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Rating: Let's get straight to the point and start from the end: this time Bullet For My Valentine have missed the mark. The awaited encore of the "The Poison" success did not materialize, leaving us with a work clearly below the standards we were used to and quite a bit of disappointment.
Lost the spontaneity and authenticity of the first chapter, which made it personal, as well as having very emotional moments capable of conveying something to the listener, the key word today seems to be renewal, which however seems more like regression rather than maturity and lightening of the sound, as many have said.
Reading online, it can be seen how this second attempt by the Welsh has, unsurprisingly, sparked mixed feelings among most, not only in terms of mere positive and/or negative judgments but also in the musical analysis that comes out of it, often in antitheses, like those Sunday journalists who see and describe two different matches from one game.
"Scream, Aim Fire" marks a definite step from the previous "The Poison." The order of the day is to change, abandon the melodic metalcore sound and land on the sacred shores of 80s old school thrash metal. Therefore, a drastic reduction of screaming/growl in favor of a cleaner vocal register.
What seems on paper to be an enticing experiment, instead reveals itself to be, to the ear, an ambiguous and inconsistent blend of sorts.
Their way of understanding thrash metal is taken very much "alla marinara." They do copy the rhythmic and harmonic structures, fast riffs, and solos, but what is missing is the spirit, the charm, the dose of aggression that made legends like Metallica great. In reality, it's hard to label such an album 'only' in one way. Here, thrash is mixed with elements of heavy/power and hair metal and some remnants of metal-core, just not to forget their origins. Quite a mess.
Let's get to the point.
"Scream Aim Fire" – Fast and direct track, powerful sounds and a chorus that neatly refines the backbone. A song rightly chosen as the lead single. Curious is the bridge where we hear the only real hints of growl on the entire album.
"Eye Of The Storm" – In the wake of the previous one, it continues on a thrash tone . Vocals are good here, managing to sustain the structure despite the clean setting. Definitely a pro is the instrumental part in the middle and the frequent guitar walls that enrich the content. Best episode of the album.
"Hearts Burst Into Fire" – Here start the problems and also the power digressions. Nice intro with an arpeggio promptly backed by a solo; forget then everything else, which borders on the prostitution of metal towards radios.
"Waking The Demon" – That is, the result of Killswitch Engage’s assault on Slayer (jam-session?), which resolves into a violent track with Thomas' swirling double bass drum, lacerating screaming, and slow refrains à la "Rose of Sharyn". Passionate. If the album were all on this line, it would be a whole different story. Too bad the piece's execution fury ends too soon, returning to more ordinary coordinates.
"Disappear" – Transitional episode, nice instrumental background especially at the beginning, with a decent choral part.
"Deliver Us From Evil" – Of the four vaguely more melodious pieces, the only salvageable one, also thanks to the sweet chorus and choirs.
"Take It Out On Me" – How any 80s thrash metal band would not sound. For goodness' sake, the piece is not bad, but the 'infantile' vocal tone clashes with the heaviness of the excellent opening riff.
"Say Goodnight" – The slow ballad. That is, the modern re-proposition of classics like "One" and "Sanitarium". The final result is a maybe, as it lacks the charm and expressiveness of Hetfield's band. The first part would be acceptable, too bad it is ruined by misplaced screams in the second part and a banal chorus that at times cannot be distinguished from the verses.
"End Of Days" - "Last To Know" – The return to the past that was. The only two pieces where the screamed vocals once again gain consistency and vigor in songwriting, and elements that had decreed success years ago can be seen. Thumbs up, only for the second of the two.
"Forever And Always" – Embarrassing. Arena metal, in an indigestible cross between tacky glam choirs and obscene melodies. Really trash. And it lasts almost seven minutes, making it even heavier. We find ourselves missing the concluding "The End" of the previous album, as well as real melodic gems of the past like "Cries In Vain" and "Tears Don't Fall", here replaced by nothingness.
It is clear that we are facing a transitional CD, that leaves many questions open for the future, as well as doors and forks.
Having said that, although there are successful episodes, the platter is affected by flaws, quite tedious as well, which weigh heavily on the final judgment.
It was already known that they were a band with a young target, which is not a bad thing, if a certain logic and consistency is maintained.
But what is the best expedient to guarantee a large audience to be digestible to young cubs and college radio, if not the repeated and incredibly catchy choruses? There it is, the real weak point of the work. Often annoying and plastic choruses, also often too redundant, which negatively affect the temporal "consumption" of the full-length.
Another sore point is Mr. Tuck's unsatisfactory vocal performance, with a flat, even infantile tone, often bordering on sugary. Really a shame, considering that the instrumental parts by Micheal Padget and the leader are well-crafted, with many definitely inspired and well-played guitar parts (the riffing of "Waking The Demon" is there to prove it), chasing each other.
In essence, the point is this: thrash in form, but little substance, to be even remotely comparable to the Four Horsemen. The most accurate comparison remains with Trivium. With the difference that the latter, yes, moved from a more modern and -core sound to a more classic one on their "The Crusade", but with decidedly different results compared to Bullet. Trivium turned 360° degrees, without too many issues and above all putting aside too cheap melodies and bizarre ballads. The Welsh instead seem undecided which path to follow, whether to be like pot sellers as a sidekick to whoever is the Giorgio Mastrota of the moment or to put in that grit that the genre would require.
For now, the judgment is pending. They are in limbo; it's now up to them to make a choice.
Key tracks: "Eye Of The Storm", "Waking The Demon", "Scream Aim Fire"
Worst: "Forever And Always", "Hearts Burst Into Fire"
Rating 2.5/5
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Eye of the Storm (04:02)
Can you hear the thunder?
can you feel the rain it poors?
nail down all your windows
then barricade the doors
mother nature's fury takes you by the hand
showing all but mercy
wreaking death upon the land
Go!
Caught in the eye of the storm
did the heaven just open and fall?
We are caught in the eye of the storm
all that's left are just bodies to mourn
Can you see the lightning?
Can you feel the wind it soars?
Pack up your belongings, let chaos take control
(take control!)
Mother nature's fury takes you by the hand
Rip this world to pieces
Bid farewell to all you know
Go!
Caught in the eye of the storm
did the heaven just open and fall?
We are caught in the eye of the storm
all that's left are just bodies to mourn
Yeah!
x3
Caught in the eye of the storm
Can you hear the thunder?
can you feel the rain it poors?
nail down all your windows
then barricade the doors
mother nature's fury takes you by the hand
showing all but mercy
wreaking death upon the land
Go!
Caught in the eye of the storm
did the heaven just open and fall?
We are caught in the eye of the storm
all that's left are just bodies to mourn
To mourn!
04 Waking the Demon (04:07)
Verse:
HELPLESS!!,
My eyes are bleeding from the fear that's inside,
you sealed your demise when you,
took what was mine,
Don't try to stop me from avenging this world,
No Voice to be heard,
Chorus:
Waking The Demon,
Where'd you run to?
Walking in shadows,
Watch the blood flow,
Theres not much longer, so don't try and fight,
your body's weakening, Walk to the light,
Those painful times so alone, so afraid
I'm not coming back, theres nothing to gain,
Verse (2) :
CAUTION!, theres just no limits to the boundaries you push,
I warned you but still you just,
FUCK WITH MY MIND, Theres no escape from this rage that i feel,
Nothing is real,
Chorus:
Waking The Demon,
Where'd you run to?
Walking in shadows,
Watch the blood flow,
Theres not much longer, so don't try and fight,
Your body's weakening, Walk to the light,
Those painful time so alone, so ashamed
I'm not coming back, theres nothing to gain!,
Breakdown x2
Breathe for me,
Dont wake me from this slumber
Stay with me,
Possession taking over
.....
TRIP!
Breakdown x2
Breathe for me,
Dont Wake Me from this slumber,
Stay with me,
Possession taking over
Outro
Waking The Demon!
05 Disappear (04:05)
Once again the same things on your mind
Increasing pulse from what goes on inside
Will you pay for what you've done, hatred
Paybacks such a bitch her vengeance haunts you
So what's wrong tough guy why the tears
You drove me to this now you disappear
Now all those acts repaid
Your turn to be afraid
Not longer almost done
Oh god just what have I become
[X2]
Try to fight you only make things worse
Screams of agony your final verse
Now you're begging for your life breathless
All the times I bled my vengeance takes you
So whats wrong tough guy why the tears
You drove me to this now you disappear
Now all those acts repaid
Your turn to be afraid
Not longer almost done
oh god just what have I become
[X2]
Your sweetest dreams turn into tears
It's almost done
They're almost gone
So whats wrong tough guy why the tears
You drove me to this now you disappear
[X2]
Now all this acts repaid
Your turn to be afraid
Not longer almost done
Oh god just what have I become
Have I become
[X2]
08 Say Goodnight (04:43)
Heaven's waiting for you
Just close your eyes
And say goodbye
Hearing your pulse
Go on and on and on
I live my life in misery
I'd sacrifice this world to hold you
No breath left inside of me
Shattered glass keeps falling
Say
Say goodnight
Just sleep tight
Say goodnight
Flowers laid out for you
So many colors leave me blind
Seeing your face reflect from our baby's eyes
I live my life in misery
I'd sacrifice this world to hold you
No breath left inside of me
Shattered glass keeps falling
Say
Say goodnight
Just sleep tight
Say goodnight
So here I am
You're inside of me
So here I am
Our world is over
So here I am
You're inside of me
So here I am
Our world is over
Here I am with you
I'm there til the end
Memories are calling
So farewell my friend
Farewell my friend!
Here I am with you
I'm there til the end
Memories are calling
So farewell my friend
FAREWELL MY FRIEND!
MY FRIEND
MY FRIEND
MY FRIEND
11 Forever and Always (06:49)
Forever and always
(always)
That time is here again
Prepare to be apart
And it drives you crazy
Each time I go away
The distance gets longer
But it makes us stronger
Should it all come crashing down around me
Would you be there should I stumble and fall
And pick up the pieces
Oh oh oh
Forget about the shit that we’ve been through
I wanna stay here forever and always
Oh oh oh
Standing here in front of all of you
I wanna stay here forever and always
These days are dead again
It’s empty from the start
And it drives me crazy
The hours drift away
It hurts to remember
This will soon be over
Should it all come crashing down around me
Would you be there should I stumble and fall
And pick up the pieces?
Oh oh oh
Forget about the shit that we’ve been through
I wanna stay here forever and always
Oh oh oh
Standing here in front of all of you
I wanna stay here forever and always
(Solo)
Forever and always
Forever and always
Forever and always
ESPAÑOL
Ese tiempo esta aqui otra vez
Preparate para separarnos
y te vuelve loco
cada vez que me voy
la distancia se hace mas grande
pero nos hace mas fuertes
si todo se derrumbara a mi alrededor
estarias ahi si me tropezara y cayera
y levantarias los pedazos?
oh oh oh
olvida la ****** por la que hemos pasado
quiero quedarme aqui por siempre y para siempre
oh oh oh
parado aqui en frente de todos ustedes
quiero quedarme aqui por siempre y para siempre
estos dias estan muertos otra vez
esta vacio desde el principio
y me vuelve loco
las horas que pasan
duele recordar
que pronto todo va a terminar
y se repite desde si todo se derrumbara a mi alrededor...
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Other reviews
By Gallagher87
"Scream, Aim, Fire is more Emotional than Metalcore despite its bombastic title."
"Deliver Us From Evil becomes noticeable as the best track on the CD after repeated listens."
By Jester
The explosive title track 'Scream Aim Fire' kicks things off, catapulting us into the new work.
'Waking the Demon' opens with a Machine Head style riff and continues optimally balancing rage and melody.
By emanuele
‘An album that’s flat, full of melodies so sugary they could cause diabetes.’
‘Failed with very few exceptions.’
