Fellow Welshmen Bullet for my Valentine Entertain Us All
I'd forgotten just how small the Astoria is. Maybe it's not quite as small as a Barfly venue, but you can actually see the stage from back of the venue, which can be a novelty sometimes. It was also packed out when I arrived at half seven, and already roasting. And so it was, that I found myself by the bar smack bang in front of the sound booth.
Bullet for my Valentine are obviously a popular band. Long before the band come on, anticipation builds and builds as the excitement develops. By the time the band comes on, the cheering is deafening but not as deafening as the guitars. This is one loud band- but a loud band with a tune (or two). The band have clearly learnt a few tricks from Iron Maiden as they churn out some classic metal riffing. Indeed, the mighty Maiden are cited as an influence with the band's determination to write more riff-driven songs succeeding. Put that together with the snarling half sung, half screamed vocals and you're onto a winner.
So far, so good. Barely stopping to pause for breath, Bullet For My Valentine launch into the next song. It may be more thrashy, chopping and changing endlessly, but it's not so deafening which can only be a good thing and the crowd love it. The band hasn't even said a word yet, and everybody's already moshing and singing along. The enthusiasm's catching, and you soon find yourself moving to the music involuntarily.
'Final Words' carries on that restless spirit, mixing up beats and melodies keeping us all guessing. As a live track, it's damn good as the energy and chaos of the song is reflected in the madness of the mosh pit whilst we still sing along. The track would've been even better were it not for the moment of emo in lyrics like "Where is my angel? I need her now"'. It's only after that that the band takes a break stopping to indulge in a bit of banter. Singer, Matt Truck, comes across as so sweet as he profusely thanks us all for coming to see them, that I can't help but smile.
'Cries in Vain' lulls us into a false sense of security before breaking into all out aural war. The drumming is awesome and heavy as you like. So when the next song returns to the classic metal of Maiden, it's a bit of a surprise although even then they can't seem to decide on what the rhythm is. That doesn't stop the band enjoying themselves, however, and they're loving the attention too.
But after a while, the songs start to blur into one. What starts out as inventiveness, becomes a bit worn and I start wishing they'd play something a bit different. And that's when 'It's my Time' comes around. It starts of a standard heavy metal run-through, complete with chugging guitars, but the chorus cuts through the guitars with Bon Jovi-like cries of "it's my time". I'd imagine that, on record, this song probably sounds a bit naff but live it almost works.
As the last song rolls around, people are going so crazy for them that Tuck really doesn't need to encourage them. It doesn't stop him doing it, though, and it's cool to see a singer playing to the crowd. The song isn't so bad either, sounding like a combination of the rest of the set. Bullet for My Valentine are definitely one of the better bands I've seen, and I'd probably go and see them again.