The early 2000s came calling this past Sunday as Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine, supported by Bleed From Within and August Burns Red, took the stage at the Great Canadian Casino in Toronto. Playing to a packed theatre venue, this heavy lineup was a call to arms for all metal heads – uniting fans for a night of nostalgia, camaraderie, and paying tribute to the bands that raised us on heavy music. Thousands of fans lined up at the door, eager for a night of chaos and reminiscence. This entire lineup offered a perfect fusion of metal-core and heavy metal, with a mix of fans from both genres. Some concert goers were there specifically for the openers, while others were counting the minutes until the headliners made their ultimate appearance. A lighthearted rivalry between different fan groups added to the fun energy of the evening.
Opening the show with force, Scotland’s Bleed From Within delivered a short but impactful five-song set that immediately got the crowd moving. Their groove-metal and melodic style was perfect for kick starting the pits and setting the tone for what was to come. Keeping the momentum high, August Burns Red hit the floor next as the hype continued. Metal-core veterans since the early 2000s, they’ve built a career on their consistently aggressive, yet technical sound. As one of the heavier acts of the night, they wasted no time in commanding the audience. The crowd gave it right back; moshing, thrashing, and screaming alongside Jake Luhrs, whose brutal vocals and commanding presence made their set one of the most intense of the evening. After a short intermission, the energy in the room shifted – the crowd had almost doubled in size and the mezzanine seats were full. When Bullet For My Valentine emerged, the cheers were deafening. It had been over seven years since the Welsh band last played Toronto, and they were clearly determined to make it count. 
This tour held special meaning for the band, marking the 20th anniversary of their debut album The Poison. A brief video montage of their early days opened the set, prompting a wave of nostalgia that swept through the arena. The moment the first guitar riff dropped, the pits erupted and the crowd answered with raised horns. Classics like “4 Words (To Choke Upon)”, “The Poison” and “Tears Don’t Fall” (which began with an acoustic intro overtaken by the audience’s voices) had the whole venue singing along. Near the end, Toronto was treated to a surprise as the band returned for an encore. Fans were anticipating “Knives” to close the set, based on the earlier tour stops so far, but instead, the iconic marching drums of “Your Betrayal” came through the speakers. It was the first time the track played on this tour, and the reaction was overwhelming. The pit exploded with renewed energy, proving the song’s status as a fan favourite.
The night reached its final peak as the stage transformed into a cinematic, almost eerie backdrop for Trivium’s arrival. With a large monster figure behind them, as seen on their Ascendancy album art. A legendary name in modern metal, the Florida-based band has earned global recognition for their fusion of melody, aggression, and technical prowess. Seeing them live is a masterclass in modern metal performance.Their set list spanned eras, with standout performances of “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr”, “Dying in Your Arms” and “In Waves” which closed the show with a powerful encore. At one point, the band playfully mentioned a classic Canadian rivalry by noting how wild Montreal had been – prompting boos from the Toronto crowd and igniting a wave of crowd surfing that lasted for the rest of the night. Many fans later remarked it was the most intense crowd energy they’d ever experienced. From start to finish, this show was a powerful reminder of what makes metal such a passionate and unifying force. 
As the tour winds down with just a few remaining U.S. dates, time is running out to see this line up in 2025 but make sure to check our local listings for more info on future shows. If you missed this unforgettable night in Toronto, or just want to relive it, check out our full photo gallery covering all the best moments just below. We highly recommend following all of the bands featured in this article on social media but most importantly the groups that made this all happen being Bullet For My Valentine @bfmvofficial and Trivium @TriviumBand.
Article & Photos By Claudia K (@ThinkTwicePhoto)
