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The darling to generations of metal fans, Germany's Doro Pesch brought her band (which features a couple of Delaware Valley residents: Johnny Dee on drums and bassist Nick Douglas, both with more than two decades alongside the "Metal Queen") back to the infamous Dobbs, on South Street. Although appearing here at the tail end of a tour last October, this time they decided to begin a month long run from Philly. Second ice storm in three days might have played havoc with walk-up attendance, if it were not a sell-out, in advance. However, unlike the Fall date, the upstairs bar/stage was also open, with a handful of known regional acts, like Power Theory, Mindmaze and NYC based Metalfier added to the mix.

Unlike so many acts, especially long established ones, Ms. Pesch believes in keeping things fresh. The last couple of international tours had the likes of "Earthshaker Rock", "Metal Racer" and "Hellbound" featured prominently. Not this time! Sure, there are standards, those songs guaranteed to be included in the set, but responding to spur of the moment audience requests and juggling the line-up are always welcome in her world. Keeps her musicians on their toes too! For example, trying something new, the night kicked off with "Touch Of Evil". The Warlock oldie was quickly followed by "I Rule The Ruins" and "Burning The Witches", where Douglas and guitarist Bas Maas demonstrated a new found camaraderie, playing off one another, like iconic twin towers. "Fight For Rock" was but one of many enhanced by crowd voices. Speaking of attendees, knew it was an over 21 show, but I didn't realize that number signified how many years it had been since you FIRST were allowed to drink (I kid, I kid). There was talk, from the stage, of a return engagement, for the under 21 set, an important demographic for all bands to pursue.

"Running From The Devil" sees the diminutive blond practically launching herself into the crowd, thrusting her arms forward. After that respite, "Evil", from her original band, Warlock, gets heads banging again, none moreso than Doro herself. Strobes rain down as the bare-chested beneath his vest Mass takes the lead. A red lit "Without You", the ballad off Warlock's '84 debut, was a real shocker. Maas temporarily ducks offstage and the Metal Tigger (aka Douglas) downshifts his normally bouncy exuberance to neutral. They try, in vain, to get a clap-along going, as this one's a bigger draw overseas, finally ending with the two guitarists center stage. "East Meets West" sees playful antics between the small, blonde haired female and Maas, the hulking, dark hair male, but don't bet against our heroine in a test of wills! "Raise Your Fist In The Air" receives one of the biggest responses, Douglas and the hair pinwheeling Maas adding backing vocals on the titular chorus.

Doro rarely moves off the center spot (nor should she), but frequently offers the mic into the faces of those down front, so they can sing along, even if they can't to carry a tune any better than they can balance walking with a couple of beers, back from the bar. Although Harrison Young has been onstage since the start, never really recognized his contributions until "Fur Immer". With arms outstretched overhead, the fans make a few attempts at the German language lyrics (especially the chorus). This one includes a brief Maas solo. 

"Out Of Control" (wow!) morphs into a newly shaved side-of-the head Johnny Dee drum solo, after which the front woman introduces each member of the band, particularly the aforementioned, long-standing locals.

Making some reference to an attendee in a Wacken t-shirt, Doro begins her version of the festival's official hymn, "We Are The Metalheads", which receives a strong recognition, given its exclusivity. "All We Are" arrives under a greenish tint, followed by my personal favorite from Raise Your Fist, the heads down (nearly thrash) speedster, "Revenge". Winding towards the end, there was the obligatory "Metal Tango", the 80s Z-Rock radio hit that initially thrust Doro/Warlock into the consciousness of North American mainstream rock/metal, bookended by the singer's personal favorites "Unholy Love" and the laidback "Love Me In Black".

Always enjoyable and one of the truly fan-generous artists you'll ever meet, Doro Pesch is a special lady.