If you’re looking for a face-ripping, ear-throbbing night of metal goodness and debauchery featuring three of the hottest acts on the scene today, look no further than the current Bullet For My Valentine tour featuring Trivium and Toothgrinder. When it comes to metal, these three acts know how to bring the good stuff.
We had the chance to check out the Pittsburgh night of the tour on Monday, May 14, 2o18. And, it was clear, Pittsburgh had shown up for the party.
Toothgrinder, always a fan favorite, kicked off the night and brought an energy not normally seen in opening bands. Hailing from New Jersey, these guys absolutely killed it. Worth mentioning, aside from their incredible musicality, was the fact that vocalist Justin Matthews performed the entire set in a business suit.
If his inclination was to “dress for the job you want,” he looked better suited (no pun intended) for a board room than a metal show. And, really, it was AWESOME to see. He rocked that suit better than any one of those models in the Men’s Wearhouse catalog. Along with his vocals, the rest of the band provided the music to get the crowd moving and ready for the next act, Trivium.
In all honesty, Trivium was the band of the night. From the opening notes of “The Sin and the Sentence” to the closing of “In Waves,” it was clear that Trivium wasn’t really playing second fiddle to anybody. Matt Heafy is a man who knows how to get the crowd engaged, while simultaneously playing guitar and singing (and sticking out his tongue!). If you haven’t seen them live, you have to. The rockers from Florida completely owned the night. The crowd was eating up every single word and singing them right back to the band, and the pits were jammed the entire set.
Commanding the crowd to make endless circle pits, Heafy and friends gave everyone in attendance exactly what they came for: complete metal mayhem with a side of camaraderie that only comes from sharing space with fellow metal fans and completely losing your mind. It was, in essence, a fantastic showing from one of the most enigmatic and energetic bands on the scene.
And, I am compelled to mention the incredible drumming skills from Alex Bent. Every single time I have seen them, he blows me away, and May 14 was no exception. The rest of the band is beyond talented, obviously, but Bent’s skills just command attention. He’s a wonder to see live, and I think the band is better because he is the one manning the kit, so to speak. Absolutely undeniable, untouchable talent from one of the top drummers in the industry. He’s so fun to watch.
After a small reprieve, Bullet for My Valentine came out swinging. However, their energy was not nearly what was anticipated given the pulse of the driving forces who introduced them to the crowd. That’s not to say they weren’t good, they clearly were, but they almost seemed bored on the stage compared to the other two acts. It didn’t take long for the band to perk up and give the fans what they came for. And, the crowd absolutely lost their shit when those guys came out and kicked off their massive sixteen-song set (complete with a three-song encore!).
Clearly, the majority of the fans around me were there to support their band, BFMV, and there were many points I didn’t hear the band over the roars and screams of the crowd. I had to step away to answer a phone call, and when I came back, it was almost as if the crowd tripled while I was outside. Matthew Tuck had the entire venue eating out of his hands. Guys and gals alike were killin’ it in the pit, crowd surfing, and just generally taking in the moments with BFMV. It was obvious that the foursome fed off of the love from the crowd. What Tuck commanded, the crowd delivered. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
If this ticket is coming to your town, GO SEE IT. All the bands played new songs alongside older favorites. On more than one occasion, I found myself thinking, “I wonder if they will play…?” and sure enough, they did! My only personal complaint is that Trivium didn’t play long enough, but that’s because they were the act to see for me. It’s never long enough for me (is it ever, really?)! I don’t think anyone left Stage AE not sweaty and soaked in the metal marinade that the three acts combined brought to Pittsburgh. And that, friends, is the sign of a top night. A top night, indeed.
TOOTHGRINDER SETLIST
The Shadow
Diamonds for Gold
Let It Ride
Vagabond
Paris
Phantom Amour
Blue
TRIVIUM SETLIST
The Sin and the Sentence
Throes of Perdition
Betrayer
Until the World Goes Cold
Strife
The Heart From Your Hate
Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr
Capsizing the Sea
In Waves
BFMV SETLIST
Don’t Need You
Over It
Your Betrayal
4 Words (To Choke Upon)
You Want a Battle? (Here’s a War)
The Last Fight
Worthless
Piece of Me
Drum Solo
Army of Noise
Scream Aim Fire
Venom
The Poison
Encore:
No Way Out
Tears Don’t Fall
Waking the Demon
