Forming as your typical high-school band back in 2006 based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, Black Veil Brides have changed members, form and direction several times since their humble beginnings. Vale is their fifth studio album since their surprise success debut, We Stitch These Wounds. Have the band managed to grow with their sound? Or are they better left in their school hallways?
Black Veil Brides have been pushed from pillar to post by reviewers since their inception in 2006. Skewered for being a “boy band” in the realm of metal, for looking like the early-noughties emo sub-culture literally threw up its wardrobe on them (as an early noughties emo myself, I can confirm that the band have all the clothing I wanted) and for being too soft for their metal roots. They have however, retained a massively loyal fan base (named “The Black Legion”) who fiercely follow their melodic, surprisingly positive message. Another thing you can’t take away from them is their skill and drive. Whether it sits well with you or not, musically, the members of the band are talented.
Guitarist Jake Pitts was hugely hands-on with the production of this newest album, Vale, and has ensured it remains true to the band’s vision. The operatic overtures the band are loved and reviled for are still very much present, with guitars interwoven with orchestral strings and lead vocalist Andy Biersack creating multiple personas and characters throughout the album in the true spirit of a rock opera reminiscent of the skill of We Are Ghost. Whether they were seen as an inspiration for this album remains to be seen. “When They Call My Name” is a true show of Biersack’s ability to embody the underdog, the downtrodden hero. Biersack’s vocal ability shines through with all the drama and pomp of a true opera, full of characterisation and underlined perfectly by the unashamedly glam riffs.
The band may have made their name as an angsty teen band, well suited for miserable emo schoolkids, but considering that the band formed in 2006 with Biersack barely 14 at the time, he could truly speak to the target audience; he belonged to them. In an interview with Altpress, Biersack has stated that the band’s messages have had to mature with them. He can no longer sing about issues faced in his teens, as things have changed since then, so at the age of 27, his messages are those faced by other millennials, and society as a whole.
“The Outsider” and “Dead Man Walking” speak to the disenfranchised, with all the former, wilder angst and rage of the band forged into something sharper and more focussed to the wider society as opposed to feeling targeted at school bullies. Both of them thunder along their full length with relentless, powerful drums, thrashing guitars and, in the case of “Dead Man Walking”, a full orchestra of strings, brass and timpani to break up the 8-minute length of the song into something far deeper than just a rock ballad. Having a massive list of influences behind the band’s members, ranging from KISS and Mötley Crüe for their glam influences and Avenged Sevenfold for their speed and technical prowess, one song that helps break up the soundtrack-esque vibe of the album is “My Vow”. A rapid and relentless track in the vein of Pantera with brutal staccato guitars replete with a Dimebag Darrell-style shredding solo.
Overall, the album feels worlds away from their early releases. The band has come a long way in a very short time, and Biersack has shown wisdom way beyond his years in regards to social issues and his responsibilities to his fans. Having been approached by fans with self-harm scars (stopped by the music, not caused by it) the band are aware of their impact as musicians and want to ensure their message is as positive as it can be.
Author: Steve, Southgate store
