BURY TOMORROW are one of the most hardworking bands in metalcore, with a stacked release history of five albums in the last ten years, as well as beginning a new release cycle recently. Through this, they have gathered a faithful fan base, expectant of a wild atmosphere. Supplement that with being joined by a band in AUGUST BURNS RED of which they themselves are long-time fans, a sold-out night at Manchester’s O2 Ritz is set to be one to remember.
With barely an inch to move and the balcony bursting at the rafters, the suspense for what is to come is tangible as the room roars for the dropping of the lights. BURY TOMORROW surge the energy up beginning with Choke, “Open this place up, no f*cking around” screams vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates in his characteristic low gritty growl. Any inclination that these fans wouldn’t be up to the task is quickly uprooted, as crowd-surfers barrel over the barrier reaching for the commanding frontman and mosh pits eb and flow from the off. Providing an enthralling performance even when he himself is not singing and Tom Prendergast takes over the clean side of the vocals is a skill, and one with which Winter-Bates is clearly endowed. There is a definitive kinship between BURY TOMORROW and Manchester which appears devout. “This was the first show to sell out this entire tour, I’m not f*cking surprised. […] For tonight, this is our city.”
A perfect balance of leviathan riffs and anthemic singalong hooks is met, and the crowd match the bands input every step of the way, chanting “Oh Bury Tomorrow” to the tune of Seven Nation Army repeatedly through the night. They rattle through a set of hits old and new, with perhaps the biggest mosh pit of the night going to Man On Fire, in which guitarist Kris Dawson faces up Winter-Bates atop the riser trading riffs and vocal lines during the bridge. Soon after though there is a competitor to this, as a pit opens before Cannibal has even had the chance to begin. This crowd seem unwilling to allow any track to go unenthused, no wonder Dawson celebrates victoriously after most songs. They end the set with DEATH (Ever Colder), featuring shell-shocking drums that have become commonplace throughout the night, and multiple breakdowns that punch you to the core. BURY TOMORROW have laid a claim to be one of the best live bands in the country tonight and promise to return in the new year with more live shows and a new album, both of which will certainly be unmissable.
