Review: Fuego Carnal

23 January 2019 | 11:20 am | Christopher H James

"Seriously, do not play darts with these guys."

Ah, there’s really nothing quite like the smell of burning rope. And certainly there’s nothing like setting the venue on fire as part of your opening act. Fortunately, Fuego Carnal brought with them their own specially designed, roofless tent. Why no roof?  Because this show harnesses flaming jets aplenty. It’s a veritable hellstorm. Any other venue would be cinders.  

Getting a job with these guys must be tough. It seems you either need to be flame retardant, have no gag reflex (hello sword swallower Steveo Extremeo) or be knife-proof. Seriously, do not play darts with these guys. Based off tonight, it’ll only be a matter of time before the blindfolds come out. 

The Badpiper and his flame-ejecting bagpipes provided comic relief, his fiery rendition of Thunderstruck offering a fascinating glimpse of what might’ve been had Bon Scott lived (who else do you think played the bagpipe solo on It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock 'N’ Roll)?) and possibly shared fashion tips with The Prodigy’s Keith Flint. There was also the world premiere of an original knife-related stunt. No spoilers but you would’ve been forgiven for turning away in fear. 

In summary: scorching.