BRING ME THE HORIZON

KOKO, LONDON

07.05.2013

Words: Jenny Chu

5/5

Bring Me The Horizon grace magazine front covers, they have four irresistible albums and bare global chart success. Yet these big dogs have chosen a venue that barely holds just over a thousand of their fans. Ironically they sold 27 times that in record sales of ‘Sempiternal’ in the first week of its release in the States. After their jaw-dropping, head turning, should-have-been-headlining set at Warped Tour UK late last year the obvious choice and next step for them surely would be arena domination right? Wrong. This tour has gates (the electronic sort) that only open to the most devoted, passionate and keen BMTH followers. Why? Because tonight the Steel City champs scratch at the surface of old material like Chelsea Smile and Diamonds Aren’t Forever, laughing hysterically in the faces of those who ever said BMTH “sold out”.

Up until now, frontman Oli Sykes may have seemed somewhat lost amongst the attention he continued to receive throughout the years. Yet the star who has grown up in the eyes of his fans and archenemies has come through as one of Britain’s most successful frontman’s. The man himself falls to his knees, begging for mosh pits as choruses drop. But that’s nothing compared to Alligator Blood, a key moment that sees Oli performing with a spring in his step. But that soon changes when ‘Sempiternal’ is given the real opportunity to showcase some of its greatest assets. The album is packed full of intense guitar riffs, swarming drum beats and latest addition; Jordan Fish’s added touch of sycophantic programming. Tonight’s show is all about that coming alive.

Oli spends over half his time lying on the floor screaming out some of the band’s most monumental lyrics including Blessed With A Curse’s outro “Take back every word I've said, ever said to you.” Whilst Go To Hell, For Heaven’s Sake and The House Of Wolves leaves the 26 year old drained and see’s Jordan keeping the corner of the stage sparking with his synths giving a real boost of electricity throughout.  

Taking a step back in time with It Never Ends, Oli instructs the audience to hi-five him before igniting the chorus. Introducing the ever explosive Empire as “this song is about relapse” before taking a moment to thank everyone in attendance, tonight was evidence of a clean slate and to see Mr Syke’s true colours amongst a band that have added more fuel to the fire, burning down any demons along the way. Bassist Matt Kean wonders off stage to explore the sights of the bar and balcony during Antivist whilst Oli braves the audience, telling them “If you break a bone you won’t have to go to school tomorrow”. Closing song Sleepwalking begins to stir up the most savage of pits, sending those gates clean off their hinges.