REVIEW & PHOTOS: WEDNESDAY 13 @ LION ARTS FACTORY

In the cold black heart of Adelaide, corpse-painted masses gathered at Lion Arts Factory for a night of macabre melodies and haunting harmonies with Wednesday 13. Known for his shock and horror theatricality, Wednesday 13 surprised audiences by eschewing his usual elaborate stage presence in favour of a raw punk energy reminiscent of Murderdolls' early days in a set focusing on his former band’s brief but highly addictive back catalogue.

Words & Images by Mike Lockheart

As the venue darkened and the crowd buzzed with anticipation, Wednesday 13, adorned in signature distressed black leather attire, took to the stage with a ferocious intensity, a change from his more creepingly haunting solo routine. Instead of the usual theatrics, he launched straight into the opening chords of "Chapel of Blood," setting the tone for a night of unfiltered punk rock energy.

Throughout the set, Wednesday's performance was characterized by a visceral rawness that captured the essence of Murderdolls' music. With every snarl, growl and high kick, he channeled the spirit of horror punk rebellion, drawing the audience into a frenzy of headbanging and fist-pumping. It was easy to picture yourself in the drawing room when the band, then lead by the late great Joey Jordison composed these demented diddies.

Hits like "Dead in Hollywood" and "I Love to Say Fuck" were delivered with a primal intensity, each song pulsating with raw energy and unbridled passion. The absence of elaborate stage props and theatrics allowed the music to take center stage, showcasing the raw power of Murderdolls' sound.

In a surprise intermission, drummer Mike Dupke took center stage for a captivating drum solo that enthralled the audience. Incorporating playback of legendary horror movie quotes, Dupke's performance added an extra layer of chilling atmosphere to the concert experience, further immersing fans in the world of Murderdolls.

The stage presence of Wednesday 13, now over 4 years sober, was present, captivating, good humored and warm. Ironic, coming from a character who on sight could chill your blood.

His band’s performance of "White Wedding," a gritty cover of the Billy Idol classic begat a cacophonic sing along, with seemingly everyone in attendance singing at the tops of their lungs. Stripped down to its bare essentials, the song took on a new life, with

Wednesday's gravelly vocals and blistering guitar riffs breathing new life into the familiar tune.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the concert were Wednesday 13's heartfelt tributes to his ex-bandmate Joey Jordison, who tragically passed away in 2021. By way of illuminating and personable stories and character references, Wednesday honored the memory of his longtime friend and collaborator, celebrating their shared history and the music they created together as members of Murderdolls.

In his closing remarks, Wednesday 13 took a moment to express his gratitude to the Adelaide crowd, thanking them for their unwavering support and for making a Tuesday night feel like a Wednesday. He humbly acknowledged the loyalty of his Australian fans, mentioning that he had toured the country every single year of his career, and was touched by the dedication of those who had followed him to every date of the tour—an impressive feat given the vast expanse of Australia.

Local groove metal act Falter opened the performance with a set of blistering, focused and memorable metal. Definitely an artist to experience in the coming year.