As the dust settles from Bring Me The Horizon's last show in Australia, we can't help but reflect on Nex Gen Down Under, and the cathartic release it brought for many of us, who have been counting down the days until this tour hit from the second it was announced.With an incomparable lineup consisting of Sleep Token, Make Them Suffer and DAINE, it was destined to be one of the best tours the band has ever had in Australia, and it certainly lived up to expectations - especially after witnessing all 7 shows on the East Coast + Adelaide run.I love the band so much because their catchy and relatable songs translate live in such a way that they’re the instigator for my current passions in life. It’s because of BMTH that I have a passion for music, because I want to chase the feeling of catharsis I experience with their songs. Whether via an audio stream or among a crowd of thousands of people, that emotion is unmatched.Before this tour becomes a memory, we've collated 13 Mind-Melting Moments from the run - including the metalcore madness that ensured when 21,000 fans attended the first SOLD OUT Qudos Bank Arena show proving heavy metal is not only on the rise, but because of bands like BMTH, it's bordering on mainstream appeal again.
#13 - POST HUMAN: NEX GEN Confirmed to be finished.
BMTH wiped their socials and confirmed the next era had arrived with their new album POST HUMAN: Nex Gen officially being announced as completed. While we still don't have an updated release date (still tentatively December 25th on their website), it won't be long now until tracks like 'DiE4u', 'sTraNgeRs', 'LosT', 'AmEN!', 'DArkSide' and 'Kool-Aid' have a home on a full length.https://www.instagram.com/p/C5lbmJgio76/?hl=en
#12 - Make Them Suffer LIVE debut of 'Epitaph'
Having only just released the song the week of the tour, Make Them Suffer eased their latest single 'Epitaph' into the setlist and it sounded like it belonged there since day one. If you haven't had AlexReade's voice in your head singing "They came in chariots / To come and carry us" for the past week, you didn't listen well enough.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Of9aA2pFrE
#10 - Oli jumped on stage with DAINE for 'Salt' for one night only
In a surprise that took everyone by storm, OliSykes joined DAINE on stage during her set on Night 1 in Melbourne for a live collaboration of their song 'Salt'. Not only was it unexpected, but it proved it pays off to get to the shows early for the opening act, because you never know who will show up.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WiJOESIW6kc
#9 - John Jones & Joey Black: An Honourable Nod to the Unspoken Members
Following the departure of JordanFish last year, many of us wondered how the dynamics in the live show would change, and it's safe to say they were not only matched, but exceeded in some cases thanks to JohnJones. The band's official touring member (since 2014) stepped up to his fancy microphone stand and nailed his cleans and screams alongside Oli. JoeyBlack, filled in like an actual clone of LeeMalia on guitar duties while he was at home on Dad Duties after welcoming the newest member of the BMTH family to the world.[gallery columns="2" type="rectangular" ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bring-Me-The-Horizon-43.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bring-Me-The-Horizon-61.jpg|"]
#8 - The Nex Gen Stage Production and Immersive Eve Narrative
During their interview with Triple J, Oli stated he didn't want anyone to be bored during their show, and that's why there was something always going on. And he wasn't wrong. From the LED screens creating a visually breathtaking experience within the Church of Genexsis, through to Eve's rolling commentary during the show, it felt like we were properly immersed in the entire experience from the get-go.Personally, I loved the Eve narrative as the Church of Genexsis was destroyed by Project Angeldust, who was repurposed like a tool for the future of Nex Gen - keep your ears peeled throughout their new album as Eve has now become an integral part of the upcoming release.https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5lRXr7yFq2/
#7 - Sleep Token's first rituals for 2024
News spread all around the world when SleepToken played their first shows of 2024 in Australia. Worshippers rejoiced as we got a glance of their potential headlining future and swooned hard in the process - the only way they can return is if they're playing the same size shows as hype continues to build.[gallery type="square" columns="2" ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sleep-Token-13.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sleep-Token-32.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sleep-Token-26.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sleep-Token-18.jpg|"]
#6 - Fans from all walks of life - from the OG Deathcore Demons to New-Age Alt Scene Kids.
Bring Me The Horizon’s large discography and multiple eras and genres, has proven welcoming to all kinds of audiences. The Count Your Blessings OG deathcore fans turned up and received a cheeky nod during one show (more on that soon). Some of these fans are parents now and are exposing the next gen to what BMTH have to offer.I was able to meet some families who were bringing their children to their first gigs, and some of them were singing along to every song! The new-age alt-metal fans were out in force, whether it was those infatuated by the mysterious SleepToken or the fans who were keen to discover something new in Make Them Suffer.Most importantly everyone was welcome, and it’s hard to imagine any fan of music not enjoying at least some aspect of this tour.https://www.instagram.com/p/C54cBSghlGh/?hl=en
#5 - BMTH in the Rain - A 4th Dimension Experience
Outside at Brisbane's Riverstage provided an experience unlike any of the other shows I attended. It was raining and the visuals on stage reflected that too - which made us feel like we were literally in the Church of Genexsis. Nothing will compare to hearing the breakdown of 'Parasite Eve' and other tracks hit as the heavens opened and it started bucketing down.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/C_P-mZfqJXE
#4 - Make Them Suffer EXPLODED on huge stages
This tour was made for Make Them Suffer - who cracked 1 Million monthly listeners on Spotify not long after their final set was played. They were built for the bigger stages and utilised every square inch of it to deliver their best performances to date - so much so they even copped a shout out from Oli on his Instagram Stories and on stage when he told fans 'they're going to be fookin' huge'.They're currently touring internationally for the next three months but hinted they'll be back for a big trip across the country when they return. You better be there - chariots and all.https://www.instagram.com/p/C6BCDWLyuE4/?hl=en
#3 - The 'Antivist' Guesties feat. IV (Sleep Token), J-Figure (The Weight of Silence) and fan, Charlie.
Who doesn't love a surprise guestie spot!? On this tour we were treated to a variety of guest vocals with everyone from fans like Charlie, upcoming vocalists like J-Figure of Sydney-based metal outfit The Weight of Silence, all the way through to IV from SleepToken sharing vocal duties with Oli on 'Antivist'.It just made us scream "MIDDLE FINGERS UP, IF YOU DON'T GIVE A FUCK" even louder than usual.https://www.instagram.com/p/C5_PoSahMTf/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/p/C5lKIwUBtBb/?hl=en
#2 - Oli's Stage Presence and 'Drown' fancam with the Crowd
We knew Oli was going to have us mesmerised from start to finish and he excelled in his mission to keep us entertained. From his on-stage banter and total Brit accent, through to the jokes that made us all laugh together - e.g. when he screamed "This next song is called 'Pray for Plagues'" before actually launching into 'Throne' - he lived up to expectations of being our generation's leading performer.Each night when he grabbed the fancam and made his way to the front of the barrier to sing with fans, proved no matter how big this band gets, there's always time to connect with fans mid-show - many hardcore fans like myself camped out for entire days to score spots at the front and it made it all the more worth the waiting.https://www.instagram.com/p/C6CnOYlhci_/?hl=en
#1 - 'DIAMONDS AREN'T FOREVER' // Suicide Season-Era Recognised.
Having spoken to stacks of fellow fans during the run, it came to my attention that many long-term BMTH fans date way back before I jumped on the bandwagon and to hear the deafening screams when they whipped out Suicide Season track 'Diamonds Aren't Forever' proved just how long their legacy has lived.Never in my life did I think they would throwback to the era that truly kick-started their global domination and from what we experienced, the true fans haven't forgotten either.From where they've come to where they are now, there's no denying Bring Me The Horizon are a completely different beast, but by tipping the hat to their past, it not only acknowledges the day one fans, but introduces the new kids to their heavier, more brutal back catalogue.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rROOkIaj2vMIn closing, the Nex Gen Down Under Tour was one for the history books. BMTH have not only stepped the fuck up with their stage shows, but set the bar for immersive experiences at concerts. It's going to be hard to top this tour - especially with the support acts in tow - but if any band can beat their previous records, it's Bring Me The Fookin' Horizon.Words by Tyler Lubke.
