I/we have waited since 2008 to see Bullet For My Valentine and it was well worth it. I won't forget this show anytime soon. First, I had no idea who the first opening band was but I was very impressed with them (Stars In Stereo). Comparable to Halestorm but not quite as polished yet but as a new band they have good potential. The second band (Young Guns)...well, I've seen them before as an opening act and I'll keep my opinion of them to myself as not to offend. Then the show started heating up! Halestorm!! This was my second time seeing them and they never disappoint. The band was tight, the performance was stellar and Lzzy was beautiful as always. I must say this because I've always told everyone I meet...the first time I saw Halestorm I hung out with them after the show got to kiss Lzzy!! That in itself is unforgettable to me.
OK, on with the show. Bullet For My Valentine blew the roof off! Literally, by the time the show was over we had tiny pieces of the ceiling in our hair and on our clothes! Matt's voice was spot on like it was right off the record, Jay growled and screamed his way through his parts, Moose pounded the drums like he was killing them, and Padge ripped his way through every song like a hot knife through butter. Plus he seemed to be enjoying himself more than anyone. He would smile and make faces at my son who is 13 and even gave him his pick at the end of the show! I'm sure my son will not forget that. There are only two things that I wish they did/didn't do. First, I REALLY would have liked to hear "Forever And Always", one of my favorite slow ones from them, which by the way should have been a huge radio hit! Second, Bullet used the same Orchestral piece for their into as Ozzy has used for decades. That disappointed me because I love them both but Bullet is a huge band in their own right and I didn't think they should have to use that to get attention as an intro. But don't let that discourage anyone from going to a Bullet For My Valentine show. If you are a fan at all you will not be disappointed!!
Check out my few pics below. One of Halestorm and a few from Bullet. Although not very good, they give a sense of the scene.