Those who follow long-serving punk bands of original generation aren’t usually too particular about their line-ups – one familiar face in the ranks should usually suffice to warrant the flow of sweet bile – but this rule doesn’t really work when it comes to THE DAMNED. Fans of this ensemble die to see the four founding fathers – singer Dave Vanian, drummer Rat Scabies, bassist Captain Sensible and guitarist Brian James get together again. There has been an occasional reunion over the years, yet during those meetups the punch of the classic quartet was diluted by the presence of later players – except, perhaps, for the show documented on the “Final Damnation” album in 1989 – and that seemed to be the last time the veterans shared the stage. Still, 2022 saw the gothic group return as a quadrumvirate for a series of performances – announced in 2020 before the pandemic forced the musicians to postpone the short trek.

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