Review Summary: New kids on the Block "Bullet" Digest old school influnces Metallica/ Iron Maiden creating metal/hardcore sounds for the new era.
“Bullet for my valentines” first full release “The poison” is a fist pumping, adrenaline driving riff-fest from one of the best (and youngest) metal/ hardcore bands in the business. Originally from Wales (would you believe it) Bullet have their roots in the same area as defiantly Welsh rockers Funeral for a friend and Lost prophets. However make no assumptions between Bullet and more mainstream prodigies “Funeral…” Bullets overall sound is more Akin to American Trivium or Atreyu just ***loads better. The poison is owned and made by sublime ballbustingly fat riffage allowing one to clearly cite influences such as Metallica and Iron Maiden being brought to new levels in the hardcore scene.
Formed from the ashes of “JeffkilledJohn” Bullet have traveled down the hard road on their path to acceptance and appreciation in the metal world. Their previous bassist quit two days before they were due to begin recording, “it was a big kick in the balls but it made us stronger” notes guitarist/singer/ frontman Matt Tuck. Ultimately after re grouping under the name of Bullet for my Valentine the foursome would begin to play whatever they wanted apposed to trying to manufacture a sound audiences wanted to hear.
“The poison” begins with an ominous, eerie intro possibly paying tribute to Atreyu’s “The remembrance ballad” before blasting into the mind blowing “her voice resides”. Vocalisms are equally shared and screamed between guitarist Matt Tucker and Micheal Padget throughout the album, while Bassist Jason James provides backing vocals. Overall the Album is easy to digest, the twin guitarists work in perfect harmony throughout “The poison” specifically on my personal album highlight “4 words to choke upon” where Tucker spits in the face of his critics “Look at me now!!!!”.
One aspect which separates Bullet from other contemporary hard core band is their ability to not go stale mid way through the album, there is no strict formula to their style changing riffs, keys and timing throughout songs, while cohesively flowing and remaining heavy to their dark metalic souls. Further highlights is the bands ability to use subtly, such as in the ambitious “All these things I hate revolve around me” beginning acoustically in 68 timing contrasting with the latter dueling electric guitars. “Spit you out” is recorded live, proving these guys can tear it up live and in the studio, however you wouldn’t know it save for the breakdown where one can hear the audience’s cheers, these guys are just so ***ing tight!
Lyrically the album is about the *** the band has dragged themselves through such as suicide “10 years today” and broken relationships “hand of blood” It must be noted that in the hands of a lesser band Tuckers lyrics could come off as dare I say it Emo (“Lord you know I’ve cried a thousand tears tonight”) however screamed and encased around double kicks, exploding riffs, and ever changing tempos Bullet can competently distance themselves from the E word.
I dig this Cd, it ***ing rocks, with “The poison” Bullet finds themselves split between the metal and hardcore genre. Sadly because these guys are mainstream it’s beginning to take some of their cred, I say Kudos to them it shouldn’t take away from their style. Its hard to comprehend this is the bands first full released album; however it’s easy to see why theses guys are touring throughout Europe and supporting other metal acts such as Chimaira. This Cd’s been out for about a year now so it’s easily accessible if you’re a fan check out the soon to be released live DVD.
