Metal fans of Australia, grab something sturdy and for the love of God don't let go.
Bullet For My Valentine return to our shores in October for a tour alongside Atreyu and up-and-comers, Cane Hill.
Currently playing as special guests on the Vans Warped tour in the United States, the Welsh quartet will invade Oz on the back of their 2015 'Venom' album, the band's first number one album courtesy of Australia. “We've had a relationship with the Atreyu guys for over a decade now and we actually toured Australia with them before,” says vocalist and guitarist, Matt Tuck.
“They've got a new album and they're trying to make a bit of a comeback, so we thought we'd take those guys with us. Cane Hill are obviously an up-and-coming American metal band that are making waves in the media and they're on Warped now as well.
“We took them on tour in the States a couple of months ago when we did a headline tour. So we have an exciting, young metal band, we have a metal band who are a bit more nostalgic who people haven't seen in a while because they been taking a break and then us, playing our number one record. So it's cool, it works.”
Clearly excited to get to Australia and pay tribute to the fans who made 'Venom' number one, Matt says fans can expect a packed and high-energy setlist covering the band's entire back catalogue. “We'll be [playing] across the catalogue,” he says.
“It won't be the majority of it, but if there's one album that will be more in the set [than others] it's obviously 'Venom', that's kind of why we're there. It's a moment for us to celebrate the fact we have a number one album over there, so it'll definitely be 'Venom' heavy, but there will be other things from the EP right up to today.
“We've been opening the [tour] cycle with 'No Way Out' just like the album, which goes down a treat. It's classic Bullet stuff: it's super-heavy, it's got loads of energy but then you've got a massive anthem in the chorus, it's a classic Bullet opener. 'You Want A Battle' and even the more balladry songs like 'Venom', they've got great, big choruses which the audience loves to sing-along to, which is perfect for a live scenario.”
While Bullet's usual drummer Michael 'Moose' Thomas is on sabbatical caring for his young family, Jason Bowld, who also plays drums in Matt's side project Axewound, has filled in on the skins. Matt says it's more than likely Jason will be behind the kit for the Australian tour. “Jason is still rocking out with us,” he says.
“Moose is doing his thing as a dad, which is fine, we totally respect that. Jason is doing an incredible job but as far as Australia goes I don't know, that's a Moose question. It's up to him. As it stands, Jason is coming but Moose may get sick of changing nappies soon and decide he wants to be behind the drum kit again instead,” he laughs.
2015 also saw the addition of a new bass player, Jamie Mathias, following the departure of Jason James. Matt says Jamie has added much-needed new blood to the outfit, re-energising them as a live unit. “He was the frontman in his old band,” Matt says, “so he's got a great voice, he's got great stage presence, and he's got experience with being on stage and touring, so he just ticked all the boxes we wanted when we were looking for a replacement.
“He just excels at what he does, he's amazing; his voice is annoyingly good as well so it makes me up my game quite considerably,” Matt laughs, “and for the live show he just adds such a great dynamic vocally, it's brilliant.”
Devout Bullet fans worldwide will have the rarest of opportunities in November to see the band perform their debut 2005 album 'The Poison' live and in full, from opener to closer at the Manchester Academy in England. Matt assures us it will be a once-in-a-lifetime affair. “If it wasn't for that album we wouldn't be here,” he says. “'The Poison' definitely laid the foundations for our band to do what we need to do as musicians, and thankfully everyone's been along for the ride since.
“It's going to be a very special night for those lucky enough to get their tickets early enough. It's not something we're going to be doing again either, we're not going to milk this or do a world tour, we're just going to do it and get it done and move on.”
As for the Australian fans who have made 'Venom' a number one record, Matt has a very special message for you. “Thank you very much for the support over the years. Thank you very much for giving us our first number one record, that means the world to us. We are super honoured and we can't wait to come to Australia. It's been a few years and to celebrate that number one record with all our fans, it's going to be a beautiful thing.”
Bullet For My Valentine Tour Dates
Thu 20 Oct - Metro City (Perth)Fri 21 Oct - HQ (Adelaide)
Mon 24 Oct - 170 Russell (Melbourne )
Tue 25 Oct - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
Thu 27 Oct - Big Top (Sydney)
Fri 28 Oct - Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)
