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Bullet For My Valentine
The Poison


3.0
good

Review

by Damrod EMERITUS
October 3rd, 2005 | 633 replies


Release Date: 2005 | Tracklist


After the release of the self-titled 5-track EP earlier this year, many people looked forward to the release of this album. (Me being one of them) Many, not all. One half really loved this more metal-influenced mix of Metalcore, others just saw a bunch of Maiden rip-offs in them. Well, now it's here (over here at least, where it was released September 30th) so lets see what it provides.

Some general impressions:
I expected a lot of metal-like guitar work, but this is more then I thought would be present. Most of the songs feature a solo-like guitar line. Quite some tapping going on (for example on 'Her voice resides'), and interesting dual-guitar work on probably all songs. Overall the guitar work is much more metal then on their EP IMO. The vocals are a combination of clean and melodic parts, sung by Matt Tucker. And on the other side there are screamed parts done by Matt and Jay James, the bassist. They add up good together, with Jay having a slightly lower scream compared to Matt. A little multi vocal part is present here and there as well, a good example would be the background on "Four words to choke upon". I guess that this was studio work, as it sounds like about... at least four or five voices to me. It sounds nice, and adds to the songs, though I must say that in the case of 'Four words to choke upon I prefer the old version, the background vocals were better there. As we mentioned the bass guy: The bass is... well, not very present at all. Not that he plays a lot of sophisticated stuff, but still it would be nice to really notice what is played. But after all it's Metalcore-like music, so I'm not really suprised by that. The drumming is solid, and is very driving and pushing on most songs. A quick double bass here, nice fill there. I like it.

Coming to the music and songs as a whole. Basically the LP can be divided in two kind of songs: a bit harder regarding riffs and vocals ('Her voice resides', 'Hand of Blood', 'Room 409'), and songs that are a bit more mellow and feature a lot more melodic vocals, and basically going more into the 'classic metal direction' so to say ('Tears don't fall', '10 years today', 'Cries in vain'). You won't find songs that are purely screaming or purely melodic here though, just some where one or the other is more present. The overall mix is ok, though some of the songs are pretty similar if you don't pay attention while it plays. This is one of the records you won't notice it's already over while doing something while listening (to the complete opposite to albums by 'The Fall of Troy' for example). So much for the general impression.

Good and Bad:
What's on the good side? Clearly the guitar work, that is quite good. The solo-like guitar on the songs is nice, and in combination with the screamed/melodic vocals... not bad at all. Though that is the first weak point of the album as well. The riffs remind me a bit too much of Iron Maiden, and on some rare spots of Metallica. You can get the feeling that this is Iron Maiden with screamed vocals here and there. Though I know that not every band out there can create something completely new, this is a bit too much like known stuff for me. Still the work done here is good, wih nice ideas: The acoustic guitar intro to 'All things I hate revolve around me' and the great first Intro track, composed together with Apocalyptica. Fantastic IMO.

I don't mind the topics of the lyrics much, but I guess that for quite a bunch the lyrics are a bit too angsty, or how some people would state: "emo" (though that's not true as this has nothing to do with what Emo is, but that is another story). I think it's ok. But I guess that some poeple already start to crinche on reading song titles like 'All things I hate revolve around me' or 'Suffocating under words of sorrow'.

One personal negative point: I bought the special edition in a digipack, as it was the same price as the regular one. The cover is ok, but the booklet is a complete waste. Only pictues of the band members, and the usual "We thank...". Nothing like lyrics ore something like that. The booklet has only about 4 pages or so. Poor, really poor. Especially after seeing how cool a booklet can be (examples for me: 'The Shape of Punk to come' by Refused and the latest album by Coheed and Cambria). Does not affect the music, but I still felt a bit ripped of my money.

Summary:
So what's the final verdict then? This is a good album, I listened to it at the store and took it home the same day. It's fun to listen to, and the guitar work sure is nice. The vocals are good as well, as main singer has a good voice, melodic and screamed, well supported by the screaming of the bassist. Still, something seems to be missing. Maybe it's because it's not really new and innovative material. Even more as on the EP Bullet for my Valentine sound like Maiden spiced up with some Metallica-like passages here and there. What differs is the harder guitar work, that is more like Metalcore and of course the screamed vocals. But basically this is a lot of Iron Maiden riffs combined with more 'modern' vocals and a bit angsty lyrics. This failed to live up to the expectations I had after the EP.

It's a solid package though, and if you like Metalcore that is a bit more Metal then core, try these guys. This might be the stuff you've been looking for.

Final rating: 3 - 3.5/5



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Comments:Add a Comment 
Neoteric
October 8th 2005


3243 Comments


Brilliant review Dammy :-*

masada
October 21st 2005


2733 Comments


:gasp: I didn't even noticed this review. Great one again, Damrod.

Neoteric
October 21st 2005


3243 Comments


Eliminator Jr, how you online here and not on MSN?

masada
October 21st 2005


2733 Comments


I'm Jesus, so stop spamming, or I'll smite you.

I haven't really heard that much from this band, and I'm not really sure if I want to risk listening to their stuff. Hey, I avoided spamming.

Confessed2005
November 6th 2005


5980 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I have this album and it is a thoroughly good listen. Personally, I beleive the lyrics are quite well crafted on a number of tracks. But the guitar work shines through always. The drums are very pleasing to the ear as well but it is a shame that you don't hear much bass. Damn the metalcore scene...Excellent review by the way. Concise but very enlightening.

Dead_Trench
November 27th 2005


159 Comments


The major problem I have with these guys is the lyrics and clean vocals, which sound a bit whiny.

204409
Emeritus
December 25th 2005


3998 Comments


I heard the song from the Madden 06 soundtrack and it sort of sucks. In fact that soundtrack sucks with that A7X song and other BS. However, the NCAA Football 06 soundtrack rules with "Know It All" by Lagwagon and "Jeff Wears Birkenstocks" by NOFX and some Jawbreaker song.

CushMG15
February 18th 2006


1810 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

The two songs i've heard off of this, despite being good, sound a bit over-produced. I'll probably still pick it up tho.



Good, honest Review.

innerdark
February 18th 2006


749 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

i personally only have 1 word for BFMV



eurgh.



i find them over-hyped and under-talented, and just, generally annoying



Bullet for my valentine



Bull**** for my valentine



although, 4 words is an average song



Concubine
February 18th 2006


333 Comments


i second that.... They almost as bad as atreyu, only better guitar works and they don't wear the stupid make-up...

CushMG15
February 18th 2006


1810 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Actually the lead guitar work for Atreyu is a fair amount more impressive than these guys.



The vocals and lack of creativity is what ruins Atreyu for me. These guys have a little more vision, and a lot more talent vocally.



Over-hyped tho? Definitely.

Neoteric
February 18th 2006


3243 Comments


I only seem to like All These Things I Hate though the lyrics are a bit shallow on that song. The other songs are just generic metalcore to me.

Punkymissconverse
February 21st 2006


17 Comments


verry good album... i enjoy this band.... their screams bring me joy.

heh..

Arucard
February 21st 2006


581 Comments


Calling this album Iron Maiden with screams is actually probably the most offensive thing to happen to Maiden since the Ozzfest incident.

This is piss poor work from a band who are up themselves so much because they manage to sell out a few venues with screaming little girls. Pathetic excuse for metal music. Vocals are horrific, the lyrics are even worse (if thats possible) and this album is just generally an attempt at riding the succes waves of other Welsh pop superstars like Lost Prophets and FFAF, but, realising that 'screaming' music with 'emtional' lyrics is the height of cool at the minute, making their music slightly heavier to fit the new popular scene.

They are also total arse holes.

Punkymissconverse
February 21st 2006


17 Comments


nicely put Arucard, do you have any more rude remarks tward this band?
if you dislike them so much, why take the precious time out of your life to comment them?

"They are total arse holes"

does this mean you know them personaly? have you spoken with them lately? are you f u c k ing budy budy with them?!

back off.

Neoteric
February 21st 2006


3243 Comments


[quote=The singer in Rock Sound magazine]"I like that everyone is starting to get into metal again"[/quote]
Yeah, crap metal that is.

Arucard
February 23rd 2006


581 Comments


Your user name pretty much discredits anything you have to say anyway.

I'm taking 'precious time out of my life' to warn people how crap these guys are.

And by the way, i called them arse holes for several reasons. Did you hear about the guy on the forums who said they weren't real metal and they got their secruity to rough him up? Or how about FFAF hating them because they bragged about how the blew them off the stage?

If you ask me, their just stupid little kids who think they make good music, but really dont.

Oh yeh btw, BEing PunK R00lzzz and SO Do ConvERSE Man!!!

Damrod
Moderator
February 23rd 2006


1093 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

[Quote=Arucard]Did you hear about the guy on the forums who said they weren't real metal and they got their secruity to rough him up?[/Quote]



I do honestly doubt that. Has the guy posted his adress or something? How would they know where to send their security? Bull if you ask me

Arucard
February 25th 2006


581 Comments


They were in a club.

Neoteric
February 25th 2006


3243 Comments


All These Things I Hate has horrible lyrics.This Message Edited On 02.25.06



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