SAN FRANCISCO — The hallowed Fillmore was transformed into an avant-goth headbangers’ ball Thursday as Black Veil Brides opened their Bleeders tour alongside a trio of heavy acts. The show brought the large crowd up close with their hard rock heroes, but this was no stripped-down performance. The stage pulled from the world of “Sweeney Todd,” replicating an old-timey back alley lined with candle-lit windows, while two large barrels flanked the stage. A large drum riser with metallic mic stand arms shot up from the center of the stage.

Andy Biersack and company delivered a mix of hits, rarities and a few debuts along the way. After a cinematic, orchestral build-up, the band took the stage and opened with the hard-driving “I Am Bulletproof.” The show was expertly paced, and little time was left for much beyond the music. Biersack brought an infectious energy, making it a point to get attendees involved. He didn’t talk much between songs as the band rolled through “Heart of Fire” and “Rebel Love Song,” before really getting the crowd to sing along on the anthemic “Wake Up.”

“We just released a new song just about an hour or so ago,” Biersack teased as the band debuted “Bleeders.”

It was a significant day all around for Black Veil Brides: a new single, a new tour and a new partnership with Spinefarm to release its next EP, Bleeders, in June.

“You guys should really go check out the video after this show. I kill a bunch of people; it’s really crazy,” Biersack said. “Hopefully, it’s still on YouTube.”

The Bleeders tour also offered an opportunity for the band and fans to give back through a partnership. The band is jumping on with the American Red Cross to encourage fans to be bleeders themselves—by donating blood. Earlier this week, the effort had racked up some 1,500 pints of blood.

Despite the arena-sized lighting and staging, it was really all about the performance. The band was tight, and Biersack harnessed both a vocal prowess and a charismatic presence. The band mixed in a pair of tracks from 2021’s The Phantom Tomorrow, “Scarlett Cross” and “Blackbird,” before throwing another curveball.

“I don’t think we’ve played this next song in about 13 years,” Biersack said as they launched into the heavy “New Religion,” which got fans banging their heads.

Guitarist Jinxx (Jeremy Miles Ferguson) donned a top hat and stood at the piano for a somber intro to “Resurrect the Sun” before the rest of the band entered. Jinxx and guitarist Jake Pitts offered up a dueling guitar solo more than once, adding texture to the heaviness. Bassist Lonny Eagleton held down the low end and backing vocals.

Drummer Christian “CC” Coma briefly turned the Fillmore into a dance club during his spirited solo. It began as a more traditional solo but took a turn when Coma strutted to the front of the stage and pretended to play a horn (a bottle of alcohol) to Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco.”

Once back at the drums, he banged out an electronic beat along with “Narco” that kept fans jumping. That segued right into “The Legacy,” before the band unleashed two of its most beloved songs, “Knives and Pens” and “Perfect Weapon.”

“This song is so old I’m not even going to tell you what it is,” Biersack said.

After an encore break, the band returned to the stage with yet another surprise.

“What do you say we play another one we’ve never played before?” Biersack asked before the band moved into “Saviour II.” The show closed out with a one-two punch of “Fallen Angels” and “In the End.”

While Black Veil Brides had the polish and the experience, a trio of opening bands brought their own personality and spin on heavy music. The night felt like Warped Tour with all three performing quick sets of under 30 minutes.

“San Francisco, I need you on your worst behavior,” vocalist Anthony Martinez of Dark Divine said.

Flanked by a pair of guitarists, both with faces painted white, one with a sparkling purple suit that gave off a Joker vibe. Despite a quick hiccup for a sound issue at the outset, the band came out of the gates firing with “Deadly Fun” and “Gravedigger.”

“We have not played a show in 14 months, and it feels so great to start here in San Francisco,” Martinez said.

The band managed to volley its style, adeptly moving from screamo to metal and melodic hard rock throughout the set. Phone lights shot upward for “Cold,” the band’s best moment of the set, with the track buoyed by lights waving back and forth. Dark Divine closed out with “Halloweentown.”

Former Electric Callboy frontman Sebastian “Sushi” Biesler brought his new project Ghøstkid along, with this run also marking special significance.

“This is the first time for us ever in the United States and we’re so excited,” the German frontman said.

Ghøstkid’s sound leaned on the heavier side, mixing in elements of industrial, nu-metal and hardcore. The set included tracks like “DAHLIA” and “SUPERNOVA,” with Biesler delivering everything with an impressive scream.

Opening up the night was another European band, Creeper from the U.K. Frontman Will Gould brought an interesting combination of influences, from Gerard Way to Davey Havok; maybe even some Billy Idol. Call it goth-glam, maybe. Gould knew the mission was to warm up the crowd, and he did it adeptly.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald. Follow photographer Onome Uyovbievbo at Twitter.com/byonome and Instagram.com/by.onome.