Proving The Haters Wrong?
It’s fair to say that Bullet For My Valentine have faced an up hill struggle with UK metal fans. Slated by many for simply not having enough metal credentials, the Welsh lads have often come under unnecessary criticism. Love them or hate them there is no denying that the Matt Tuck and Co. are probably the biggest UK metal act since Iron Maiden and tonight at the home of metal, it is time to prove the haters wrong.
With AC/DC’s upcoming set resulting in the main stage being closed for the best part of Bullet’s return to Download, its fair to say that many in front of the Ronnie James Dio stage are here simply out of sheer curiosity, meaning Bullet have yet more do to silence the doubters. Delivering a devastating two headed juggernaut, Bullet For My Valentine get their set underway with the double impact of ‘Your Betrayal’ and ‘Fever’ as the Welsh quartet unleash brutal riffs alongside crushing drum beats. Tonight is very much about proving themselves as Bullet brings the theatrics to match their ever increasing catalogue with bursts of fire providing added intensity to ‘Scream Aim Fire’. From the venom spewing ‘4 Words (To Choke Upon)’ to the melodic emotion of ‘Tears Don’t Fall’ that receives the backing vocals of 60,000 metal fans, Bullet offer a near perfect set that mixes the old with the new, boldly allowing ‘The Last Fight’ to hold its weight alongside the likes of ‘All These Things I Hate’ that demands a mass sing along, a request that is happily received, topped only by a rousing bombardment of ‘Hearts Burst Into Fire’ much to the obvious delight of the band.
Tonight Bullet has let the music do all the talking. Pausing only briefly to thank the crowd, it is clear that the Welsh four piece have grown since the last graced the hallowed Donington ground and over the course of less than two hours they have undoubtedly changed a few opinions about their metal credibility, perhaps even winning over yet more fans to their ever growing legion. Two years ago Matt Tuck boldly stated on this very ground that his band would one day be headlining Donington and it would seem that Bullet are now back stronger than ever, and whilst they may not have been headliners tonight, surely that next step isn’t too far away?