W.A.S.P. and K.K.’s Priest Raise Hell at San Jose Show

W.A.S.P.

San Jose Civic

October 27, 2026

Photos by Raymond Ahner

Heavy metal stalwarts W.A.S.P. and K.K.’s Priest recently wrapped up a 42-date U.S. and Canadian tour, but not before rolling into the San Jose Civic for an evening of metal that saw both acts tear through some of their most well known songs. Attendance may have been light, but that didn’t stop the fans that were there from headbanging and singing along to every word.

Before openers K.K.’s Priest took the stage, a video montage of happy birthday messages honoring K.K. Downing, the former and longtime Judas Priest guitarist, was played in honor of his 75th birthday, with well wishes from Dee Snider, Tom Morello, Zakk Wylde, Kerry King, and others. Once those tributes concluded, the band opened their 14-song set with the 1-2-3 punch of “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Breaking the Law,” and “Living After Midnight,” which was exactly what the fans wanted to hear.

Led by another former Judas Priest member, Tim “Ripper” Owens, the band sounded flawless as they tore through their set. Highlights included “Beyond the Realms of Death,” “The Sentinel,” and “Victim of Changes.” By the time they wrapped up their portion of the evening with “Raise Your Fists,” it was quite apparent that even at 75, Downing can still deliver the goods, no pun intended.

After a brief intermission, headliners W.A.S.P. hit the stage and picked up right where K.K.’s Priest left off. Frontman Blackie Lawless promised fans a “true quality show,” and he did his best to deliver, playing a 16-song setlist that featured songs from every era of the band. Letting the music do the talking, Blackie and his band ripped through “Fistful of Diamonds,” “On Your Knees,” and their classic cover of The Who’s “The Real Me.” After wrapping up their set with “The Headless Children,” the band returned for a seven-song encore, highlighted by “I Wanna Be Somebody,” “Wild Child,” and “Blind in Texas.”