Bullet shoots to thrill

Bullet For My Valentine

NIA, Birmingham

review and photo gallery by James Watkins

Bullet For My Valentine (BFMV) caused chaos and produced one of the rock shows of the year as they blew away the NIA with a set that had the partisan crowd in awe on the opening night of their first solo arena tour.

Stamping their mark on the metal scene over the past 18 months, it's plain to see why the Bridgend four-piece have made the transition from club-league interest to mega stadium furore.

Opening with Your Betrayal, that featured a mini drum opening solo by Michael Thomas on the sticks, messers Matt Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar) and Jason James (bass guitar backing vocals), shook the NIA to its core and sent the fans wild as they powered there way through their catalogue of hits.

Pleasure & Pain and Demon rolled out roars of power chords and fast paced bass licks against a backdrop of flame-throwing pyrotechnics.

Slowing down the set with a stunning play of the anthemic Scream, it was clear to see that the Welsh metal heads were relishing every moment of their first solo-arena date.

Perfect rock guitar riffery from Michael Paget reached its zenith when he stood on the drum platform in the centre of the stage and under a single spotlight, mesmerised fans with a 5-minute doodle that led perfectly into an awe-inspiring Last Fight.

With flames and flares a-plenty, Bullet For My Valentine at times evoked the hysteria surrounding Metallica with their tight but full-throttle approach.

Playing through Alone and Tears they sent the crowd into a frenzy before finishing the show with a two song burst of Fever and Begging For Mercy. Matt Tuck thanked the fans as the band looked out in awe. "We're just 4 boys from Wales. We couldn't have done this without you - Thank you."

Bullet For My Valentine continue their arena tour of the UK in the run-in to Christmas.