Bullet For My Valentine Concert Review: Welsh Band Rips Through NYC With Toothgrinder [Exclusive Photos]

Welsh rockers Bullet For My Valentine took hold of Irving Plaza during their stop in New York City Thursday night (May 17) with support from Spinefarm Records label mates Toothgrinder. The crowd at this sold-out show was amped from beginning to end.

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Dressed in their Thursday night best, New Jersey prog quintet, Toothgrinder graced the stage in style. Members wore suspenders and vocalist Justin Matthews wore a tie and blazer. The band is in support of their latest album Phantom Amour and performed the self-titled track as well as newer tunes, “Let It Ride,” “The Shadow,” “Vagabond” and “Paris.”

The energetic crowd sunk their teeth into every catchy riff, soft melody, and stinging growl that Toothgrinder solidly delivered. Matthews jumped into the crowd a couple of times during the set but by the end of the night the tie, blazer and crowd came loose to the set-ending “Blue” off of their 2016 album Nocturnal Masquerade. By the end of their set Toothgrinder chants filled the humid air of Irving Plaza.

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Headlining act Bullet For My Valentine is currently touring in support of their forthcoming album Gravity due out June 29. The Welsh metallers kicked off their performance with fast-paced new singles “Don’t Need You” and “Over It.” The band also held a very intimate Q&A the day before the show (Wed. May 16) in Brooklyn at Saint Vitus bar where they spoke about creating the new material and taking chances with softer, acoustic sounds on certain moments on the record. They also expressed their surprise when they found out actress Margot Robbie was a big fan of the band.

The fans at Irving Plaza lost their minds to “You Want a Battle? (Here’s a War)” and beers spilled as fans tossed their drinks and pumped their fists to “The Last Fight.” Frontman Matt Tuck didn’t even need to sing during notable heavy songs such as “Worthless”, “Scream Aim Fire” and “The Poison.” Newest member, drummer Jason Bowld showed off his skills behind the kit as he unleashed a commanding drum solo, lead guitarist Michael “Padge” Paget and bassist Jamie Mathias annihilated their strings during the “Army of Noise” guitar solo.

One of their last songs was one of their oldest and most popular, “Tears Don’t Fall” off of their 2005 debut record The Poison. Bullet For My Valentine aptly ended their set with their thrasher “Waking the Demon,” crowd surfers made their way to the front and circle pits ensued which probably left a permanent indentation on the floor of Irving Plaza. The band continues their trek in Europe and Japan for summer festivals, Bullet For My Valentine returns to the states in September.