The Welsh heavy metal band is joined by Of Mice & Men and Vended.
The Riviera Theatre in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood has hosted a multitude of artists from all walks of life and all genres of music. Walking in, you’re greeted by a plethora of portraits of various artists from over the years from Sheryl Crow to Velvet Revolver. But on the other side of the spectrum was Sunday’s show with Bullet for my Valentine with Of Mice & Men and Vended. This tour would mark Bullet for My Valentine’s first North American headlining tour in five years, and their openers would prove to round out a perfect lineup of 21st century metal.
Despite a scheduled showtime of 6:30, Vended would take the stage at 6:00. On the surface, they are well known for being led by the sons of Slipknot members Corey Taylor and Shawn “Clown” Crahan–Griffin Taylor on vocals and Simon Crahan on drums. And sure, their fathers’ influence is undeniable, but they are so much more. With an aggressive rhythm section and driving riffs that are just as impactful live as they are recorded in a studio and Griffin Taylor’s ferocious screams that mirror the Iowa days, Vended are just as vigorous as they are relentless. Despite a 25-minute set, their entertaining performance was not only well-received but unbelievably satisfying to both new and existing fans.
Of Mice & Men would be up next. Following the announcement in July of their eighth album Tether, since released on October 6th, the band would also hop on this tour to coincide with the new record. The band would give a stunning performance of both old and new songs, and for someone who may not have followed the band much or known of their status since now-disgraced vocalist Austin Carlile’s departure in 2016, they would absolutely be in for a surprise when bassist turned frontman Aaron Pauley took the mic. Dominating both clean and unclean vocals, his strong performance would prove that there is nowhere else for the band to go but continuously upwards, a direction they seem to have been going for the last six years. Ending their set with the oldest song on their list, “Second & Sebring,” Of Mice & Men have shown how relentless they have been in their nearly 15 years as a band, and their night in Chicago has demonstrated that they have continued to gain new fans.
Finally, headliners Bullet for My Valentine would close out the night at the Riv with a 90-minute set. Playing a mix from their breakthrough 2005 album The Poison and all of their succeeding albums save for 2013’s Temper Temper. Featuring standout renditions of radio hits “Over It,” “Your Betrayal,” and “Scream Aim Fire,” the band would give a nod to nearly each of their eras in their nearly 20 years as a band. In fact, vocalist Matthew Tuck would reference this almost halfway through their set, saying they would be celebrating that exact milestone next year as well as 20 years of The Poison in 2025, before introducing a favorite from the record, “All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me).” Even for the most passive listener of the band, their performances and humble stage presence undeniably makes Bullet for My Valentine a solid live band, a realization one might not have until they see it for themselves. Before the night was over, the crowd would chant “one more song,” and the band would ultimately be able to play their encore, which would be “Hearts Burst Into Fire” from 2008’s Scream Aim Fire. The devoted and content audience would leave with happy hearts and starstruck inner children, as the band that defined their middle school/high school/maybe even college eras has continued on the road and crossing oceans to play for thousands upon thousands.
