Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Monday 27th February 2023
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BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE – CAMBRIDGE – LIVE REVIEW
Somehow it’s already been almost a year and a half since Bullet For My Valentine released their self-titled seventh album. The record arrived in late 2021 and we now find ourselves in early 2023! Time has certainly flown by, but finally the band are getting to head out around the UK in support of the album.
WATCH ‘DROWNING’ FROM ATREYU ON YOUTUBE
Tonight that sees the band kick off the UK leg of the tour at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge. Opening up proceedings are revamped Californian metallers Atreyu who receive a huge reception as they take to the stage.
The band of course has a long history and clearly many in the room are fully aware; soon enough though even those that weren’t already familiar with the band are on board as well. Drummer turned front man Brandon Saller orchestrates the crowd superbly as the group run through the likes of ‘Becoming the Bull’, ‘Save Us’, ‘Drowning’ and ‘Blow’. By the time they exit the stage, the reaction is even greater than when they arrived.
WATCH ‘VORTEX’ FROM JINJER ON YOUTUBE
Anticipation is clearly high also for our next act, Ukraine’s much hyped Jinjer. Led by singer Tatiana Shmailyuk, the group instantly command the attention of the packed venue and show just why they’ve had so much attention in the last few years.
The time that the band spend onstage tonight feels short, which is usually a good sign; and it’s evident from the confident performance that the band feel at home and indeed belong on big stages. As far as their job tonight is concerned, by the time that they leave the stage they’ve got the crowd riled up and ready for our headliners but they’ve also left them wanting more Jinjer – which is precisely the outcome needed from their main support slot.
WATCH ‘KNIVES’ FROM BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE ON YOUTUBE
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By the time Bullet For My Valentine hit the stage, the crowd have already been treated to a fantastic evening and to an extent the pressure is on for a band who have been much maligned by metal fans in recent times.
Each of their last three albums have been hailed as a return to form, but surely that actually indicates that the band have been delivering consistently good music? Their live shows have certainly continued to deliver the goods and despite being under the weather tonight is no different.
‘Knives’, ‘Over It’ and ‘Piece of Me’ get the audience on side from the beginning before ‘4 Words (to Choke Upon)’ steps things up a notch. The pace of the set from here is relentless with a good mix of old and new material on offer from the band.
There is a nice surprise with the inclusion of rarity ‘Hearts Burst Into Fire’ which does a good job of getting those phones up in the air. There is also plenty that gets the crowd moving as well with the likes of ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and the final run of ‘Your Betrayal’, ‘Tears Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waking the Demon’ all sounding absolutely massive tonight.
Whilst the career trajectory for the group may have slowed down, through their recent releases and shows like tonight, Bullet For My Valentine have shown that they still have plenty left in the tank!
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Read our review of Bullet For My Valentine’s self-titled album
