Bullet For My Valentine, Cancer Bats, Miss May I @ The Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney (27/02/2013)
Last week saw the return of giants Bullet For My Valentine to Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter to play to a plethora of hardcore fans. Following up on a somewhat successful set at Soundwave the previous Sunday, the sidewave could have gone one of two ways.
Preferably, BFMV could put on the phenomenal show they have been known for and give their fans what they want. Or, they could spend far too much time promoting their new disappointment known as Temper Temper. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
First on-stage was up-coming band Miss May I. After several failed attempts to start a sizeable circle pit, the band from Ohio tried in vain to get a reaction – any reaction – from the crowd. But it was clear that 90% of the audience had little interest. Perhaps it was the complete lack of a light show, or perhaps it was the dodgy acoustics that made the drums, guitars, and voices one conglomeration of noise (and not in a good way). Regardless, Miss May I were unfortunately unable to fully deliver.
Luckily, the bands got better as the night got older. Cancer Bats were up and, having played alongside BFMV countless times, they knew exactly what to do. Pumping up the audience from the get-go, lead-singer Cormier kept the morale sky-high throughout the 45-minute set. The crowd responded to every request and every “fuck” that was uttered, making the set fly by in an instant. The energy bounced off the walls; the audience was ready for Bullet For My Valentine.
Their entrance was dramatic as it could ever be. Picture a massive black cloth pulled away to reveal two bloodied hands against a white background. Cue O Fortuna (Google that shit) and the smoke machines. The sanity in the room was pretty much non-existent at that point.
Overall, their performance pretty much hit the nail on the head. Their set lasted almost two hours and only consisted of a handful of new songs – that no one knew the words to, anyway. But Matt beckoned the crowd on with ease and they responded twice as strongly. But the highlight? Tears Don't Fall. Every part of it was exactly what you’d expect from such a reputable band. Every chord perfect, every note in tone. The whole crowd threw themselves forward at the exact same time in a perfect unison of bodies reacting to music. As one of their final songs, it was a perfect way to finish off the night.
Olivia Fusca
Preferably, BFMV could put on the phenomenal show they have been known for and give their fans what they want. Or, they could spend far too much time promoting their new disappointment known as Temper Temper. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
First on-stage was up-coming band Miss May I. After several failed attempts to start a sizeable circle pit, the band from Ohio tried in vain to get a reaction – any reaction – from the crowd. But it was clear that 90% of the audience had little interest. Perhaps it was the complete lack of a light show, or perhaps it was the dodgy acoustics that made the drums, guitars, and voices one conglomeration of noise (and not in a good way). Regardless, Miss May I were unfortunately unable to fully deliver.
Luckily, the bands got better as the night got older. Cancer Bats were up and, having played alongside BFMV countless times, they knew exactly what to do. Pumping up the audience from the get-go, lead-singer Cormier kept the morale sky-high throughout the 45-minute set. The crowd responded to every request and every “fuck” that was uttered, making the set fly by in an instant. The energy bounced off the walls; the audience was ready for Bullet For My Valentine.
Their entrance was dramatic as it could ever be. Picture a massive black cloth pulled away to reveal two bloodied hands against a white background. Cue O Fortuna (Google that shit) and the smoke machines. The sanity in the room was pretty much non-existent at that point.
Overall, their performance pretty much hit the nail on the head. Their set lasted almost two hours and only consisted of a handful of new songs – that no one knew the words to, anyway. But Matt beckoned the crowd on with ease and they responded twice as strongly. But the highlight? Tears Don't Fall. Every part of it was exactly what you’d expect from such a reputable band. Every chord perfect, every note in tone. The whole crowd threw themselves forward at the exact same time in a perfect unison of bodies reacting to music. As one of their final songs, it was a perfect way to finish off the night.
Olivia Fusca