The iconic Glasgow Barrowlands, steeped in music history, hosted a night of sheer brutality and raw emotion as four powerhouse bands, As Everything Unfolds, Thornhill, Make Them Suffer, and Bury Tomorrow deliver unforgettable performances that shook the venue to its core. The last time I saw the Barrowlands have this much fun was back in 2017 when Anthrax filmed their Kings Among Scotland DVD.
As Everything Unfolds kicked off the night with an emotional and high energy performance, marking their first show back after the tragic loss of drummer Jamie Gowers. Opening a show at such a legendary venue is no small task, but the band rose to the occasion with a performance that proved their resilience and connection to their fans.
The crowd was still trickling in during their opening track, with a few loyal Scottish fans jumping around, but by the second song the energy in the room began to shift. Thunderous breakdowns and singalong choruses got heads banging across the venue, and by the third track the Barrowlands floor was alive with circle pits and the evening’s first crowd surfers.
Lead vocalist Charlie Rolfe shared a touching moment with the audience, telling them how her mother used to attend gigs at the Barrowlands and how special it was to now perform there, especially with her mum in the crowd. It was a heart-warming connection that brought extra meaning to their set. Midway through, Charlie acknowledged the difficulties the band had faced in recent months, thanking fans for their patience and support. It was a heartfelt moment, met with cheers of encouragement from the crowd.
Musically, the band were as tight as ever. The meaty intro of the fourth song had the audience and band feeding off each other’s energy, and fill in drummer Louis, who had impressively learned the set in a short time, performed flawlessly. Watching fans mouthing along to the lyrics even when they weren’t actually being sung, showed just how invested people were in the show.
This wasn’t my first time seeing As Everything Unfolds, I caught them in Zurich in the summer where they played on a much smaller stage. Whether they’re on an intimate stage or the grand scale of the Barrowlands, their energy remains constant and infectious.
By the final track, the Barrowlands crowd was fully on board and when Charlie pointed the mic out, everyone screamed the lyrics back at her.
As Everything Unfolds didn’t just open the night, they set the bar high for the rest of the evening. Their performance was a testament to their strength, passion, and the unbreakable connection they’ve built with their fans.
Afterwards I made my way down to the merch table which was already crowded with fans sporting the band’s gear and eager for more.
Thornhill took the stage as the second act of the night, their appearance immediately caught my attention. Each member looked like they could belong to a completely different band. The drummer bore a striking resemblance to Adam Ezegelian from American Idol, the bassist looked like Bailey Zimmerman, the guitarist, Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, and the singer somehow embodied the chaotic charm of Ed, Edd AND Eddy rolled into one. It was a visual mix that shouldn’t have worked, but did.
Their opening track set the tone with a unique nu-metal bounce with atmospheric sounds like Muse, Rage Against the Machine, and Deftones. The eclectic sound was unexpected, but by the third song, the crowd was fully invested. The energy in the room shifted as fans began to chant “Here we f***ing go!” with all the passion of a Glasgow crowd, fuelling the growing mosh pits and bursts of crowd surfing.
The singer’s vocal range was jaw-dropping, effortlessly transitioning from soaring highs to guttural growls that left the audience stunned. Their ability to blend hauntingly beautiful, lullaby-like bridges with crushingly heavy riffs was nothing short of mesmerising. “Where We Go When We Die” was a standout moment, with the entire crowd raising their hands and swaying in unison before being thrown into chaos by filthy, down tuned riffs and a blistering Tom Morello-style solo.
By the final track, Thornhill had the entire Barrowlands headbanging in perfect synchronisation. Their genre defying sound and magnetic stage presence made them one of the night’s most memorable acts. They left the audience with something fresh, exciting, and utterly unpredictable, a band that demands your attention and deserves to be on every fan’s radar.
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When Make Them Suffer hit the stage, it was clear they knew exactly what they were there to do, deliver an unforgettable performance. From the very first note, their energy was off the charts, instantly commanding the Barrowlands crowd and showcasing their immense talent.
The interplay between their male and female vocals was nothing short of stunning, with massive choruses and crushing breakdowns that made you want to punch your best mate in the face (in the best possible way). Each member of the band owned the stage, making full use of the front riser to connect with the audience. Their personalities shone brightly, and there was so much happening on stage it was hard to know where to look. Every single member was giving it their all and clearly loving every second of it.
Despite having just come off a gruelling 20-hour plane ride, the band didn’t miss a beat. At one point, the singer tried to introduce the band, but the crowd’s deafening “Here we f***ing go!” chant drowned him out. Clearly, the Barrowlands already knew who they were and wanted to make sure the band knew it too.
Their set featured tracks from their newly released self-titled album, and the crowd devoured every second. The first song from the new material showcased the female vocalist’s powerhouse abilities, with a chorus so massive it felt like it could tear the roof off the venue. For a band introducing fresh songs, the reception was remarkable, and it’s a testament to their ability to craft music that resonates immediately.
From start to finish, Make Them Suffer had the audience in the palm of their hands. Whether it was their relentless energy, their polished sound, or their undeniable stage presence, they delivered on every level. Their guitarist, in particular, was a highlight, his performance was so captivating I could have watched him play all night.
By the time the breakdowns in the final song sparked a massive wall of death, it was clear this band had won over everyone in the room. Personally, I’d never even heard of Make Them Suffer before tonight, but they’ve officially gained a fan. If this show is anything to go by, they’re a band I’ll be following closely from now on. What a performance, and what a band!
Bury Tomorrow, the headline act, made it clear from the start that this was going to be a spectacle. Their entrance began with a “system malfunction” style intro, complete with LED lights and screens projecting a high tech, dystopian vibe. Once the band appeared it was a full-on assault of sheer brutality, with six members commanding their two-tier stage.
The stage design was an impressive sight in itself. Elevated risers on either side held the drummer and percussionist, with room in between for another member to step forward and take the spotlight. The long vanity riser, shared with the previous bands, gave them ample space to engage with the crowd, and after every song, the members would rotate positions, keeping the energy dynamic and the performance visually engaging.
What truly set their set apart was their seamless blend of sonic intensity and visual theatrics. The LED screens and lighting elevated the show, but it was the music that stole the night. Daniel Winter-Bates delivered ferocious pig torturing squeals and guttural roars, while percussionist Tom Prendergast provided soaring melodic choruses that gave the songs their anthemic quality. Together, they balanced brutality with melody in a way few bands can.
The frontman, Daniel, was an unstoppable force, orchestrating both the band and the crowd like a seasoned conductor of chaos. At one point, he announced that this was the largest crowd they’d ever played to for a headline show in Glasgow, and he made it clear that everyone in attendance had “signed an agreement” to interact with the band. And the band to the audience. The crowd was fully engaged, chanting, cheering, and following every command, from crowd surfing to climbing on shoulders.
One particularly memorable moment was when the audience waved their phone torches side to side, not during a ballad as is typical, but to an upbeat song. It was an unconventional sight, but it fit perfectly with the night’s energy.
They also treated fans to their brand-new song “What If I Burn”, released that very day, with Daniel taking risen on the podium to perform it. The response was overwhelming, proving that even their freshest material could immediately resonate with their audience.
As their set neared its end, it was undeniable that Bury Tomorrow had put on a headline show that made a statement and are more than ready to headline bigger stages. For me, this was my first time seeing them live, and they exceeded every expectation. A ferocious, polished, and visually stunning performance that solidified their place as one of metalcore’s finest.
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Photos by Skull Lens Photography
