On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Bayou Music Center in Houston was engulfed in a maelstrom of metal as Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine co-headlined "The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour." Celebrating the 20th anniversaries of their seminal albums, Trivium's Ascendancy and Bullet For My Valentine's The Poison. The evening was a testament to the enduring power of early 2000s metalcore. 

    Sylosis opened the evening with their signature blend of technical thrash and melodic death metal. Their set was a relentless barrage of intricate riffs and pounding rhythms, setting a high bar for the acts to follow. Being a British metal band, Sylosis is known for their ferocious blend of thrash metal, melodic death metal, and progressive elements. Hailing from Reading, England, the band was formed in 2000 and quickly gained attention for their technical precision, blistering riffs, and dark, atmospheric songwriting. 

    Fronted by Josh Middleton, a powerhouse vocalist and guitarist, Sylosis delivered music that balanced aggression with intricacy. Middleton’s riffs were complex and punishing, while his lyrics often explored themes of inner struggle, existential dread, and societal collapse. Their sound sits at the crossroads of classic Bay Area thrash, Scandinavian melodic death metal, and modern metalcore, pulling influence from bands like Metallica, At the Gates, and Death while forging a sound that’s distinctly their own.

    They're not just a band that melts your face, they make you think while they do it. Sylosis comprises the following members: Josh Middleton – lead guitar and vocals, Conor Marshall – rhythm guitar, Ben Thomas – bass and Ali Richardson – drums. This lineup reflects recent changes, with Conor Marshall transitioning from bass to rhythm guitar and Ben Thomas joining as the new bassist.

    August Burns Red took the stage next, delivering a performance that was both ferocious and precise. Their complex compositions and dynamic stage presence captivated the audience, leaving an indelible mark on the night's proceedings. A
powerhouse in the world of metalcore, August Burns Red lived up to being well known for their razor-sharp musicianship, genre-pushing compositions, and deeply emotional, often spiritual lyricism. Formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2003, the band has become a cornerstone of modern metalcore, earning critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase around the globe.

    At the heart of August Burns Red’s sound was their signature blend of technical guitar work, complex rhythms, and bone-crushing breakdowns. Guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler crafted intricate melodies and riffs that often defyed metalcore conventions, while drummer Matt Greiner brought a jazz-influenced precision to his relentless, dynamic percussion. Frontman Jake Luhrs delivered a passionate vocal performance, shifting from guttural screams to vulnerable spoken-word moments with raw intensity. This lineup has remained consistent since 2006, contributing to the band's cohesive sound and enduring presence in the metalcore scene.

    Lyrically, August Burns Red often touched on themes of personal struggle, hope, faith, and perseverance, offering a sense of catharsis and connection for the fans. Their music isn’t just heavy, it’s emotionally resonant, built to inspire as much as it is to mosh to.

    Being known for their powerful live shows, the band brought surgical precision to the stage without ever losing an ounce of energy or sincerity. Albums like Messengers, Constellations, and Rescue & Restore are considered genre-defining, while more recent work like Death Below shows the band continuing to evolve without compromising their core identity.

    Up next was Bullet For My Valentine. As co-headliners, Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium each delivered performances that paid homage to their landmark albums. Bullet For My Valentine performed The Poison in its entirety with tracks like "Tears Don't Fall" and "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" igniting sing-alongs, mosh pits and crowd surfing. Their set was a testament to the album's enduring appeal and the band's ability to connect with fans across generations.

    Bullet For My Valentine, a Welsh metalcore band, helped define the sound of 2000s and 2010s heavy music with their signature mix of melodic hooks, crushing riffs, and emotionally charged lyrics. Formed in Bridgend, Wales in 1998 (originally under the name Jeff Killed John), the band found international success after rebranding and releasing their explosive debut album, The Poison, in 2005.

    At the core of Bullet For My Valentine’s sound was their ability to fuse metalcore intensity with arena-ready melodies. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Tuck delivered soaring choruses, throat-shredding screams, and tight riff work, while guitarist Michael “Padge” Paget complemented the sound with shredding solos and harmonized leads. Their rhythm section brought the weight, grounding the band’s polished sound with raw, driving energy.

    Lyrically, the band explored themes of heartbreak, inner turmoil, betrayal, and resilience, connecting with the fans who see their songs as both cathartic and anthemic.

    On this night, Bullet For My Valentine delivered a tight, high-energy performances with a veteran confidence that reflected their status as one of the UK’s most successful modern metal exports. Bullet for My Valentine comprised the following members: Matthew "Matt" Tuck – lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Michael "Padge" Paget – lead guitar and backing vocals, Jamie Mathias – bass guitar and backing vocals and Jason Bowld – drums and percussion. This lineup has been consistent since 2017, contributing to the band's continued evolution and presence in the metal scene.

    From metalcore anthems to ballads that hit you in the gut, Bullet For My Valentine has carved out a permanent place in my heavy music landscape, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

    Trivium followed, performing Ascendancy in full. Frontman Matt Heafy's vocals were both powerful and emotive, particularly on tracks like "Departure," which he introduced with a heartfelt message to fans. The band's performance was a masterclass in modern metal, blending technical prowess with raw energy.

    Lyrically, the band dove into themes of war, mythology, personal struggle, and philosophy, often weaving storytelling and introspection into the songs. Their music is both cerebral and visceral, intellectually ambitious yet built to stir mosh pits and headbangs.

    Live, Trivium is a tour de force. Their performance was tight, passionate, and commanding, earning them a reputation as one of the most dependable live acts in modern metal. An American metal band Trivium has spent over two decades pushing the boundaries of modern heavy music. Formed in Orlando, Florida in 1999, They blended the aggression of thrash and metalcore with the technical precision of progressive metal which has earned them a reputation as one of the most versatile and consistently evolving bands in the genre.

    At the center of Trivium is Matt Heafy, a charismatic frontman whose dynamic vocal range moves effortlessly between melodic clean singing and ferocious growls. His guitar work, alongside that of fellow guitarist Corey Beaulieu, deliverd blistering riffs, harmonized leads, and face-melting solos that reflected the band’s deep roots in classic metal traditions.

    Trivium’s breakout came with the release of Ascendancy (2005), an album that became a cornerstone of 2000s metalcore and helped launch them into global recognition. From there, they’ve continuously evolved, with albums like Shogun, In Waves, The Sin and the Sentence, and In the Court of the Dragon showcasing their ability to shift between styles without losing their identity. Whether it's the anthemic choruses, complex time signatures, or crushing breakdowns, Trivium keeps their sound fresh while always sounding unmistakably like themselves.

    Trivium's lineup consisted of: Matt Heafy – lead vocals and guitars, Corey Beaulieu – guitars and unclean backing vocals, Paolo Gregoletto – bass and clean backing vocals and Alex Bent – drums and percussion. This lineup has remained stable since 2016, contributing to Trivium's consistent evolution and dynamic presence in the metal scene.

    In short, Trivium isn’t just a band, they’re a cornerstone of 21st-century metal, bridging old-school influences with forward-thinking execution. Whether you're a purist or a newcomer, there's something in their discography to grab you and not let go.

    The Bayou Music Center's acoustics and lighting enhanced the experience, immersing the audience in a sensory feast. The crowd, a diverse mix of longtime fans and newcomers, responded with unbridled enthusiasm, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration.

    In sum, "The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour" stop in Houston was more than a concert; it was a communal experience that honored the past while embracing the present. Each band brought their unique strengths to the stage, culminating in a night that attendees will remember for years to come.

Trivium Setlist:
The End of Everything (song from tape)
Rain
Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr
Drowned and Torn Asunder
Ascendancy
A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation
Like Light to the Flies
Dying in Your Arms
The Deceived
Suffocating Sight
Departure
Declaration
Encore:
Capsizing the Sea (song from tape)
In Waves

Bullet For My Valentine Setlist:
"The Poison" Intro (song from tape)
Her Voice Resides
4 Words (to Choke Upon)
Tears Don't Fall
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:
Knives
Waking the Demon

August Burns Red Setlist:
Chop Suey! (System of a Down cover) (Partially on tape)
Paramount
Composure
Defender
Bloodletter
Vengeance
Exhumed
Marianas Trench
White Washed

Sylosis Setlist:
Poison for the Lost
Pariahs
Worship Decay
Empty Prophets
Deadwood