BRING ME THE HORIZON @ The Rave / Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI

May 8, 2019

Review by David Urmanski
Photos by David Urmanski

BAND MEMBERS: BRING ME THE HORIZON

Oliver Sykes – Vocals
Lee Malia – Guitar
Matt Kean – Bass
Matthew Nicholls – Drums
Jordan Fish – Programming & Keys

www.Facebook.com/BMTHOfficial

British rock band Bring Me the Horizon, often abbreviated as BMTH, expelled musical majestry at the spectacular Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee Wednesday evening in support of their 2019 album “Amo”. Opening with 2019 Grammy Award nominated Best Rock Song “Mantra”, the band wasted absolutely no time getting the crowd energized for what would turn out to be a night of music encompassing the perfect blend of softness and heavy aggression making it easy for everyone in the jam-packed ballroom to get off their feet and jump along with clenched fist.

Next up came “The House of Wolves” which exemplifies the definition of a pit-starting song with emotionally loaded lyrics. This arrangement tackles the issues of God and religion and the opinion frontman, Oliver Sykes, holds that people should strive to be better for themselves as their is no true salvation. “Sleepwalking” also made the setlist mixing a melodic tone with emotionally charged lyrics inspired by Sykes past addiction and stint in rehab followed by one of the band’s more aggressive songs “Diamonds Aren’t Forever” represented by heavy screaming and high speed metal riffs written about living life to the fullest and refusing to give into society.

A Bring Me the Horizon show would not be complete without performing one of the most catchiest songs by the band to date “Drown” which symbolizes a plea for someone to help lift the weight of life off of your shoulders and ending with encores “Can You Feel My Heart” and “Throne” which marked a turning point for the band as they shifted from their earlier metalcore style to a more electronica-based sound. “Throne” was their first release to reach the top spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart accompanied by a music video that borrowed dramatic influences from the pop culture drama series Game of Thrones.

When it was all said and done, the Wisconsin fans prevailed and the band succeeded in achieving their goal of making the heaviest and catchiest music possible as what various journalists have credited as being one of the most forward-thinking heavy bands in the UK. Despite the band’s occasional controversy, which has accompanied rock n’ roll since its inception, Bring Me the Horizon proves to be a force to be reckoned with and their latest album “Amo”, released in January of this year, is a solid concoction of electronic music, pop, rock and metal wrapped in a single package which can easily be enjoyed by anyone who fancies any of these genres.

SETLIST:
Mantra
The House of Wolves
Medicine
Wonderful Life
Shadow Moses
Mother Tongue
Happy Song
Sleepwalking
Diamonds Aren’t Forever
Follow You
Nihilist Blues
Antivist
Drown

ENCORE:
Can You Feel My Heart
Throne

CONCERT REVIEW RATING SCALE:
1 = Poor
2 = Average
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
5 = Extraordinary

BRING ME THE HORIZON Concert Rating: 5

THE VENUE:  THE RAVE
The Rave is a premiere multi-level, multi-venue, entertainment complex conveniently located off highway 94 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin hosting hundreds of concerts each year. The Rave/Eagles Club houses seven venues (The Eagles Ballroom, The Rave, The Eagles Ballroom Club Stage, The Eagles Penthouse Lounge, The Eagles Hall, The Rave Bar, and The Rave Craft Beer Lounge) ranging in capacity from 400 to 4000 people.

The Rave/Eagles Club is highlighted by the spectacular Eagles Ballroom featuring an elegant 25,000 square foot dance floor and a stunning balcony that circles the ballroom. From the elegant domed ceiling to the eagle sculptures and intricate trim on the pillars, a concert at the Eagles Ballroom is a truly spectacular experience.  Over the past decades, The Rave/Eagles Club has hosted some of the biggest names in rock, pop, electronic, and alternative music as well as many up and coming acts and regional bands from Wisconsin, Illinois and surrounding areas.

Address:  2401 West Wisconsin Avenue - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233

Phone:  (414) 342-7283

Website:  www.TheRave.com

  
www.Facebook.com/TheRave


Upcoming Concerts & Tickets:  www.TheRave.com/Concert_Tickets

Hours:  The Rave box office is open 10am to 6pm Monday thru Friday and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday if there is a show. The box office remains open until 10pm on show nights.