Years removed from the era when Black Veil Bride’s glam image drew as much attention as the music, the group now performs with the confidence of veterans who have already captured their audience and are moving forward. At their recent stop in Atlanta, that translated into a communal experience for fans of either era, and one already stoked by the exceptional supporting acts.
The visual presentation still matters, of course, but it’s more straightforward and honest. They clearly enjoy performing for their audience, and with a leader like Andy Biersack roaming back and forth across the stage, their contact and interaction with the crowd is off the charts. Biersack maintained an easy command of the room throughout the night, balancing the larger-than-life frontman presence with conversational moments that kept the performance grounded and personal. And, to be fair, it helps as his vocals were lost in the mix at times, not that it mattered for the familiar songs.
And to that point, you won’t find any deep cuts in the setlist, but the pacing is phenomenal weaving six songs off their album released that night, Vindicate, with established favorites that carry the energy through. It helps that the new ones are good especially if you like their heavier approach on this album. “Bleeders” is getting the attention, but “Revenger,” “Certainty” and the title track all felt strong enough live to suggest they might find a place in the set in future years.
And, the new songs also showcase Biersack’s amazing ability to instantaneously switch from a melodic baritone to raspy screams instantaneously. Underneath it all, the rhythm section provides the foundation that keeps the performance sharp, with rapid double-bass drumming, precise snare work, and bass lines locked tightly into the percussion. That leaves ample room for the riffs, solos and vocals to shine. It also doesn’t hurt with a very strong encore that ends with their banner song, “In the End.” Satisfying, that.
Black Veil Brides have always operated in emotionally heightened territory, and in a live setting that quality remains their greatest strength. The performance felt unapologetically earnest in a musical landscape that often rewards detachment or hostility. Judging by the audience reaction throughout the evening, sincerity remains a powerful thing when delivered with conviction.
Setlist:
Encore:
From Ashes to New immediately set a different tone with an aggressive blend of rap rock, nu metal, and modern hard rock that took the energy from the crowd and built it. The Pennsylvania band thrives on contrast, shifting between hip hop influenced verses, thick guitar riffs, electronic textures, and huge melodic choruses without losing momentum. Though not built on social media, they were appreciative for the recent boost they’ve received from actively promoting themselves on Tik-Tok and elsewhere, and they were stoked to play “Drag Me,” which recently ranked #1 on Billboard Mainstream Rock airplay list.
TX2 brought a more chaotic energy to the stage, mixing alternative rock, post-hardcore, and electronic elements. Frontman Evan Thomas leaned heavily into crowd interaction and emotional, and some may say emo, release, with songs centered on anxiety, alienation, and self identity. Even in a shorter opening set, they’re sharp onstage and, kneepads aside, Thomas is an active and capable frontman. The band rocked.
England’s As December Falls started the evening, happily touring in the U.S. for the first time. Their melodic pop punk was a great start to the evening, with enough crunch to lead into the heavier acts to follow. Vocalist Bethany Curtis gave the band an easy connection with the crowd, balancing polished vocal melodies with an engaging stage presence. Their upbeat pacing and constant movement onstage helped maintain the momentum of the night well before the headliners appeared. And, kudos to band that is happy to share that they’re nerds, love on-line gaming (and will beat you!) and talk pinkie swears. Wait, what?
