LIVE REVIEW: Black Veil Brides @ Academy, Manchester

As the evening commenced in Manchester with the line stretching as far as the museum down the road, BLACK VEIL BRIDES was prepped with their fellow supports CEMETERY SUN and LILITH CZAR ready for a tantalising sold-out night of recognisable hits in promotion of their recent offering, The Phantom Tomorrow.

Hailing from Los Angeles, California USA, the unfamiliar rockers CEMETERY SUN started off strong with the tracks Misery’s Company and Break Me Down while the crowd was crawling into the sold-out Manchester Academy venue. Spectators could see the crowd was vibing with the band as they struck each chorus. Their slow numbers Song 19 and Piece of Shit had hundreds of hands in the air and had the attention that the quartet desired. The next track that was to pass was Fake Love,  which allowed the echoes of the crowd clapping in sync to an addictive beat and their closing track Fly was met with respectful crowd participation with a moshpit marking a good note to end their set.

Rating: 7/10

At first glance, one may not be familiar when the name LILITH CZAR was next to be put forward to the masses. However, by judging from all available eyes, it was apparent that a lot from the congregation knew who the band was. The vibe given from Feed My Chaos and Unholy were giving the right amount of attention and the loudest response from their Manchester audience. 100 Little Deaths brought the hard-rocking soul that leader Juliet Simms gives similar vibes to Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM and the curious crowd was given a thrilling rendition of Stevie Nicks‘ hit Edge of Seventeen. Expressing the dream that all want to strive through, LOLA was a slow number to appreciate as lights shined through the cracks of the darkness. The track King gave strength and power to scream, making the moment a big hit for the audience and their final Anarchy was the song for those who do not give a fuck and it ended the set very nicely indeed.

Rating: 8/10

From the very start of the night, Manchester had a thirst that was ready to be quenched for a band that has made their mark in the overall metal and rock scene. With a more matured approach for all fans old and new, BLACK VEIL BRIDES belted through the airwaves with Crimson Skies and Coffin with a rapturous scream had sett the evening on the right note. Taking their fans on memory lane with the instantly recognisable Rebel Love Song and their newest offering Devil, the duality from the two songs obtained an overall great response.

As Faithless, Wake Up and I Am Bulletproof bounced the walls with crowd participation and voices getting louder as each song hits, witnesses can appreciate the showmanship from their singer Andy Biersack who had a very commanding stance that made BLACK VEIL BRIDES the force that the troupe are recognised for from all those years ago. Along with the pounds from Christian Coma on the drums, the twin duelling guitars from Jake Pitts & Jeremy Ferguson and the loud plucks from bassist Lonny Eagleton, they revealed their musicianship as the full package.

Blasting with the popular Scarlet Cross led to Shadows Die that gave Jinxx (Jeremy Ferguson) expression through a violin solo, giving a unique approach to their palpable performance. While their new offerings through Shadows Rise got an overall good reception, it was through the instantly noticeable Wretched and Divine and Perfect Weapon that brought life back from the ecstatic response from their audience. Then, the classics The Legacy and Knives & Pens brought more of their dedicated old school into motion with an even bigger reaction.

As the night approached to a faultless close, BLACK VEIL BRIDES gave a triple threat to their encore that came in full circle for fans who were to the material and for those who have followed the metal ensemble from the beginning. As Lost It All was drowned with arms in rhythm with the violin, Fallen Angels and In the End marked a triumphant end with voices and smiles united.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Sabrina Ramdoyal Photography here: 

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