Live review: Black Veil Brides @ The Great Hall, 11/10/14 

Jack Thundercliffe headed to the Great Hall for a headbanging session with Hollywood rockstars Black Veil Brides

Just under two weeks before their highly anticipated fourth full-length album, Black Veil Brides took to the UK armed with a handful of new songs. One could easily mistake tonight for Halloween, as hordes of fans gather eagerly outside the venue laden with gothic makeup and war paint. Before this fan army were able to get a taste of the future of Black Veil Brides, though, they were subjected to the night’s openers – ‘Drama Club’.

This act attempted to remix songs popular with the BVB fan base, including one of Andy Biersack’s own solo songs – however, their messy (and somewhat confusing) performance was slightly too ambitious and didn’t go down well with a crowd who seek heavy guitar riffs and something they can sing along to without an awkward electronic overdub.

Thankfully, what came next provided just that: Fearless Vampire Killers. This UK rock group are particularly popular among the average BVB fan, made obvious by the number of FVK shirts around. Playing through older songs such as ‘Bow Ties On Dead Guys’, to their latest single ‘Maeby’, the 5-piece won over and riled up the crowd.

Next to the stage were Attila, a metalcore act from Atlanta. The set was a continuous drone of drop-tuned chugging, but the band’s enthusiasm kept the atmosphere lively. The better-known track ‘About That Life’ – despite having potentially the least inspirational lyrics ever written – was impossible not to enjoy. Efforts to get fans to crowdsurf didn’t go down so well – at this point it was clear people were trying to hold their position ready for the main purpose of being gathered at the university’s Great Hall tonight.

Black Veil Brides launched their set with the new powerful track ‘Heart of Fire’. Although the band’s new sound is a slight stray from the path, the opener is instantly recognisable as a Black Veil Brides tune. Lead singer Andy Biersack saw his microphone stand come to its untimely death by the last chorus, promising an electric evening. Another taste of the band’s latest venture was offered with ‘Faithless’, perhaps lurking into even darker territory with a brutal opening section that ensured the crowd was anything but static. The likes of ‘Knives and Pens’ and ‘Rebel Love Song’ provided the veteran Veil fans with an influx of nostalgic memories. It is fair to say the band would not be playing here this evening if it weren’t for such hits. Their drummer ‘CC’ performed an impressive drum solo to bridge the gap between a switch of guitars, but it drags on a bit – the static crowd makes this obvious enough. Finishing off with ‘Perfect Weapon’ and ‘Fallen Angels’, Black Veil Brides leave the stage grinning cheek to cheek – they are fully aware that wherever they go, there will be an impressive turnout of loyal fans who will reliably feed back the same energy that the performance provides.

“Black Veil Brides! Black Veil Brides!” – following the roaring chant of the BVB Army, the band re-emerge. It feels like a call to arms as the 5 pick up their instruments and position themselves for one final charge. Of course, quite fittingly, the band finished the night with possibly the most powerful track in their discography – ‘In The End’. It becomes difficult to hear Andy’s roars as the crowd are singing from the bottom of their lungs, using up every ounce of air and energy that remains. Following the encore, Black Veil Brides line up and take a bow in front of the audience they have conquered. And there’s no denying they have done so.

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Live review: Black Veil Brides @ The Great Hall, 11/10/14

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