Fozzy officially kicked off their highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Tour on Thursday night at The Riff in Springfield, treating a capacity crowd to a high-energy celebration of their journey from cover band curiosities to legitimate rock heavyweights.
The night opened with Nocturnal Affair, setting a dark and moody tone before giving way to the wickedly talented Liliac, a sibling metal group known for their electrifying covers of classic metal anthems like “Rainbow in the Dark.” Liliac proved to be the perfect appetizer for the evening, with frontwoman Melody Cristea delivering a searing vocal performance that had the crowd instantly locked in.
When Fozzy hit the stage, they wasted no time, kicking off their set with their blistering new single “Fall in Line,” which was met with immediate enthusiasm. Frontman Chris Jericho, ever the showman, commanded the stage with the same larger-than-life presence that made him a wrestling icon, but with a clear and genuine passion for old-school heavy metal. Jericho’s charisma, combined with his gritty vocals, fueled a dynamic performance that never let up.
The band delivered a well-rounded setlist that touched every corner of their 25-year career. Tracks like “Painless,” “Drinking With Jesus,” and “Do You Wanna Start a War” stood out as massive crowd-pleasers, with fans singing along and fists pumping throughout the night. It was also nice to see the band dip their toe back in the water of performing covers as they busted out a high-energy version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” and Krokus’ “Eat the Rich.”
Fozzy’s current lineup might just be their finest yet. Guitarist Billy Grey, bassist P.J. Farley, and drummer Grant Brooks have joined founding members Jericho and the always-energetic Rich Ward to create a tight, powerful unit that plays with both precision and heart.
What Fozzy has accomplished is no small feat: evolving from a fun side project into a band with a catalog of hit singles and a dedicated fanbase. They’ve done it through sheer tenacity, undeniable talent, and a clear love for the genre. Naturally, they closed the night with their signature anthem “Judas,” a song that has become one of the most recognizable and beloved metal tracks of the past decade, sending the crowd into a final, frenzied singalong.
If Thursday night’s show was any indication, the 25th Anniversary Tour isn’t a victory lap—it’s the start of a whole new chapter. With new music on the horizon, Fozzy continues to prove they’re only getting stronger with age.
