It’s hard to believe that Bullet For My Valentine are presently celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band. The group have been celebrating this musical milestone out on the road across Europe.
What’s more, to add to the occasion the group bring with them in tow heavyweight touring counterparts by way of Atreyu and Ukranian power metallers Jinjer.
With so much to pack into the evening, an early start saw Atreyu take to the stage shortly after the doors opened. The room packed to the hilt as the US outfit got the proceedings underway. The group proved that they weren’t just there to make up the numbers with frontman Brandon Saller in the crowd by the second song of the set firing up the audience.
Songs like Drowning and a mosh pit-inducing rendition of Battle Drums really hit the spot. Whilst the band teased the audience with a few bars of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody. They promised if the fans would allow the band to return on their own tour, they would come back to play the full song, but only time will tell. A fierce rendition of Blow which came complete with a middle finger salute brought Atreyu’s phenomenal opening set to a close.
Sitting in the middle of the bill, Jinjer requires little introduction. The group performed a headline date at Newcastle University just adjacent to tonight’s venue shortly before the pandemic. The band’s return to Tyneside was certainly welcome.
Bedecked in a startling luminous outfit and matching eye makeup lead vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk had a commanding presence over the audience. The singer effortlessly switched between guttural growls and angelic clean vocals throughout the band’s performance. Jinjer’s ear-shattering rhythms and melodic groove certainly struck a chord with the Newcastle audience. There was little room for on-stage conversation, Jinjer preferred to let their music do the talking.
It’s been a long time since Bullet For My Valentine performed in the North East of England. You would have to look back to 2016 for the band’s latest appearance in the region. To say that the show has been eagerly anticipated is an understatement. Fans queued around the block from early in the evening to secure their spot in front of the stage.
Bullet’s latest date on Tyneside is somewhat of an intimate affair. But that didn’t stop the band from bringing with them a full arena production. As the quartet took to the stage, they started the set ferociously with new track Knives, along with a pair of favourites from their last album Gravity by way of Over It and Piece of Me.
By the time the group reached 4 Words (to Choke Upon) a circle pit began to form in the centre of the room, as Matt Tuck and company whipped the Newcastle crowd into a frenzy.
It’s Friday night in Newcastle and the Geordies have certainly brought their singing voices. The crowd wholeheartedly sing in unison to songs like You Want a Battle? (Here’s A War) and Shatter. Whilst the band performed a track chosen by their fans on social media via Hearts Burst Into Fire. The latter slowed down proceedings momentarily, showcasing a slightly more melodic side to the band’s repertoire.
The Last Fight still sounds as fresh as it did when it was released back in 2010. A fist-pumping rendition of the track was one of the many highlights of the show.
There was so much passion and intensity in the room, not only from the band but also from their fans and followers. Chants of Bullet frequently resonated loudly around the room. The quartet sunk their heart and soul into their performance throughout.
The Welsh four-piece concluded the show with Walking The Demon. On the strength of this performance, the Tyneside fans would agree that it may have been a long time since Bullet For My Valentine performed in the North East of England but it was certainly worth the wait.
Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy
