One of the most-anticipated tours of the year stopped at Palacio de Vistalegre in Madrid on February 27th, 2025. Metalcore juggernauts BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and TRIVIUM are both celebrating the release of their iconic albums, “Ascendancy” and “The Poison.” The bands brought ORBIT CULTURE on board to warm up the audience.
The evening kicked off with ORBIT CULTURE, who wasted no time setting the tone for the night. Despite the audience still settling in, the Swedish band delivered an intense opening, evoking memories of their past tour with IN FLAMES. Their set, though brief, was packed with power, with tracks like “North Star of Nija” and “Vultures of North” hitting with relentless force. Their fusion of groove metal and melodic death metal struck hard, even if the venue’s acoustics slightly muddled the sound. Still, their energy was undeniable, and while they aren’t newcomers, many left with a newfound appreciation for the band.
TRIVIUM followed, facing a rougher set due to factors beyond their control. This tour—one of the biggest metal events of the year—offered a rare opportunity to experience “Ascendancy” played in full, a dream for many fans who knew every lyric. From the opening “Rain” to the climactic “In Waves,” Matt Heafy and his bandmates delivered undeniable energy, but sound issues dampened the experience. Guitars faded, Alex Bent’s drums thundered excessively, and Heafy’s vocals occasionally struggled to break through the mix—at least from the floor. Fans familiar with Madrid’s Palacio Vistalegre know its challenging acoustics, making it unlikely that the blame fell on the sound engineers. Regardless, the audience remained undeterred, erupting into chaos during “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” and “A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation.” After “Ascendancy,” an explosive drum solo set the stage for Monte, the menacing demon from the album cover, to tower over the crowd—a dramatic visual fitting for such a monumental tour. Nostalgia filled the air as fans belted every word, reaffirming “Ascendancy” as an immortal classic of the metalcore genre.
Opening with “Her Voice Resides,” BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE came out determined to remind everyone why “The Poison” defined a generation. As European headliners, they reaped the benefits, delivering a show with precision and polish. Nostalgia peaked during “4 Words (to Choke Upon)” and “Tears Don’t Fall” (complete with an acoustic intro), while tracks like “Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow” and “Hand of Blood” reinforced why BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE once stood at the forefront of 2000s metalcore. Matt Tuck’s vocals remained strong, and Michael Paget’s solos particularly shone on “The End”. The closing duo of “Knives” and “Waking the Demon” ensured the night ended with one final burst of aggression. With an impressive light show, stage design, and overall production, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE delivered a performance befitting their status.
It was a night to remember, imperfections and all. It celebrated what was once the cutting edge of modern metal, now an established and beloved era. ORBIT CULTURE showcased what’s ahead, TRIVIUM fought through adversity to honor “Ascendancy,” and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE closed the night with the full spectacle fans had hoped for.
Written by Oliver Heras
SETLIST TRIVIUM
- Rain
- Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr
- Drowned and Torn Asunder
- Ascendancy
- A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation
- Like Light to the Flies
- Dying in Your Arms
- The Deceived
- Suffocating Sight
- Departure
- Declaration
- Capsizing the Sea
- In Waves
SETLIST BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
- Her Voice Resides
- 4 Words (to Choke Upon)
- Tears Don’t Fall
- Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)
- Hit the Floor
- All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)
- Hand of Blood
- Room 409
- The Poison
- 10 Years Today
- Cries In Vain
- The End
- Knives
- Waking the Demon
