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Bullet for my Valentine: ambitious, but not yet all-conquering
Old metal is making a comeback, it seems, with Iron Maiden recently back in the top three and Guns N' Roses due to release a long-awaited album.
Meanwhile, several promising US bands have turned away from the prevailing new metal sound of recent years.
Amid this resurgence of sweaty, old-fashioned rock, Bullet for my Valentine are well placed to become big in 2007. The Welsh newcomers supported both Maiden and Axl Rose's band last year and performed with their heroes Metallica.
"We've been away trying to conquer the rest of the world," said singer Matt Tuck last night, although the ceremony with which they arrived on stage suggested they had already done so. The four members appeared one by one under spotlights, their entrances punctuated by huge pyrotechnic flames, and launched into gnarly rocker Her Voice Resides.
Tuck divided his time between the front of the stage and a platform at the back, which involved scampering up and down a large ramp. But this was a show powered by heavy riffs and Tuck's screams - it was not reliant on stage gimmicks or the fireworks.
One new song suggested their second album will be even more noisy, which pleased their fans greatly. Trios of 13-year-old boys headbanged in unison, despite their neat haircuts.
A few tunes stood out including All These Things I Hate, which was the closest they came to arena rock.
But when the sound cut out during one song, it nearly all went wrong. The audience chanted: "Turn it up", while Bullet plodded on like a nervy sixth-form band desperate to get to the end. Riots have probably started over less.
A shower of sparks accompanied Tears Don't Fall, a big emotive ending which just about erased their previous faux pas. But for this ambitious band, it was not quite an all-conquering performance.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Yes, it was rather good. Sadly they lost the crowd when the sound cut out and never really regained their momentum. Sack their 'people' for not stopping them once they realised the sound was screwed. That spoilt it for me. Before that they owned the stage; the crowd... they owned everything in the vicinity.
- Raz, London
