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Bring Me The Horizon - Brixton 02 Academy

Bring Me The Horizon w/Architects and Parkway Drive
Brixton 02 Academy 30/4/2011

Whether you like them or not, Bring Me The Horizon are currently one of the biggest metal bands in the industry. I can hear the haters shouting at their computers as they are reading this, but I’m sorry…it’s true. Tonight’s sold out show at the 02 Academy Brixton is proof that this bunch of lads are shaking shit up.

The queue was so long it ended up going around the academy itself and through side streets almost twice over. Due to this sadly I missed opening act The Devil Wears Prada, but I heard they went over very well with the already packed venue.

Architects have really burst onto the scene in the last year or so, with the success of ‘Hollow Crown’ the band have tried to take over the British metal scene with new album ‘The Here And Now’. Now I’m all in favour for trying to conquer audiences but I’m not a fan of how architects have completely changed their style to be blatantly more commercial. In terms of their live performance they certainly got the crowd going. Feeding off the energy of these fans anxiously waiting to get a glimpse of the headline act tonight. Suffering from sound issues however at times it all seemed a bit too much and ended up a very scrappy performance. I use the term scrappy more to be directed at the fight lead vocalist Sam Carter seemed to be having with a fan while stage diving. Quite embarrassing. Future of British metal? Personally I hope not. 6/10

If there is one band that has impressed me live over the last few years, it would be Parkway Drive. These guys are hardworking, genuine and easily the coolest bunch of surfer dudes you’ll meet. They have always put on one hell of a show and tonight is no different. Bursting through hard hitting songs such as ‘Unrest’ and the incredibly powerful ‘Boneyards’ The Drive has this crowd locked in awe for their entire set. Most people may be here for Oli and co but they will definitely be leaving as Parkway fans. Even the band themselves are completely shocked at the amount of support for them in what is probably their biggest UK show to date (excluding festivals). Vocalist Winston had a constant smile on his face and it was really great to see everyone having a great time. Slight sound problems again with the volume of the guitars but other than that it was a flawless set. 9/10

How do Bring Me The Horizon follow that you ask? Well they take all of that energy from Parkway and add a lot of flare. From opener ‘It Never Ends’ to closer ‘Chelsea Smile’ BMTH tore the roof off of the 02 Academy. A lot of time and effort was involved with making their set one to remember. Fantastic lighting to giant inflatable balls, to pyro. Their set had it all. However I was almost left to wonder, if they didn’t have all of the extras, would their set be as good? The answer would be probably not. While BMTH do have the fan support and the energy, I feel like sometimes the songs can be a little bland on their own. Some songs went down brilliantly including ‘The Comedown’ and new single ‘Blessed With A Curse’ with not one person in the crowd not singing along. Oli is a guy you want to punch I won’t deny that. However he is good at what he does and he certainly get’s this sold out crowd worked up tonight, inciting circle pits and walls of death. Sadly he almost ruined the showmanship by telling people to sit down and jump the fuck up a la Corey Taylor. It’s not quite the same when he does it in his Sheffield accent…Love them or hate them, BTMH are taking over. 8/10

Written By Graham Ray
Rayven Promotions

Gavin Harris - 11/05/2011 21:51:36