The final show of the “The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour 2025” at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater on May 18, 2025, was a triumphant conclusion to a 26-date North American run. Co-headlined by Trivium and Bullet For My Valentine, with support from August Burns Red and Bleed From Within, the tour celebrated the 20th anniversaries of Trivium’s Ascendancy and Bullet For My Valentine’s The Poison. The tour spanned the U.S. and Canada, with performances in cities like Vancouver, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta, culminating in Raleigh.

Trivium, hailing from Orlando, Florida, comprises Matt Heafy (vocals/guitar), Corey Beaulieu (guitar), Paolo Gregoletto (bass), and Alex Bent (drums). Their discography includes ten studio albums, notably Ascendancy (2005), Shogun (2008), The Sin and the Sentence (2017), and In the Court of the Dragon (2021). The band has received accolades such as Kerrang!’s “Album of the Year” for Ascendancy and a Grammy nomination for “Betrayer” in 2019. During the tour, Trivium’s road crew notably rescued four kittens trapped in a diesel generator in Georgia, an act that garnered widespread praise and inspired merchandise ideas among fans. Their official website is trivium.org

Trivium

Bullet For My Valentine, from Bridgend, Wales, features Matt Tuck (vocals/guitar), Michael “Padge” Paget (lead guitar), Jamie Mathias (bass), and Jason Bowld (drums). Their debut album, The Poison (2005), achieved gold status and propelled them into the metal spotlight. Subsequent albums include Scream Aim Fire (2008), Fever (2010), and Gravity (2018). The band has been recognized with awards such as Kerrang!’s “Best British Band” and has performed at major festivals worldwide. Their official website is bulletformyvalentine.com

Bullet for My Valentine

August Burns Red, originating from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, consists of Jake Luhrs (vocals), JB Brubaker (lead guitar), Brent Rambler (rhythm guitar), Dustin Davidson (bass), and Matt Greiner (drums). Their discography includes albums like Messengers (2007), Constellations (2009), and Death Below (2023). Known for their technical proficiency and melodic metalcore sound, they have received Grammy nominations and are active in charitable efforts, including partnerships with organizations like HeartSupport. Their official website is augustburnsred.com

August Burns Red

Bleed From Within, a Scottish metalcore band from Glasgow, comprises Scott Kennedy (vocals), Ali Richardson (drums), Craig Gowans (lead guitar), Davie Provan (bass), and Steven Jones (rhythm guitar/clean vocals). Their albums include Humanity (2009), Uprising (2013), and Shrine (2022). They are known for their energetic performances and have toured extensively across Europe and North America. Their official website is bleedfromwithin.com

Bleed From Within

Trivium’s set featured a full rendition of Ascendancy, with Matt Heafy delivering vocals reminiscent of their early days. Bullet For My Valentine performed The Poison in its entirety, energizing the crowd with hits like “Tears Don’t Fall.” August Burns Red and Bleed From Within delivered powerful sets, showcasing their latest material and solidifying their places in the metalcore scene. The tour not only celebrated two landmark albums but also highlighted the enduring appeal and evolution of modern metal.