Last July, Rabit and I headed to the Kia Forum in Inglewood to witness a wondrous metal spectacle. Both Mastodon and Lamb of God celebrated the 20th anniversary of landmark records that helped reshape heavy metal and launched them into greatness. I enjoy seeing these kinds of shows—not only do we get to rediscover these amazing albums, but we also relive our high school days because they made us feel powerful and invincible.
It was during my high school days that I discovered two more acts that helped define the metalcore sound: Trivium and Bullet for My Valentine. Both bands made a huge impact on my life, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of their iconic records, Ascendancy (Trivium) and The Poison (Bullet for My Valentine). When it was announced that both groups would team up with August Burns Red for a tour, with one of their stops being at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, how could we resist? Rabit, Rockaholic, Buff Metal, our buddy Moose Metal, and I headed off to get ourselves a Vitamin Metalcore shot and feel the adrenaline rush.
Kicking off the night were the Christian-inspired metalcore juggernauts August Burns Red. It had been a while since I’d seen them spread their metalcore message of hope and positivity. Their first song was, of all things, a cover of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey!” An odd choice, but one that fired up every cylinder in my body. Right out of the gate, frontman Jake Luhrs was a heavenly force with his thunderous roars and screams. You could feel the energy he gave off through his lyrics.
His voice was matched by the shredding might of the guitar duo JB Brubaker (lead) and Brent Rambler (rhythm). Every time I hear JB pour his heart into his solos, it ignites my soul. Bassist Dustin Davidson and drummer Matt Greiner remain an insane duo, delivering blast beats and breakdowns with precision. August Burns Red played a mix of tunes that defined them as metalcore greats, mostly from their 2020 classic Guardians. Songs like “Paramount,” “Composure,” “Defender,” “Bloodletter,” “Vengeance,” “Exhumed,” “Marianas Trench,” and “Whitewashed” engulfed the LA crowd with light and energy. There was never a dull moment with August Burns Red, and I’ll be burning for more in the future.
Following the remarkable display by ABR, Bullet for My Valentine was ready to inject the YouTube Theater crowd with a dose of The Poison. As soon as the first riff of “Her Voice Resides” hit, the crowd went into a foaming frenzy. These Welsh metal warriors came to slay and conquer. Frontman and rhythm guitarist Matt Tuck was sharp as a razor with his licks, and his screams were as piercing as they were 20 years ago. No rust could be found in his roars.
Lead guitarist Michael “Padge” Paget dominated the lead riffs and showcased his insane fingering during the solos. Blisters and all, Padge remains a guitarist’s guitarist of metalcore allure. Bassist Jamie Mathias and drummer Jason Bowld bulldozed through breakdown beats and thrash-style tones like a wrecking crew. Hearing The Poison in its entirety fired up the crowd, making everyone feel like teenagers again.
Fans sang along to favorites like “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,” and “The End.” Bullet’s night wouldn’t have been complete without a couple of fan favorites to leave the crowd wanting more—of course, I’m talking about “Knives” and “Waking the Demon.” Bullet for My Valentine remains a driving force in the metalcore scene, and they still haven’t reached their peak.
It was then time to devour Trivium. Ascendancy was the album that not only catapulted this Orlando outfit to the top but also made metalcore sound undeniably cool. Frontman Matt Heafy, whom I like to call the Metal Samurai, was disciplined, fearless, and menacing. Heafy is the voice of my generation. Armed with his custom “Snøfall” Les Paul with two straps, his screams and riffs took no prisoners as they opened with “Rain.”
Lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu was rough and tough, going in for the kill with licks that cut through our eardrums like butter. Bassist Paolo Gregoletto, one of my favorites, dazzled us with his gallop rhythm style of playing. Whether using a pick or two-finger plucking, Paolo is the soul of Trivium. Drummer Alex Bent was a thundering machine on the kit, dominating the beats made famous by founding member Travis Smith (I wish he had been there).
A model of the burning humanoid from the Ascendancy cover hovered above Trivium, symbolizing the tribulations the band endured to reach their current heights. From “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” to “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,” and “Declaration,” the YouTube Theater exploded with adrenaline. As the album reached its end, Trivium treated us to a special encore with “In Waves,” the perfect tune to cap off the night.
This was a monumental night for metalheads in SoCal. We were treated to not one but two iconic groups celebrating their breakthrough albums that brought them glory. Trivium and Bullet for My Valentine are quintessential metalcore bands of today, while August Burns Red continues carving out a legacy that will be talked about for years to come. I look forward to hearing new music from all of them, but until then, we’ll continue to embrace the ascendancy they’ve laid before us. To Trivium, Bullet for My Valentine, and August Burns Red, I salute you. Horns up!
Photos by Matt 'Rabit' Martinez
