Review Summary: We Stitch These Wounds= EPIC FAIL.
Black Veil Brides (which literally means 'Nun') was formed in 2006 from the depths of Cincinatti, Ohio. Since their formation they have been a somewhat semi-successful band, mixing the stalest elements of metalcore with catchy, sing-a-long choruses. However, BVB didn't really 'blow up' on the metal scene until their release of the single "Knives and Pens". Within one month the video had accumulated over 3,000,000 views and BVB had gained thousands of emotional, angst-driven fans.
Black Veil Brides is:
Andy Sixx (aka Andrew Dennis Biersack)--Vocals
Jake Pitts--Lead guitar
Jinxx--Lead guitar, Violin
Ashley Purdy--Bass, Backing vocals
Sandra Alverenga--Drums
We Stitch These Wounds may be the most generic album to be released in 2010 thus far. It's full of recycled riffs, repetitive songwriting, and studio-altered screams. You'll come to know that WSTW is dedicated to modern-day 'outcasts' (more commonly known as emos), as shown when the first track (ironically) titled 'The Outcasts' boasts random noises followed by the maniacal speaking of we are to assume is an 'outcast' rallying others.
There is something to be said about originality. HOWEVER, there is nothing to be said for WSTW (or BVB for that matter) being original. While the guitarists seem competent enough to play their instruments, every riff on the album is a generic metalcore riff, recycled from a billion other songs. Very disappointing considering that there are somewhat technical pieces on the album. The bassist is comically unheard throughout WSTW, so it's hard to really rate her skill. The vocals are 90% clean, tinged with the ever-so-rare screams that are no doubt altered in studio to accomodate lack of skill. What is so wrong with a metalcore band that does more than growls? This precisely: the clean vocals express NO range whatsoever, and every vocal hook on the album walks the same line. It seems that the only talented member (not just on her respective instrument, but songwriting-wise as well) is the drummer. She throws in random fills, and uncommon pedalwork during certain bridges and such, and her formula echoes throughout the album.
Every song on WSTW is a carbon copy of the track before (excluding "The Mortician's Daughter" which is a ballad-like love song). "Knives and Pens" the redone single off the album boasts what is possibly the highest level of musical dexterity on WSTW, and believe me, that isn't saying much. The music is about as by-the-book as it can get. "We Stitch These Wounds", "All Your Hate", "Perfect Weapon", and "Children Surrender" might as well be the same song; same riff, same hook, same lyrical idea even. All of the lyrics on WSTW (once again excluding the aforementioned love song) speak of not being accepted for the way you dress, cutting yourself, being hated, expressing your feelings, and being emotional. They were definitley written in hopes of connecting with their ever-emotional fanbase, and are about as deep as a two-inch puddle.
Now, if BVB does make a statement, it's not through their music, it's through their attire. All of the members look like they were preparing for a gothic crossdressing convention. The two women in the band are about as butch as you can get, and Andy Sixx looks almost as if he is a teenage girl. Not even the way they look is fresh. Bands upon bands upon bands have taken the "look like women" route (ala; Poison, Twisted Sister, early Avenged Sevenfold, or any glam band).
Overall, Black Veil Brides utterly fail at everything being a band is built on. The band is terrible. The album is terrible. The look is terrible. If you are looking for an overrated, generic, bordering pathetic excuse for music, pick We Stitch These Wounds up right away. If not, stay as far away as possible.
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