Review Summary: Black Veil Brides look to the past to forge an entirely new sound for the future.
"So Let The Hate Rain Down" Croons frontman Andy Biersack on "The Vengeance" and hate has certainly rained down on the 5 piece Glam Revival suit from Hollywood, California.
Black Veil Brides have officially been together (more or less, give or take a few line-up changes) since 2010, releasing 5 Studio albums, a live DVD, and 2 eps - That is an impressive feat for any Band, let alone one that has faced as much aversion as The Brides.
In November 2019 BVB released a surprise 2 song EP completely out of the blue, titled "The Night". The EP is, despite it's short length, the best thing the band has done since their 2013 magnum opus “Wretched and Divine”, with an emphasis on the bands earlier heavier sound laced with the stellar guitar work and huge hooks the fans of the band adore.
Track 1; Saint’s of the Blood
Saint’s of the Blood really took me by surprise, after 2018’s “Vale” BVB’s music really pointed towards an even poppier, polished sound - but here we have the Heaviest song by the band full stop. The shredding riff doesn’t open the gate to the EP, rather it smashes it in. What follows is some of the most impressive guitar work from Lead Guitarist Jake Pitts and Andy Biersack’s reinvigorated confident vocals, yet another Jewel in the golden crown of Black Veil Bride’s Hard rock Anthems.
Track 2; The Vengeance
Track 2 is less surprising, but no less stellar in quality than the first. The Vengeance sounds more like Traditional Black veil Brides, A very much modern Take on Glam metal with a huge chorus and lyrics which appear to address the band’s very vocal detractors “you don’t know me, and it’s not your time, turn around and get in line”. On this track, while the instrumentation is more simple and laid back than the first, Andy’s eternal charisma oozes through an absolutely solid Vocal performance, and is my personal favourite of the EP.
So Here we have it folks, the new and improved yet same old Black Veil Brides, which in itself is going to ruffle the same old feathers or delight the same old faithful. I understand that Guitarist Jake Pitts Produced and Mixed the EP, which is of course a nice touch - it’s nice to see a hands on approach, and here he has done a great job of catching the bands dynamics.
My takeaway from this was excitement, Excitement as a fan for the bands future, But it seems that in the Studio for the first time in a long time the band is excited too, and the end of the day, as a person with ears who consumes music, what more Could I ask for?
Have a wee listen, and thanks for reading.
Jeremiah