brought his horror-punk roadshow to town. With a packed lineup and a crowd ready to revel in the grotesque, this night proved to be a celebration of all things dark, loud, and gloriously over-the-top. It was an early start this evening as the UPRAWR club night would be following the gig. 

The night kicked off with The Nocturnal Affair, who opened the proceedings with brooding, industrial-tinged rock. Their atmospheric soundscapes and tight, moody performance served as the perfect slow-burning prelude to the chaos ahead. As proof that metalheads are the most diverse music listeners, their cover of Haddaway's "What Is Love'" went down a treat!

Next up were the UK’s own Fearless Vampire Killers, making their long-awaited return to the stage. I must admit I hadn't been keeping up with them over the last decade or so. Last time I saw them, their get-up was that of the typical vampire-esque look, but this time they donned knife proof vests, very MCR circa 2005.

But it was Wednesday 13 who truly owned the night. And tonight was indeed a special night. Not only would we be remembering the late Ozzy Osbourne in his hometown, but also Joey Jordinson on the 4 year anniversary of his passing.

Bursting onto the stage with “Look What The Bats Dragged In,” the band set the tone for an hour and a half of monster-fueled mayhem. The setlist was a near-perfect blend of career-spanning favourites, each dripping with blood-soaked riffs and theatrical swagger. “Too Fast For Blood” and “Rotting Away” kept the pace relentless, while “I Want You Dead” and “Summertime Suicide” had fists pumping and hair flying in equal measure.

Midway through, the show took a ghoulish turn with a standout drum solo laced with classic horror movie theme songs, from The Exorcist to Halloween, a clever, fan-pleasing interlude that showcased not just technical prowess but a deep love for the genre.

Long time staples “197666,” “Die My Bride,” and “Here to the Hearse” drew some of the biggest reactions of the night, proving the enduring power of Wednesday 13’s twisted anthems. “No Apologies” was snarled with venom, while “Nowhere” brought a gritty edge to the set.

The final trio, “I Walked With A Zombie,” “Bad Things,” and the gloriously obscene “I Love to Say Fuck”, closed the night in riotous style. The crowd, a sea of military hats, leather, and fishnets, sang along with unhinged delight.

Wednesday 13’s command of the stage is undeniable. Equal parts shock-rocker, ringmaster, and horror fanatic, he delivers a performance that’s self-aware, tongue-in-cheek, but never insincere. Backed by a tight and dynamic band, the theatrics never overshadow the music, they enhance it.

If you’re a fan of the macabre with a side of sleaze, this show was everything you could hope for. Wednesday 13 doesn’t just play music, he builds a haunted house around it, invites you in, and dares you not to have fun.