Gig Review: Rise The Wicked @ Dead Witch, Auckland – 26/07/2025
On a week shadowed by the loss of one of Heavy Metal’s titans, Ozzy Osbourne, the air at the Dead Witch bar in the Ding Dong Lounge was electric with anticipation – an energy that could only be summoned by Waikato’s own emissaries of the riff, Rise The Wicked. Last night’s gig wasn’t just another night in the city’s vibrant live music tapestry; it was a celebration of legacy, a nod to the roots of the genre, and, above all, a showcase of the raw power, talent, and joy that keeps Metal alive and vital.
The evening kicked off with Rancho Mirage, a band whose angular charm and rhythms drew instant comparisons to the iconic Violent Femmes. Their sound was a fresh, jangly counterpoint to the night’s heavier proceedings – a reminder of the genre’s capacity for surprise and breadth. Rancho Mirage’s set, at times wistful and then suddenly biting, prepped the crowd with the kind of energy that lingers like static before a storm.
The momentum only ramped up as Danny Rascal literally bounded onto the stage. A one-person powerhouse, Rascal delivered a set bursting with high-energy, charisma, and an uncontainable stage presence. It was impossible to ignore Rascal’s magnetism; the audience grinning and jamming on every chord, every shout, swept up by a performance as much about personality as it was about musicianship. Rascal’s act was a perfect ramp – a dynamic leap – directly into the thundering embrace of the night’s main event.
With the crowd already primed, Rise The Wicked wasted no time in seizing the moment. From the instant they struck their first chord, the bar’s heart rate collectively spiked. The band attacked their opening numbers The Waza, Rush and Darkness of Black with ferocity and precision, sending adrenaline surging through the veins of every metalhead and casual onlooker alike. It was impossible not to feel the pulse of the room quicken as the belted out Trampled – Rise The Wicked lived up to their name, igniting a fierce and immediate connection with their audience.
Metal fans everywhere are mourning Ozzy Osbourne this week, the godfather whose voice and vision defined and then constantly reimagined what heavy music could be. Rise The Wicked took up that mantle for the night, not with imitation but with a powerful demonstration of why the music Ozzy helped introduce has such staying power. Their set, both a tribute and a statement, underscored Heavy Metal’s resilience and relentless spirit.
Central to that spirit is the guitar duo of Peter Hughes and Andrew Stites. Watching their interplay across the set was like witnessing a conversation between old friends – sometimes a duel, sometimes a dance, always electrifying. Hughes’ technical prowess and razor-sharp leads met Stites’ melodic aggression and rhythm with seamless cohesion, their riffs and solos slicing through the room with the clarity and bite that define the genre. Each song turned into a showcase of not just individual skill, but of a shared vocabulary built over years and countless gigs.
Anchoring this maelstrom was the rhythm section, a true force of nature. Ewan Dawson’s bass lines were both anchor and engine, providing heft and momentum that drove every track forward. Teamed with Jonty Quinn’s drumming – precise, powerful, and relentlessly inventive – the pair formed a bedrock over which the rest of the band could soar. The chemistry was palpable: every change in tempo, every sudden stop, every thunderous build-up landed with confidence and purpose.
The band chose to hit hard and fast at the outset, burning through the first four songs with little pause. Each number was a shot of pure adrenaline, the kind of musical assault that leaves the crowd breathless and hungry for more. Then, in a moment of perfectly orchestrated contrast, Rise The Wicked showcased their range by bringing the room to a reflective recovery with Small City. Brooding and atmospheric, the song showcased the band’s ability to summon emotion and introspection, providing a calm in the storm that only made the return to intensity more exhilarating.
No sooner had the final notes of Small City faded, the tempo shot upward once again. The band launched into a whirlwind performance of every track from their top 20 album State of Oblivion. Each song landed like a hammer, but it was the infectious enthusiasm and powerhouse delivery of front man Teza Cairns that gave the set its edge. Cairns commanded the stage with both vocal prowess and magnetic presence – a true front man in every sense. Their dynamic range, from guttural growls to soaring, anthemic choruses, held the audience in thrall.
Of all the highlights, The Scream will linger longest in the collective memory. The opening riff alone was enough to draw a sea of smartphones into the air, everyone eager to capture their own piece of what was about to unfold. As Cairns led the call – “We are the Fallen, We are the Fray, We are Calling, We are the enemy.” – the crowd united in a single, thunderous voice. It was more than a performance; it was a moment of communion, a testament to the power of a great song to unite strangers into a tribe.
As if the night hadn’t already delivered enough, Rise The Wicked paid tribute to the genre’s legends with an exceptional rendition of Iron Maiden’s Wasted Years. Danny Rascal returned to the stage, joining Cairns for a vocal tandem that sent shivers down spines and drew raucous applause from every corner of the bar. It was a masterclass in Heavy Metal – respectful of tradition, yet unmistakably their own.
For their encore, Rise The Wicked treated the packed crowd to two unreleased tracks, signalling that this band refuses to rest on their laurels. Get On It was a rowdy, party-fuelled anthem, infectious in its energy and sure to become a live favourite in the months ahead. But it was Stealing Death that truly stole the show – a sprawling, ambitious song that this reviewer dares to predict will be a massive hit. The audience’s reaction – roaring, singing, fists raised – suggested they agreed.
On a week dedicated to the memory of Ozzy Osbourne, Rise The Wicked did more than simply perform – they honoured a legacy, reminded us why Heavy Metal matters, and carved their own chapter into Auckland’s music history. The support acts, Rancho Mirage and Danny Rascal, set the table with flair and energy; Rise The Wicked devoured the stage with skill, passion, and a sense of pure, unadulterated fun. As the crowd spilled into the night, still buzzing and slightly stunned, there was no doubt: in the heart of Auckland, Metal is alive and well, and Rise The Wicked are leading the charge.
Photo Credit: Aaron Christiansen for Muzic.NZ
Rise The Wicked Photo Gallery
Danny Rascal Photo Gallery
Rancho Mirage Photo Gallery
