It’s been a long time since the Sheffield outfit played in a tiny gig in the basement of a Bath pub and my mate ended up breaking his ankle two songs in. It was hard to believe that way back then that Bring Me The Horizon would become the premier British metal band of the moment almost two decades later. After album delays and personnel changes, including the most recent departure of Jordan Fish; they start 2024 a new band ready to hit the ground running into the NeX_GeN era.
The band have always incorporated their love of video games within their music and live shows. Starting with the music and custom made menus from Metal Gear Solid is always going to be a winner in my book. What follows for the next couple of hours, shows no half measures from pyros, impressive backdrops, talking A.I’s and a heck of a lot of camp. Things are kept tight throughout and that’s not even mentioning Sykes’ bold choice of red outfit.
The majority of the setlist tonight is comprised of their most recent “Post-Human” work with glimpses into the rest of their back catalogue along the way. The first surprise comes in the form of “Empire (Let Them Sing)” performed very early on to a gothic backdrop which feels like it was custom made for the arenas. “Amen!” comes at you like a freight train as does the wonderous breakdown in “Teardrops”. “Obey” in particular gets the raucous crowd moving along with the various pits opening up across the venue. Despite a couple of moments where things are put on hold to help members in the crowd, there is barely a moment for respite. Say for an acoustic version of “Strangers” played at the front of the stage to a mass sing along. What’s evident throughout is how well orchestrated the band are, despite this being the first night of the tour, the production is as slick as always and Oli’s vocals have come on leaps and bounds from the past.
Fans have speculated what sort of path they would take since Fish left, with him being instrumental to their evolution over the last 10 years. His duties are now carried out either by other members of the band or a track layering the synths over the top. If brand new single “Kool-Aid” is anything to go by, then I think it’s fair to say that there is even more of an injection of ferocity and energy within the group. Its live debut is treated like an old classic from the reaction of the crowd. The release of the new album is also met with a self-knowing tongue in cheek reference, but at the same time we get to hear snippets of those upcoming songs; with a collaboration with Underoath and a very heavy song called Limousine being the most tantalising.
Whilst the newer fans are given a taste of what is to come, the older fans also get a throwback from the Suicide Season era with the blistering “Diamonds Are Forever”. It’s a shame that it goes over the heads of a lot of the crowd tonight who may have only gotten into them over the past couple of years, but for those who are on board it is a set highlight. This changes though with “Antivist” featuring guest vocals from Bad Omens’ Noah Sebastian who injects even more venom into an already pretty incendiary song. The evening comes to a crescendo with the stunning “Can You Feel My Heart”; I think maturing is actually realising that this is probably the best song that they have actually written to date. Out of everything played so far, this probably has the biggest reaction out of anything and it’s clear to see why. Over the years it has become a live staple in their set and a clear favourite amongst fans.
With the 11pm curfew already reached from the various stoppages, it feels as though that is probably it for tonight. However we’re treated to just a little bit extra, with a short little film showcasing the journey of the band over the years and quite a journey its been. From those early underground pub days as previously mentioned, to being bottled at Reading Festival, to then later headline it along with Download and several others around the world. “Doomed” feels like a bit of a rare cut nowadays, being played for the first time since 2019 and shows how they don’t need massive breakdowns and heavy riffs to create a great song.
From the solemn sounds of the previous song, into “Lost” seems a massive contrast but shows the clear range they have to offer. The screens are filled with a sea of technicolour as confetti is fired out into the crowds. “We didn’t think we would be doing this for five years yet alone twenty” Sykes states just before set closer “Throne.” It gives everybody their last chance to dance and get down on the floor for a bit of a jump around. It’s fitting end to what has been a night full of extravagance, with a look at the past and a glimpse into the future for the Sheffield outfit. From the way things are going, it’d be safe to say that they are going from strength to strength and that they are certainly at the top of their game.