I will just come out and say that yes, I’m a fan of the Black Veil Brides. I’m also not under the age of 18. While it does appear that the majority of their fans are underage, I’m not one of them. That being said, like the majority of their fans, I also had been looking forward to the release of BVB’s major label debut, Set the World on Fire, and I was not disappointed at all.
This album, while each and every song could easily stand on its own, takes listeners on a musical journey that continues the themes begun on BVB’s previous album, We Stitch These Wounds. Whereas WSTW was angry, this next chapter of the journey is encouraging and hopeful. The album’s sound is more refined, which of course comes with experience, as well as having producer Josh Abraham (30 Seconds to Mars, Slayer, Atreyu) on board, but it is not so far off from where the band was before that fans would wonder what happened to them.
As you listen throughout the album, you realize that this collection of songs could easily be the soundtrack of the lives of BVB fans, affectionately referred to by the band as the “BVB Army”. The album begins with "New Religion" - a call to arms for the "outcasts" as they were called on WSTW. Singer Andy Biersack is the Pied Piper of modern times as he brings the BVB Army forward with lyrics such as "Come now and imagine with me, Taking back a world that once was ours, Let's regain the power, and then we will end what we've begun".
Some may comment that Biersack doesn’t scream or growl as much on this album but he still does so where the song warrants it. And seriously, when did metal rock music start sounding like Cookie Monster from Sesame Street? Personally I’m happy that those sounds are now limited, and the focus is on showcasing Biersack’s surprisingly wide vocal range. These songs are big and anthemic - complete with call and response sections, as heard on “Fallen Angels”. One could easily visualize them being played in a large arena.
What else complements playing in large arenas? Guitar solos. And, this album doesn’t skimp on the solos. From the opening chords of “Love Isn’t Always Fair” through the last notes of “The Legacy”, lead guitarist, Jake Pitts shows us that he’s destined for the history books. Add to that the dueling guitar of Jinxx who also shows his skills with the violin on "Saviour" and you have a duo that are a force with which to be reckoned.
The album does still have a softer side and that is especially seen with one of my favorites, “Saviour”. This song is very emotional and with its lyrics, “Because of who you are, I will take this burden on and become the holy one”, Andy accepts the position he has placed himself into within the BVB Army. Would the critics be more accepting of this band if this song was being sung by a 30-something to his child? These lyrics could easily be taken that way but instead, we have a 20 year-old in makeup/war paint singing those words. Maybe this is why the fan base is so young; instead of singing about sex, drugs, and alcohol, here is a band singing about standing up for yourself and not letting those around you dictate who and what you should be. These are themes that the younger generation can easily relate to as they are still trying to find themselves. And in Biersack, they see someone not much older than them helping them along the way.
Take the songs for what they are and look beyond what is right in front of you. If it is the image that is your deterrent, don’t let it be. Take a music history lesson and see what was said early on about bands such as KISS and Motley Crue and look at them now. You might want to jump on this journey now with the Black Veil Brides before the warpaint dries
~Courtney Campbell, Michelle Lee, Van Nguyen
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By : @earplugsrequird
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