BFMV/ALL THAT REMAINS CONCERT REVIEW

Four modern metalcore acts took the stage Saturday evening to display their talents in front of a sell out crowd at The Palladium in Worcester Mass. The spring tour, which runs until the 20th of May, featured Escape the Fate, The Confession, All That Remains and Bullet for my Valentine.
The headliners were BFMV and, to a lesser extent, ATR. The doors opened around 7 p.m. on May 5th, and as I entered the main street leading to the venue, I was shocked that the usual parking lots were all full.
I've been to many shows at The Palladium and this was the first time a show was sold out and the parking was near nonexistent. Tons of kids were loitering around the venue's entrance hoping for a chance to purchase tickets. I'm certain the only happy person in the fray was the sausage vendor that is parked right outside the entrance.
To be frank, I missed the first two bands, safe for the end of the second band's set. No matter though, me and my entourage were in attendance to see ATR. We witnessed ATR at Locabazooka a few years back, but Phil LaBonte's microphone was broken. I was crushed, but his persistence to continue on made me more of a fan.
ATR played a great set, 40 minutes of pure metalcore at its finest. As an original fan, a la early albums Behind Silence and Solitude and This Darkened Heart, I was disappointed that nothing, outside of a couple cuts, was played.
The band played it safe and played songs off of the summer 2006 The Fall of Ideals. Only This Darkened Heart, For Salvation and Tattered on my Sleeve were tracks from the early stuff, before they became popular and the teens hanging at the mall caught on. In any case, the set was great. From The Fall of Ideals, the band played tracks such as This Calling, The Air That I Breathe and Not Alone. Most of the album's first half was played during the show, a smart move that kept the crowd singing.
Phil did his signature move, ripping off his t-shirt, to show his skinny frame built upon nipple piercings and a solid 6 pack. Often, Oli stole the show with his brilliant solos. The set was great.
After a short break, the ever popular U.K. metallers BFMV took the stage. The first words to come from lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Tuck's mouth was "I 'm high as anything." The crowd went nuts.
Considering the band is headlining after only one EP and one LP is a surprise. In contrast, ATR has released 3 LP's. Furthermore, BFMV are from Europe and ATR was playing in its home state. Either way, BFMV headlined the show and did well.
To be honest, BFMV was the reason most were in attendance. They found their niche and won't let go. They write emo/pop metal anthems that deal with the overused love and hate dealings. Break-ups, sex and teenage angst. 90 percent of the concert go-ers were under the age of 18. No joke.
A few weeks earlier, at the same venue, I was at the Metal For The Masses show with half as many people. It was 18 and over. The bars were packed. The mood was full of maturation and wisdom. This show featured the opposite. The bars were empty, safe for kids purchasing soda or water, the pit was a joke and pre-teen kids crawled through the show. I do give them credit for taking the path less chosen and follow metal. Their are many choices in our American Idol/ R&B/Rap generation, and I give em' credit for coming to the dark side.
In any case, BFMV played three cuts off their Hand of Blood EP: All These Things I Hate, Cries in Vain and Hand of Blood. The setlist also included most of their recent debut hits, including the chorus driven crowd pleasers ATTIH and Tears don't Fall. Other songs played that night included my favorite Suffocaing Under Words of Sorrow, and others such as Hit the Floor, Spit You Out and Room 409.
For me, the night's highlight occurred when Tuck stated the band was going to play a Metallica cover. I was stoked, but realizing the age of the crowd I expected recent Metallica junk. To my surprise, they covered the great track Creeping Death. Me and a few others knew the great hit from 1984, but everyone else was left scratching their heads. It was great. Despite the sell out crowd that left very little wiggle room, a laughable pit and the mallcore attendees, the show was badass. I heard some great cuts and witnessed young bands following in the footsteps of greatness. Despite the emo-ish vox at most times, the stellar guitar work made up for it. The easy access to the empty bar was a plus too. By 11:15, I was back in my truck with ATR blasting at an earth shattering volume.