Band: Bullet For My Valentine
Support: Miss May I, Halestorm
Venue: London, Roundhouse
Date: 17/03/2013
Bullet For My Valentine recently released their fourth studio album ‘Temper Temper’ which sadly has received mixed reviews from the critics so tonight is the night to prove that they’re still at the top of their game. They decided to bring along two American bands to open up for them: Miss May I and Halestorm.
Miss May I are a well oiled touring machine, having been over to the UK more times over the past few years than we’d care to count so they know how to start a night off. The crowd surrender at the first chance front man Levi gets to open his mouth as they smash their way through their set. There are ground crushing breakdowns, heavy beats and plenty of chances for mosh pits to erupt.
Next up are band of the moment Halestorm that have had more press recently than any other band we can think of. They’re a female fronted band: now scepticism will probably kick in straight away, we were no different, but fortunately there is no reason to question them. Lzzy’s voice isn’t whiny and high pitched, it’s as heavy as any man can be without them being branded the dreaded ‘Paramore imitation’ heading. Everything about this band hit’s the spot and if you haven’t given them a chance yet you better before it’s too late.
What’s the best way to begin a real rock show many of you may ask? Well Bullet have it down to a fine art, stick on fellow Welsh star Tom Jones and get the entire crowd singing along to ‘Deliah’. Yes obvious answer! We thought so too!
Fortunately for most fans Bullet play plenty of tracks spanning their history from ‘Her Voice Resides’ from 2005’s ‘The Poison’ to ‘Your Betrayal’ from 2010’s ‘Fever’. In actual fact only five of tonight’s songs come from ‘Temper Temper’ including title track which is met with plenty of fist pumping and head banging.
If anyone needed reminding how incredible Bullet still are then half way through their set they burst out with ‘Four Words (To Choke Upon)’. It sounds slightly different from the studio version, but that was released over eight years ago, so they’re forgiven. But they show that every ingredient is there with Matt’s voice is so strong that tonight’s set sounds even more intense than their albums, Paget shows off his guitar skills every chance he can get (including a small solo as the others wonder off for a bit) whilst Jason provides some brutal screams. Every thing is perfectly in place.
The beginning of ‘The Fight’ gives everyone a chance to wind down, relax and recoperate after a heavy beginning as Matt sings the first verse and chorus acoustically. Is there anything that he can’t do?! Perhaps not! Newer track ‘Dirty Little Secret’ see’s guest vocals from tour buddy Lzzy Hale (and no this track isn’t a cover of the All American Rejects track: sadly!). And the chemistry of Matt and Lzzy’s voices fits so perfectly we definitely hope this combination happens more often.
The night may have gone far too quickly (you can never have too much Bullet) but what everyone did experience tonight was a true reminder than these Welsh lads are going to be hanging around for a lot longer!
9/10
Reviewed by: Rhian Westbury
Photographer: Graham Berry
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