Bullet For My Valentine have been marking WalesÔÇÖ place on the heavy metal map of the UK for some years now, a show at CardiffÔÇÖs Motorpoint Arena seeming an appropriate finish to the Bridgend bandÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRule BritanniaÔÇÖ arena tour. But after FebruaryÔÇÖs disappointingly received ÔÇÿTemper TemperÔÇÖ, would Bullet be firing blanks in the live environment?

First on are Buckinghamshire-based melodic rockers Young Guns, who from the looks of things didnÔÇÖt get the message they werenÔÇÖt the eveningÔÇÖs headline act. Accompanied by their illuminated logos and displaying an energetic rock star attitude that never comes across as forced, this band is one to watch rise into rockÔÇÖs mainstream. YorkshireÔÇÖs Asking Alexandria come next, lead vocalist Danny WorsnopÔÇÖs stage presence being perhaps too ÔÇÿAmerican metalÔÇÖ to be on a tour representing British bands, but making full use of their equally customised stage and with a clear sense of charisma, they leave the crowd wondering how the headliners are going to compare.

Stepping onstage with sunglasses on and a much shorter haircut than in recent years, Bullet For My Valentine frontman Matt Tuck appears to have more in common with the ÔÇÿbad boyÔÇÖ image of Robbie Williams than the menacing appearance of ÔÇÿReign in BloodÔÇÖ-era Slayer. But as soon as they open with new single ÔÇÿRaising HellÔÇÖ, make no mistake; tonightÔÇÖs show is more ÔÇÿAngel of DeathÔÇÖ than ÔÇÿAngelsÔÇÖ. ÔÇ£Smoke is blinding! Hearts are pounding! Chaos soon ignitesÔÇØ Tuck convincingly spits in a ferociously delivered ÔÇÿScream, Aim, FireÔÇÖ, giving way to a venomous ÔÇÿ4 Words (To Choke Upon)ÔÇÖ, the lyrics ÔÇ£look at me nowÔÇØ announced with great pride at this arena-level stage of the bandÔÇÖs career. The tourÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRule BritanniaÔÇÖ name is lived up to with guitarist Michael Paget featuring the patriotic tune in his solo, a union jack backdrop and a cover of British greats MotorheadÔÇÖs ÔÇÿAce of SpadesÔÇÖ. There is not a great deal of ÔÇÿTemper TemperÔÇÖ material – as if to suggest the band themselves thought the album was a slight misfire – but pyrotechnics galore, ticker tape, a disco ball and an appearance from the lead singerÔÇÖs mother (tonight celebrating both her 60^th birthday and 30^th wedding anniversary) are the finishing touches on a very polished show by one of BritainÔÇÖs biggest metal bands since Iron Maiden. Ending with thousands of fans singing along to Tom JonesÔÇÖ ÔÇÿDelilahÔÇÖ makes for a brilliant homecoming for one of Welsh rockÔÇÖs biggest and most endearing acts.