Bullet for My Valentine’s British Invasion Tour hits The Midland Theater in Kansas City
with Asking Alexandria and While She Sleeps
Bullet For My Valentine
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
On Tuesday, February 16, 2016, we did not need Paul Revere to tell us that the British were coming; we could tell that by the line of folks outside The Midland Theater in KC. As we sat inside the Indie On Main and enjoyed a few pre show pops, we were able to get a view of the diverse crowd that was attending the show that night. It was a good mix, with the majority on the younger side of the spectrum. Leading off the show was While She Sleeps, a Metal Core band from Sheffield, England. When they started off, I was not sure if there were some sound issues, but the vocals and drums were way too hot, and the guitars could not be heard. Halfway through the second song, whatever the issue was was fixed, and it was music to the ears (yes I am a tool bag for saying that). During their set, I found myself moving along to their music and really enjoying their sound. The vocals were not clean by any means but nowhere near a cookie monster style. I was really surprised that a band that had been around since 2006, and sounded as good as they did, were not a little better known. Give them a listen people; I think you will like what you hear.
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
Next to the Midland stage out of York, North Yorkshire, was Asking Alexandria. For an opening band, they brought with them a nice lighting rig and the tallest drum riser I have seen in a while. I can’t say that I am very familiar with Asking Alexandria’s music and am going to sit here and pick apart the difference between Danny and Denis’s vocals; I will just give you my experience of the night in question. My first thought was, “I am confused as hell.” Let me explain; the vocal ranges in their songs were all over the place. Not saying I did not like them, because I actually did, but to hear three different vocal styling’s in a song was kind of a mind blower. They had clean vocals, rough dirty ass vocals and high pitched whines mixed in everywhere. And again I really kind of liked it. It was like listening to a song that has the guitar parts that change tempo through out. Thought number two, I should have taken a drink every time they said, “ Kansas City”; there was no way in hell they were going to forget where they were playing. If I would have taken a drink every time, I would have had to been double fisting beers to make it through the set. As the night ended for Asking Alexandria, Ben Bruce let us know that he really hated to go, but he was in dire need of a blow job. Ben, I hope you were taken care of my man.
While She Sleeps
Photo by: John Thornbrugh
Last, but only because they were the head liner was Bullet for My Valentine hailing all the way from Bridgend. They opened their set with “No Way Out” from their 2015 release Venom, and away they went. The crowd really got stirred up as the thunderous roar of “4 Words” blasted throughout the theater. One thing that really grabbed my attention from the start was the beating the set of Pearl drums were taking up there on stage. I don’t know what it was, but I have never been held hostage by singular instrument during a song before unless it was a solo of course, but these drums were just on point. Turns out, it was not even Moose beating the skins; it was Jason Bowld settling in while Moose is at home awaiting the birth of his child. Mr. Bowld represented the band very well and even ripped of an amazing solo. All through their set, the sound of the band was tight as could be and came down with a hammering force that kept our ears peeled back. The Brits may not have been able to handle us 240 years ago, but on this night they were in charge, and I do not think there was a soul in the place that seemed to mind. Bullet for My Valentine shows no signs of slowing down this year, as they are on a globetrotting world tour that will come to end on December 9th back in London, so I think you might have your opportunity to see these guys somewhere in your neck of the woods this year.
Ace Sims – RockRevolt Contributor
