It’s absolutely rammed in the CIA this evening to see Scottish rock heroes Biffy Clyro live, and that’s no surprise for arguably one of the best British bands of this millennium… but a bit more on that later. Opening up tonight are UK metalcore stars Architects, whose job – despite having headlined here back in May – is “to warm you the fuck up,” in the words of their frontman, Sam Carter. And warm us up they do, weaving their way through a heavy and tight set that includes the likes of Little Wonder, Doomsday, and When We Were Young.

The main event, though, is still to come. Opening with a triple threat of DumDum, A Hunger In Your Haunt, and Tiny Indoor Fireworks, Biffy have come to take no prisoners. “Good evening Cardiff! We are Biffy fucking Clyro, let’s hear you in the house tonight!” yells frontman Simon Neil over the intro of Who’s Got A Match?. A blistering live performance of That Golden Rule comes along a few songs later, marking the first appearance of two guest violinists. 

It’s utterly ridiculous just how many bangers Biffy have got now, and they’re seemingly desperate to squeeze them in tonight in this arena rock show. The likes of Black Chandelier, Biblical, 57, Mountains and so many more get aired this evening to a baying crowd. Machines is, of course, one of the highlights of the night: Neil atop one pillar, his acoustic guitar accompanied by violins and drummer Ben Johnston on backing vocals.

Ending the main set with The Captain (which was curiously absent from their big Cardiff Bay gig last year), the traditional chants of “‘Mon the Biff!” are heard, beckoning the band back to the stage for a five-song encore. Starting with an acoustic version of God & Satan before the rest of the band return for Opposite, things are off to a good start. They only get better when Glitter & Trauma is aired, preceding a blazing version of Bubbles.

Saving the best until last, however, the band finish the show with a chill-inducing performance of Many Of Horror. Nine studio albums in, not many bands can produce an incredible live performance, but Biffy Clyro do so effortlessly. ‘Mon the Biff, indeed. 

Biffy Clyro, Cardiff International Arena, Mon 14 Nov

words JOSHUA WILLIAMS photos JASPER WILKINS