On an ice-cold winter's night in Melbourne (25 July), the Forum was set ablaze with the scorching howl of none other than the legendary Eagles Of Death Metal.
As the lights dimmed, the stage illuminated, and the crowd sizzled in anticipation, the atmosphere inside the Forum was thoroughly titillating.Jesse Hughes, the charismatic, enigmatic frontman, took the stage with an infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye, hinting at the mayhem to come. Emerging to 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show''s 'Time Warp', Jesse and co. swamped the podium with raucous, rough and tumble swagger.
Complete with bandmates including Jennie Vee on bass, drummer Leah Bluestein, and guitarist Scott Shiflett, they launched into an explosion of energy that sent hairs standing on end from the very first note.
With the explosively sexy 'I Only Want You', Eagles Of Death Metal set the evening's saucy tone. The groovy riffs and ear-worm lyrics had the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs, turning the Forum into a massive, choral sing-along.
"I'm not really interested in what's in your heart / I don't want you to fall in love now, so please don't start."
The band's mix of garage rock, punk, and blues formed a delicious cocktail of pure naughtiness, one which was impossible not to down like a shot. Throughout the night, they flawlessly weaved their way through a set list spanning an impressive, decade-crossing and era-blending catalogue.
'Cherry Cola' brought a sugary-sweet taste of rock heaven, while 'I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)' transported the audience to the sun-drenched, palm tree-skirt dive bars of California.
Elsewhere, 'Complexity' from 2015’s 'Zipper Down' brought a touch of indie sass to the set, with a charging beat underpinned by a relentlessly throbbing bassline. "You didn't want to scratch but then you got the itch / You only wanted Snow White – but you got the Witch."
Each tune was a reminder of why the Eagles Of Death Metal have achieved such a devoted following over their 20-plus years – the music is infectious, unapologetic, and hard-wired to deliver a damned good time.
The band was initially founded by friends Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age and Kyuss, both of whom had a deep-rooted love for classic rock, sharing a desire to create something both audacious and electrifying.
Before Eagles Of Death Metal kicked off, the two musicians had collaborated on various musical projects, most notably in The Desert Sessions – a rotating musical collective initiated by Homme, bringing together a revolving cast of musicians from the desert region for informal jam sessions, having recently featured the likes of Les Claypool of Primus, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.
It serves as a creative breeding ground for experimentation, and though the origins of the band are shrouded in some mystery, it was around these sessions that the Eagles Of Death Metal were born.
Hughes and Homme's vision for the band was clear – they wanted to create music that embodied the spirit of classic rock & roll, infused with a playful and humorous twist.
Drawing inspiration from classic-rock acts and injecting it with their unique flavour of sauce, the Eagles Of Death Metal became a tongue-in-cheek homage to the genre they adored.
Their debut album, 'Peace, Love, Death Metal', released in 2004, catapulted the band into the spotlight. With delectable hooks and an unabashed 'trashy and we know you love it' sound, the album garnered attention and praise from music enthusiasts worldwide.
At the Forum, Jesse's banter and ability to connect deeply with the audience was spectacular, with his loveable enthusiasm keeping all enthralled between songs.
The band's genuine love for performing was clear, with the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands – at times quite literally, with Jesse tossing out Mint Slice chocolates. As the evening wore on, the hits kept on coming. 'Flames Go Higher' had the crowd in a frenzy, while 'Don't Speak (I Came To Make a BANG!)' had the entire floor in a dance stampede.
The visceral elation inside the Forum was a testament to the band's ability to create a truly unforgettable, mesmerising live experience. While the Forum's ornate interior and opulent architecture provided a striking backdrop for the raw energy unfolding onstage, creating a juxtaposition of old-world elegance and rock & roll rebellion.
The Eagles Of Death Metal also surprised the audience with a few unexpected covers. Their rendition of David Bowie's 'Moonage Daydream' was a heartfelt tribute to the late legend, turning the song into a sing-along anthem that left the crowd awestruck and swaying.
'I Love You All The Time' tugged at the heart strings, a gloriously tender and catchy tune which has been covered by the likes of Kings Of Leon and Florence And The Machine. "I would beg if I thought it would make you stay."
A true highlight of the night arrived with the encore. After a brief exit from the stage, the band returned for one, last hurrah.
They launched into an epic 12-minute rendition of 'Speaking In Tongues', with Jesse and guitarist Scott Shiflett trading solos across the floor, bringing the venue to an absolute frenzy. Here, they sneakily wove a version of Motörhead's 'Ace Of Spades’ into the meat of the encore. The ground shook, bodies collided, and the air filled with an electrifying fervour that tickled every living soul in the room.
"You start to dance like it's all you've got to live for, oh Lord / You'll speak in tongues – now let me demonstrate baby."
As the final chords rang out, Jesse and the band bid their farewells, leaving the crowd exhilarated, satisfied, yet thirsting for more.
The Eagles Of Death Metal delivered an unmissable smorgasbord of rhythm that will be etched in the hearts of all in attendance for decades to come. The magic of the Eagles Of Death Metal's performance wasn't just in their music; it was in their ability to reach the audience on a personal level.
Jesse, moustachioed and clad in all white, was more than just a frontman – he was a rock & roll shaman, guiding the crowd through a shared trance of euphoria.
Ultimately, the Eagles Of Death Metal's performance at the Forum was an unapologetic celebration of unadulterated rock, steeped in the deep magic of the electric guitar's gritty origins.
Their insatiable energy, undeniable tunes, and determined charisma transformed the venue into their personal boudoir of sweat, dance, and love. If you ever get the chance to catch them live, don't wait – it's a ride you'll never forget.
