大象传媒

Fozzy are huge rock stars, according to Fozzy. It's a bold proclamation. For those unaware, Fozzy are fronted by wrestler, Chris Jericho. Tonight's audience is reflective of that as there's an assortment of old-rockers, nu-metallers and wrestling fans in attendance.

The crowd are in fine form before Fozzy take to the stage as we're treated to a selection of wrestling-related chants - "ECW", "Cena Sucks" and of course, "Y2J" in reference to the man himself.茂驴陆 99% of the clothes here may be black but the mood is much brighter, it's a fun atmosphere.

Queen's 'We Will Rock You' blasts out over the speakers, and one by one Fozzy take to the stage. Naturally, Jericho is last to appear, resplendent in leather jacket and shades. He really looks like a huge rock star.

They blast through the first three songs from their most recent album, 'Chasing The Grail', barely stopping for breath, thrashing frantically around the stage while Y2J fist-pumps and jumps around as he strips down to a sleeveless black shirt.茂驴陆 It's not long before the 'Y2J' chants switch to 'Fozzy' chants as the crowd that came to see the wrestler are won over by the band. You know that Jericho doesn't need the money, this is surely just a hobby but you can tell that they all love it up there on stage, they can't stop grinning.

Playing a few more tracks, new and old, Jericho's in fine form; he gets the crowd doing the old 'call and response' routine, while guitarist Rich Ward AKA The Duke (who looks like an older version of WWE wrestler Christian) grabs a mobile phone from the front row and sings in to it.茂驴陆Later, Jericho grabs a video camera from stage-right and films the rest of the band, close-up, mid-song. Everyone's having fun, and it's great to see. Apart from the one poor fella who exited the crowd with what looked like an exploded nose. Rock'n'roll is dangerous business.

Jericho says that Belfast has been the best show of the tour. It's a nice touch, even if he's told every other town the exact same thing. He's got the rock patter down to a tee; much like in his 'day-job' as a wrestler, he knows how to work a crowd.

In the wrestling world, Chris Jericho says he's "the best in the world at what he does." It would be a stretch of the truth to suggest that Fozzy are the best rock band in the world, but Jericho is definitely still the 'Ayatollah of Rock'n'Rolla' and tonight's been extremely entertaining. Fozzy are not just a novelty act; they're not just a band with a wrestler as the front-man - that's entirely incidental - they're a great band in their own right.茂驴陆茂驴陆

Michael Wilson