Lizzy rock London

It's a true testament to a band's pulling power – particularly one that's been around the block – that they can still pack out the Hammersmith Apollo in the middle of a snow storm. Ice cold temperatures, dodgy transport, and sheets of white have to be negotiated to get to the west London venue, but many make the hard trek to see the boys.

When Lizzy arrive onstage following support from Maryland rockers Clutch and Antwerp trio Triggerfinger, the jam-packed house explodes. Perhaps the punters are just jumping, flailing and roaring to shake off the freeze but it seems unlikely. As always, the band make quite the entrance. The light of that famous logo is beamed across the room, across the crowd, and then emerges through the smoke, as the players do. And we're off, with 'Are You Ready' leading the charge. Those assembled are treated to a set that mixes up the order of recent Lizzy gigs, keeping things fresh and vital. 'Jailbreak' and 'Don't Believe A Word' arrive early to stir the blood, before bassist Marco Mendoza introduces 'Dancing In The Moonlight' and gets every one singing as the tender yet sprightly classic fully kicks in.

A mid-set run of 'Massacre' (once covered by Iron Maiden), 'Angel Of Death' and 'Still In Love With You' marks the point where things reach fever pitch. New guitarist Damon Johnson steals the spotlight here, with his red-hot and keening solo on 'Still In Love With You' being the perfect introduction to Lizzy fans. He proves a terrific counterpoint to Scott Gorham over the course of the evening, ensuring that trademark twin-guitar attack remains as strong as ever. The band chemistry as a whole is a thing of wonder, a combination of natural ability and hard graft. Ricky Warwick gets the crowd going as per usual, getting those in the balcony off their feet, though his insistence on strumming a guitar throughout is perhaps not entirely necessary.

With the Apollo in the palm of Lizzy's collective hand, 'The Boys Are Back In Town' gives way to two encores. There are nods to Philo and things wrap up with 'Black Rose', a tribute to Gary Moore. Their passings still felt, at least the current line-up continue to do their memories justice. And more – in 2012 they are still a truly great hard rock band and a current concern for fans of the genre. Judging by the smiling, departing faces soon to be pinched once again by the cold air of this Saturday night, London seems to think so too.