Review Summary: The greatest rock n roll record ever made? Not quite...
It can go without question that Black Veil Brides have caused quite a bit of debate about them since they released their first LP We Stitch These Wounds. Some people love them, but quite a few people also hate them a great deal. Maybe it’s the look. Maybe it’s their style of music, or maybe its Andy Biersacks mono toned voice. Whatever the reason, people have shown to hate Black Veil Brides with a passion. But that hasnt stopped them from continuing with what they do.
One year after the harsh critics of We Stitch These Wounds, Andy and co. release Set the World on Fire, an album that over confident Andy calls “the best rock n roll record ever.” Is it? No, it isn’t. Its hard to say just what “the best rock n roll record ever” is. Despite his confidence, critics and haters of their first album bashed this record just as much as the last one. But Set the World on Fire doesn’t deserve all the hate it’s been getting. In fact, it’s a pretty good album.
Black Veil Brides second LP release still talks the topics of outcasts in songs like Saviour and Ritual and hinted slightly in others, but the album is really about going out there and reaching your goals and grabbing the world by the throat. New Religion is a great opener for the record, and the other tracks follow through nicely until Youth and Whiskey. Andy’s voices still sounds fairly mono tone at times, but has got better since his first efforts. His lyrics are well written, despite others thinking they are unoriginal, but in some areas they come across as cheesy. For example in The Legacy, he sings “we will change the world with these guitars”. But in others, his lyrics are really well written. The instruments are skilfully played, shredding great solos and riffs throughout the songs. There is less screaming however, whereas on the first album it was present in most of the songs, on this album there is very little of it. But when Andy does give his screams, they show to be more effective than usual on Saviour and The Legacy.
So, is it the best rock and roll record ever? No. But Black Veil Brides have made themselves well known throughout the world with Set the World on Fire, probably due to their Kiss like image. They have gained themselves many fans that cheer them, but also many hates who are more than satisfied to chuck piss filled bottles at them at shows.
Recommended tracks:
Set the World on Fire
Die for You
Ritual
