Live Review: Bullet For My Valentine & Trivium – The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour – Utilita Arena Cardiff

The Utilita Arena in Cardiff was the epicentre of modern metal on 27th January 2025 as Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium delivered a co-headline performance celebrating the enduring power of their landmark albums, The Poison and Ascendancy. With Swedish metallers Orbit Culture setting the stage, the night was a masterclass in heavy music.

Orbit Culture opened with a commanding set that showcased their blend of groove-laden riffs and atmospheric melodies. Tracks like Vultures of North and Saw demonstrated the band’s technical prowess and fierce energy. Frontman Niklas Karlsson’s growls echoed through the arena, igniting early mosh pits and setting the tone for the night ahead.

Trivium took the stage next, launching into Ascendancy with precision and intensity. Matt Heafy’s commanding presence and Corey Beaulieu’s blistering leads drove the crowd into a frenzy. Tracks like Rain and A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation highlighted the band’s balance of aggression and melody, while Dying in Your Arms provided a moment of sing-along catharsis. Closing with the monumental In Waves, Trivium left the stage triumphant, their set a testament to their enduring influence.

Bullet For My Valentine followed, delivering a triumphant hometown performance. Playing The Poison in its entirety, the Welsh metal legends had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Matt Tuck’s searing vocals and Michael Paget’s razor-sharp solos drove anthems like 4 Words (To Choke Upon) and Tears Don’t Fall to new heights. The audience’s energy was palpable, with circle pits erupting throughout the arena.

As the final notes of The End faded, Bullet returned for an explosive encore. Knives cut through the air with unrelenting force, followed by the ferocious Waking the Demon, sending the crowd into one last frenzy. The band’s return to their hometown stage was a triumphant celebration of their legacy.

This co-headline show was a night of metal perfection, with Orbit Culture, Trivium, and Bullet For My Valentine each showcasing their unique strengths. Cardiff bore witness to an unforgettable evening that honoured metal’s past, present, and future.