TRIVIUM & BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
TRIVIUM & BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE BRING THEIR
“THE POISONED ASCENDANCY TOUR” TO GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
★★★★☆ (4/5)
TRIVIUM PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN
Rock metal legends “Trivium” and “Bullet For My Valentine” teamed up as they bought their “The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour” to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena last night, which was a high-energy, metal feast for fans, and the night did not disappoint one bit. With support from Orbit Culture, the show had a great balance of thrashy, melodic, and crushingly heavy sounds. Here’s a breakdown of the night.
Swedish death metal band Orbit Culture set the tone for the evening with their heavy, yet melodic, sonic assault. Their set was a strong mix of groove-heavy riffs and aggressive vocals, with an overall sound that draws comparisons to bands like Gojira and Arch Enemy. Their performance was tight, and the crowd responded well to their thunderous sound. Though they were the opening act, Orbit Culture certainly had the energy and stage presence to make an impact. Their new material from their recent album "Shaman" was a definite highlight, showcasing their evolution as a band.
As the second act, Bullet For My Valentine hit the stage next… the lights dimmed and the iconic intro of "The Poison Intro" filled the venue, Bullet For My Valentine hit the stage with all the fury and spectacle fans have come to expect from the Welsh band. The OVO Hydro, packed to capacity, exploded into a frenzy as Matt Tuck’s unmistakable voice rang out across the arena. The crowd, already fired up from Trivium’s set, responded to every riff with sheer enthusiasm.
Bullet For My Valentine kept the momentum high, performing tracks from their with tracks entirely from their debut album “The Poison” which is celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary which went down a treat. The biggest highlight was one of their loudest singalongs of the night. "Tears Don't Fall" sent the crowd into a nostalgia-fueled frenzy, while newer songs during their encore like "Knives" from their 2021 album Bullet For My Valentine showed the band's evolution, blending melody with a heavier, more modern sound.
The band's performance was as polished as you'd expect—tight and tight-lipped when it came to the technical aspects, but Tuck’s connection to the crowd brought warmth to the performance. His banter, combined with his ferocious guitar playing alongside Michael "Padge" Paget, kept the energy from flagging. The drum work from Jason Bowld, driving and thunderous, added to the raw power of the set.
Visually, the band pulled out all the stops, with a striking light show and pyrotechnics that added another layer of intensity to the show. The arena's acoustics were crystal clear, letting every guitar solo and vocal harmony shine through.
Now for the final act of the night… When Trivium took the stage, the OVO Hydro was buzzing with anticipation. As one of the most consistent and respected metal bands of the modern era, the band didn’t waste any time getting the crowd fired up. The intensity of Matt Heafy’s vocals and the sheer technical skill of Paolo Gregoletto (bass) and Alex Bent (drums) was immediately evident.
Opening with “Rain” from their band’s second studio album “Ascendancy” which is also celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary this year, the band treated their fans from the album in it’s full entirely. Trivium’s set a fierce tone that only escalated throughout the set. They effortlessly balanced their setlist between classics like “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” and newer fan favorites like “Like Light to the Files” Heafy’s vocal range, which shifts between soaring clean singing and harsh growls, was flawless.
The band’s ability to navigate through their diverse discography was a real highlight. The crowd’s energy matched the band’s, especially when they played some of their older hits like "Dying in Your Arms" and "A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation." The lighting and stage design added to the overall spectacle, with the laser shows and dramatic lighting matching the intensity of the music.
The band also treated the Glaswegian to one final track of the night during the encore which was one most famous newer hits “in Waves” the title track of their 2011 album release “In Weaves” which cemented night as whole. Crowd singing along and really giving the best atmosphere throughout the venue.
The show was a powerhouse of metal, with all three bands delivering exceptional performances. Orbit Culture did an excellent job warming up the crowd, Bullet For My Valentine kept the energy high with their melodic yet aggressive set, and Trivium closed the night with an unforgettable performance that lived up to their reputation as one of the leading names in modern metal.
For fans of heavy music, this was a night to remember, and the "Poisoned Ascendancy Tour" certainly lived up to its name. Each band brought their A-game, making this one of the most exciting metal tours to hit Glasgow in recent memory. If you’re catching any of the remaining dates, prepare for a full-throttle experience.