May 17, 2025
Concert Review
By: Ben Lowman: Photographer/Writer
Bethlehem, PA was shook to its core when “The Poisoned Ascendancy” tour featuring classic co-headliners Bullet for My Valentine and Trivium with special guests August Burns Red and Bleed From Within. Wind Creek Event Center was blown away by this cacophony of metalcore, so much so that the nearby historical SteelStacks may have been shaking. Doors were open right around 5:30 pm as the fans prepared for the four incredible acts that awaited them. Nothing better than spending a Friday night at a casino filled with metalheads and people confused by metalheads.
Bleed From Within
Starting the night off was Scottish up and comers, Bleed From Within. Fresh off of their new album, “Zenith,” the band impressed the crowd even with the short amount of stage time they were given on this tour. Five songs to please their fans as well as create new ones. Opening and closing their set with songs of their new album and squeezing three of their classics in the middle was a perfect blend for an opening set. Fans were also blessed (or cursed, depending on who you ask) with a special guest appearance of Jake Luhrs from tourmates August Burns Red rocking a wig and a kilt during their song “Levitate.” This is not the first time I have seen Bleed From Within but they never disappoint. Seeing them in a venue as large as the Wind Creek Event Center was truly a treat. The band will certainly grow their fanbase because of this tour as they are a perfect addition to this tour.
Band Members:
Scott Kennedy – Vocals
Craig ‘Goonzi’ Gowans – Guitarist
Steven Jones – Guitarist
David Provan – Bassist
Ali Richardson – Drummer
SETLIST:
God Complex
Levitate
I Am Damnation
The End of All We Know
In Place Of Your Halo
August Burns Red
August Burns Red are a band with one of the most consistent discographies in the entire metalcore genre. To have them open for this tour is one of the best decisions that could have been made. With such an impressive discography, you may believe it to be difficult to create a good setlist with a 40 minute set. That is not the case here, for August Burns Red have crafted such an impressive set for this tour.
No vocalist continues to impress me as much as Jake Luhrs, he is what I can only describe as a force of nature. His presence is absolutely unmatched, as well as his vocal skills he has cultivated over the near 20 years he has been with August Burns Red. Whether it be swinging his microphone by the wires, sticking his tongue out, flexing his muscles, or delivering absolute caveman yells, Jake is a sight to behold. Seeing him be so into it effectively entices the crowd to get just as into the music. August Burns Red continue to be one of my favorite live bands in the genre as well as one of my favorite groups to photograph.
Band Members:
Jake Luhrs – Vocals
J.B. Brubaker – Guitarist
Brent Rambler – Guitarist
Dustin Davidson – Bassist
Matt Greiner – Drummer
SETLIST:
Chop Suey!(System of a Down cover)
Paramount
Composure
Defender
Bloodletter
Vengeance
Exhumed
Marianas Trench
White Washed
Trivium
The first of two headliners, Trivium, absolutely delivered with their full playthrough of their legendary album, “Ascendancy.” This set was a personal one for me, as I cherish this album dearly and it is one of the first albums that got me into the harsh style of vocals. I had talked to some fans in the venue prior to Trivium’s set, and they were buzzing from excitement to hear some of these songs that never see live play under normal circumstances.
Vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy has improved so much over the years in what I can only call an incredible comeback story. Diehard fans will know that Matt has previously been vulnerable with his fans on his struggles with vocal performance and mental health. With this tour, Matt is proving to himself and the thousands of fans gathered in Bethlehem that he is currently in his prime and he is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Band Members:
Matthew kiichichaos Heafy – Vocals/Guitarist
Corey Beaulieu – Guitarist
Paolo Gregoletto – Bassist
Alex Bent – Drummer
SETLIST:
The End of Everything
Rain
Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr
Drowned and Torn Asunder
Ascendancy
A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation(with Scott Kennedy)
Like Light to the Flies
Dying in Your Arms
The Deceived
Suffocating Sight
Departure
Declaration
Strife
Capsizing the Sea
In Waves
Bullet For My Valentine
Closing out this night of heaviness were Bullet For My Valentine, who need no introduction. Playing their debut album that propelled them to where they are now, fans were treated to “The Poison” in its entirety. The set opened with a compilation of the bands successes over their career, some scenes which may have pulled at the heartstrings of the fans that have been with them since their inception.
Being in the photo pit for the first three songs also meant that I had the privilege of being up close and personal for the performance their monster hit “Tears Don’t Fall.” As a casual fan myself, even I could not hold back singing along to this one while photographing the group. The energy from the band and the crowd was incredibly raw during this song, even though the band had stopped midway through so security could handle an unsavory crowd member. Matty jokingly asked the fans whether they should continue the song or skip over it, which was met by thunderous energy in favor of continuing. The band continued the rest of the set without any other major hiccups, and the fans were ravenous for this rare opportunity.
Band Members:
Matthew Tuck – Vocals/Guitar
Michael Paget – Guitarist
Jamie Mathias – Bassist
Jason Bowld – Drummer
SETLIST:
Intro
Her Voice Resides
4 Words (to Choke Upon)
Tears Don’t Fall(Song stopped midway because of a drunk guy)
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
The End
Encore:
Your Betrayal
Waking the Demon
In conclusion, “The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour” was an absolute masterclass blend of old school and new school metalcore acts. Brilliantly executed with impressive visual production, this was a night that fans will certainly remember for years to come. Hopefully the bands continue this recent trend of album playthroughs and treat their massive fans to shows revolving around other albums in their respective discographies.
Bullet For My Valentine:
Trivium:
August Burns Red:
Bleed From Within:
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