Now this is a show! Tenacious D might parody all the posturing, excess and inflated egos of classic metal, but they legitimately and genuinely rock hard too. As they acknowledge, Jack Black and Kyle Gass have known true ups and downs in a musical career that comfortably precedes the former’s mega-stardom. Their 2006 cinematic flop Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny was a long cherished dream-turned-nightmare that they had to dust themselves down from, with tonight’s juggernaut romp through ‘Rize Of The Fenix’ an ebulliently defiant response.

Showcasing Black’s fierce, irrepressible charisma and lusty mock operatic vocals, allied to the technically impressive musicianship of Gass and lead guitarist John Konesky, they were always going to be a force to be reckoned with. But there are also some memorable bits of business in this performance. Black indulges in feigned histrionics at the expense of his roadie, while inter-group squabbles and reconciliations (sending up many bands’ commercially sustained bromances) culminate in a soulful croon of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ as Black and Gass are shown cavorting on a beach in their scanties. This Is Spinal Tap-style pyrotechnics are fumbled by new crew member ‘Biffy Pyro’, and there’s sustained duelling with the devil: a giant inflatable Satan rises and falls behind the drum kit, with the power of ‘Metal’ personified in the guise of a clanking, dancing golem.
Supremely dumb in parts, there’s a celebratory song about video games (‘Video Games’) and another, in tribute to their crew, called simply ‘Fuck Her Gently’, an hilariously on-point insight into the male psyche. ‘Wonderboy’ soars and Black elevates ‘Double Team’ with a passionate snatch of Travis’ ‘Turn’ that surpasses the original vocal. A shout-out, too, for comedy support act Dave Hill, who endearingly delivers exactly the same juvenile swagger set to thousands in an arena as he does in modest Edinburgh Fringe basements.
Tenacious D reviewed at OVO Hydro, Glasgow.