| Review: Black Veil Brides @ Rock City - 20/12/2013 [Live] |

Ben Mills Gets The Crowd Moving With 'Seatbelts'

Hollywood hard-rockers return to Nottingham for an evening full of flair, hairspray and loud music after two years. It's the last date on the Black Veil Brides'  'The Church of the Wild One Part II' tour but the energy is still running high among fans and the bands themselves. This show like nearly all of the shows on the tour is sold out and this is evident by how tightly packed the venue feels. After the doors are opened, shrieks of the young teenage fans are heard as they fight to make it to the stage (almost reminiscent of an army storming the battlefield).

As the venue begins to fill, the first band to grace the stage take position, clad in black from head to toe with instrument in hands. The Smoking Hearts, a five piece punk-rock group explode into their set with 'Destroy!' a song which packs a top notch guitar riff, a killer drum beat and strong vocals from vocalist Ben Mills. Only two minutes into their set and The Smoking Hearts have already won the hearts of the crowd and gets them screaming along the track's chant 'THIS IS TIME TO DESTROY!'. By the end of the first song guitarists 'Nobba' and Calvin have smiles as big as the Cheshire Cat's, but it's hard to blame them really. The rest of the set goes down a treat with the crowd participation being a key part of their set, just going to show that even if the fans don't know your tracks you can still motivate them, good going guys. (70%)

Aaron Buchanan Poses as the Robot From '86

The next band run on stage with bounding enthusiasm and the crowd instantly perks up as Heaven's Basement begin their opening song 'Fire, Fire' which sees the crowd begin to jump and move in synch to Aaron Buchanan's chants. Judging by the response the band is met to after their first song, we can see that Heaven's Basement are the more well known support band here tonight. Being a four piece band you may expect there to be a lack of power in the music, but Heaven's Basement are pulling out all the stops tonight and the delivery is superb. The sound could be deemed reminiscent of recent Rise Against material and guitarist Sid Glover's solos are something that have to be seen to be believed. By the end of the set, these lads end their set triumphantly on the band's biggest singles 'I Am Electric' and 'Nothing Left To Lose'. Make sure to look out for them
in 2014. (85%)

Jinxx & Jake Pitts Gear Up For 'In The End'

Finally at long wait, the lights dim for one last time tonight and as the intro to 'Shadows Die' is played on the speakers over the chant of 'BLACK VEIL BRIDES', the crowd sways in harmony to one another. Then, one by one the members step out on stage greeted by deafening screams of adoration. Lead singer Andy Biersack takes centre stage with a huge smile on his face before screaming on the breakdown of 'Shadows Die'. The venue is instantly ignited with the sound of 2450 fans singing along to the song, with fans even treated to the rare event of guitarist Jinxx playing his violin on stage.

The set from Black Veil Brides is aimed mainly to promote their 2013 album 'Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones', however the band does aim to keep loyal fans interested throwing in hit songs from their first two albums 'We Stitch These Wounds' and 'Set The World On Fire'. As members of the audience scream out to the members, the band drop into their earlier material which is received positively by all attending as the guitar riff from 'Knives and Pens' and 'Perfect Weapon' pulses through the crowd. It is here that guitarist Jake Pitts gets to show off his guitar skills and take the set to a musical climax.

Andy Biersack Commands the Crowd With Ease

Following 'Perfect Weapon' drummer Christian Coma aka CC gets his time in the spotlight as he performs a stunning drum solo. However as much as it is a spectacle to watch, there is a feeling that the band has played the same solo time and time ago and it soon becomes repetitive to listen to.

Despite this however, Black Veil Brides are able to put on a great show for fans both new, and old. Returning for an encore the band prepares for two last songs, and Andy finally dons the santa hat thrown on stage by a fan.

They finish their set with hit singles 'Fallen Angels' and 'In The End' which seem fitting given that is the show that closes 2013 for the band. As bassist Ashley Purdy and Andy Biersack thank the crowd and wave goodbye the lights fade away. (90%)
With news that they will be returning to the recording studio in the new year it seems that Black Veil Brides have set themselves up for yet another busy year - bring on 2014!