Despite the early 5:30pm doors there’s a line of eager fans that stretches all the way down the street, this shouldn’t really be a surprise as to say this sold out show has been greatly anticipated by many in attendance is perhaps a bit of an understatement. A tour long in the making, victim of delays and unfortunate drop outs from original supports Miss May I and Thornhill but it is finally here after long last and what a show it promises to be.
Novelists
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Up first are French metalcore outfit NOVELISTS with stand-in vocal duties for the tour being provided by Sam Kubrick (previously of Shields). The groovy electronic backed metalcore sounds that Novelists bring is a perfect way to kick start the evening and the crowd are quick to get on that same wavelength with a healthy amount of movement taking place. A brief classical guitar styled interlude with the song ‘Erre’ is just the right kind of spice to keeps things interesting as we are launched back in for another round. The band are clearly on top form tonight and Kubrick does a fantstic job of involving the crowd at all opportunities.
August Burns Red
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The sound of System of a Down’s ‘Chop Suey’ proceeds scene icons AUGUST BURNS RED as they take to the stage, the crowd is already having a good sing along when the group launch into their own ferocious version of the classic. Starting your set off with a cover might be an unorthodox choice but its cleary a hit and acts as a nice warm up for the rest of the show as ABR hit us with the brutal combo of ‘Vengeance’ and ‘Bloodletter’. The pits are quick to form and don’t let up as the group tear through a seriously blistering setlist. Front man Jake Luhrs is a colossal authority on stage with a voice to match his immense presence as he effortlesly commands the crowd, backed by the rest of the band who do an equally outstanding job, delivering some delicious riffs and truly wonderful breakdowns. Seeing out the set with fan favourites ‘Marianas Trench’ and ‘White Washed’ is just the icing on the cake.
Speaking of, the night just so happens to be one for celebrations as during a quick break in the set the crowd is led in a chorus of Happy Birthday for drummer Matt Greiner.
Bury Tomorrow
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Ok so lets just lay this out up top, this show was utterly incredible!
BURY TOMORROW are a force to be reckoned with in any live setting and tonight is no different. There is clearly a lot of geniune love for this group in the air tonight as the dedication and enthusiasm that Bury Tomorrow bring to their live shows is reflected wholesale in the fans in attendance, choruses are sung back at top volume and not a body is still from start to the finish.
The fun begins as the group launch into the absolute rager that is latest album opener ‘Choke’ followed by the equally raucous ‘The Grey (VIXI)’. ‘Black Flame’ provides one of the biggest sing-a-longs of the night and by the time it comes to unleash new single ‘Abaddon Us’, an overheard whisper from one audience member that ‘the crowd is going to go MENTAL’ seems suitably prophetic as the whole room ignites in movement. In the latter stages of the set we are also treated to another teaser from the upcoming album with the song ‘Boltcutter’ which has us very excited for what’s to come next year.
We see the set out with ‘Cannibal’ and ‘DEATH (Ever Colder)’ and a quick shout out must also go to the sound mixing as throughout all the acts it has been simply spot on and just helps showcase the incredible talent on display tonight.
All images by William Mawdsley