Well this was one worth waiting for. Announced many months ago, the dates have finally arrived where we get to see two of metal’s longest-standing bands co-headline and celebrate anniversaries of two of their flagship albums. Twenty years since The Ascendency and The Poison came out and the time seems to have flown by. Let’s see how both of them survive live play-throughs!
But first, getting the show underway tonight, are Swedish melodic death metallers Orbit Culture.
This four piece, comprising vocalist/guitarist Niklas Karlsson, guitarist Richard Hansson, bassist Fredrik Lennartsson, and drummer Christopher Wallerstedt’s take on loud and heavy music may not be for everyone, but the pounding riff of set opener “Descent” soon has the crowd warmed up. In a short but brutal five song set, Lennartsson’s snarling bass and Karlsson’s powerful growls soon dominate. The songs “North Star of Nija”, taken from 2020’s “Nija” and “From the Inside” showcase Karlsson’s range, alternating between harsh growling vocals and baritone, clean singing. Five songs weren’t enough for me, but what they do bring is both h(very) hard-hitting and memorable.
Set List:
- Descent
- North Star of Nija
- From the Inside
- While We Serve
- Vultures of North
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Next up, taking the first headline slot for tonight’s show, are Trivium who return to Cardiff for the first time in 15 years. The strains of intro track “The End of Everything” plays out to loud shouts as the band takes the stage. They’ve been in town since mid-week, sound checking and rehearsing in readiness for tonight, and this is all too evident as the tear into opener “Rain”. Sound and lighting are outstanding, and the stage show is polished, frontman Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu and bassist Paolo Gregoletto making full use of the extended stage.
They electrify the crowd with a set consisting of the full Ascendancy album, pretty much in order. With fan favourites such as “Pull Harder on The Strings of Your Martyr” and “A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation”, the energy is palpable as the audience responds, singing along ionately. For newcomers, distinguishing one song from another might have been challenging due to Heafy’s powerful vocal growls overshadowing some of the melodies. However, the crisp instrumentation shone through.
“Ascendancy” bursts forth, accompanied by a giant inflatable of the album’s cover character, which prompts a huge roar. Standout moment for me is “Dying in Your Arms,” showcasing rhythmic backing and rich guitar work. The set concludes with the beloved 2011 track “In Waves,” and the promise that Trivium will return.
Set List:
- The End of Everything (intro)
- Rain
- Pull Harder on the Strings of your Martyr
- Drowned and Torn Asunder
- Ascendancy
- A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation
- Like Light to the Flies
- Dying in Your Arms
- The Deceived
- Suffocating Sight
- Departure
- Declaration
- Capsizing the Sea (Tape)
- In Waves
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And so on to tonight’s second headliners. Rather fittingly, Bullet For My Valentine close the first of two nights in Cardiff, performing on their home turf, to a sell-out crowd of adoring fans. Kicking off their show with a video montage celebrating their rise during The Poison era. The Bridgend band consisting of Matt Tuck, Michael Padget, Jamie Mathias and ‘relative’ newcomer Jason Bowld, tear through Bullet’s breakthrough album’s track list to a roaring reception.
“Her Voice Resides” and “4 Words (to Choke Upon)” get everyone jumping. An acoustic rendition of their massive hit “Tears Don’t Fall,” led by vocalist Matt Tuck, radiates raw emotion, a sentiment that is echoed later in the form of the poignant “10 Years Today,” a tribute to a lost friend. “All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)” is delivered with the same amounts of vigour and ion as it was two decades ago, with the light show enhancing the already electric atmosphere. There is a slight delay because of an injury in the crowd, before “Cries In Vain” gets its first live outing since 2016 and it’s fair to say that it goes down a storm.
The surprise inclusion of the EP single “Hand Of Blood” was met with enthusiasm, as were the encore performances of “Knives” and the classic hit “Waking The Demon,” showcasing Padget’s phenomenal guitar skills once more. Although the sound wasn’t as crisp as during Trivium’s set, with minor timing issues and less clear vocals, Bullet For My Valentine solidified their status as the beloved Welsh titans their fans adore. A job well done for this pair’s first t venture.
Here’s to another successful 20 years.
Set List:
- The Poison (Intro)
- Her Voice Resides
- 4 words (To Choke Upon)
- Tears Don’t Fall
- Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)
- Hit the Floor
- All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)
- Hand of Blood
- Room 409
- The Poison
- 10 Years Today
- Cries In Vain
- The End
Encore:
- Knives
- Waking the Demon
Photos by Skull Lens Photography
