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Among the groups that have emerged in recent years from that desolate and subservient land of Her Majesty's greatest homeland, known as Wales, Bullet For My Valentine, along with Funeral For A Friend and Lost Prophets, are certainly among the most popular names.
Nowadays, it is common to define with the emocore label albums that span from various genres such as power-pop to pop-punk ending to indie rock, which have little or nothing to do with the previously mentioned stream. Bullet falls into this discussion as they play metalcore, combining softer melodies with more violent and screaming parts, all dotted with a good amount of solos and the alternation of clean guitars to predominantly steep metallic riffs. Having said this, the album because of its eclecticism lends itself both to those looking for something powerful and aggressive, while also being good for those who nevertheless do not disdain more peaceful moments. The concept just expressed is confirmed in the use of different vocal techniques by lead-singer Matthew Tuck, skilled in alternating the classic clean with screaming and combining them with darker and guttural passages typical of growl.
The comparison with Trivium's "Ascendancy" is not entirely wrong, although the Welsh can be considered as the slightly milder version of the latter. That said, in my opinion, it is not even erroneous to label Bullet For My Valentine as the "metal" and "core" version of Silverstein, (a punk-derived emocore band), given the similarity in alternating anger and resentment with soft and melancholic atmospheres.
The album as a whole is quite varied, alternating hard sounds where the group thrashes like a demon ("Her voice resides", "Room 409"), where particularly in the former, the strong thrash influences of other groups are felt, to mid-tempo that alternate calm and storm ("All these things I hate", "Cries in vain", "Tears don't fall"), among which one cannot fail to mention the splendid 4th track, "Tears don't fall", which has a decidedly well-crafted melody. Undoubtedly the best episode of the platter, shaking off melancholy and finding relief in the electrifying finale. The basic riff vaguely recalls that of Silverstein's "Smile in your sleep". There are also classic-style metalcore songs ("4 words to choke upon", "The poison", "10 years today") perfectly successful and undoubtedly the best episodes, as well as disappointing tracks like "Hand of blood" which apart from the nice fluid solo says nothing, and others, see under the heading "Hit the floor", certainly among the most easy listening.
The production and sounds are really excellently cared for and manage not to tire even after several listens. No particular additions are made to the arrangements except for the violins that dot the intro and the acoustic guitars used for large parts in the single/ballad "All these things I hate". The riffs and solos scattered throughout the various songs are definitely interesting, while (a small curiosity) the bass can be heard solo for just a few seconds in the bridge of the bonus track "Spit you out".
It should be noted how the album was released in several "collateral" versions besides the classic one. That said, "The Poison" remains an excellent debut for a band with potential and will still be talked about in the future.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Her Voice Resides (04:18)
Our time is ending, I feel it's only just begun
And I'm frustrated, I can't believe you're not the one
My ears are bleeding, her voice resides inside my head
And now I'm choking, release this noose around my neck!
Will I just fall to pieces?
Or am I all right?
To iron out my creases, you must lacerate me 'til they're gone
These are my final words to you
I know you're listening, can you hear me
The time has come to say goodbye
These are my final words, to you
The clock is ticking, my heart is bursting through my chest,
And now I'm crying, the tears are pouring off my face,
The chair is creaking,
Her voice resides inside my head,
And now it's over,
You put this noose around my neck
Will I just fall to pieces?
Or am I all right?
To iron out my creases, you must lacerate me 'til they're gone
These are my final words to you
I know you're listening, can you hear me
The time has come to say goodbye
These are my final words, to you
Heaven, where is my angel?
I need her now, holding me
Heaven, where is my angel?
I need her now, holding me tonight
Now!
Will I just fall to pieces?
Or am I all right?
To iron out my creases, you must lacerate me 'til they're gone
These are my final words to you
I know you're listening, can you hear me
The time has come to say goodbye
These are my final words, to you
03 4 Words (to Choke Upon) (03:43)
Betrayed one more time,
But somewhere down that line
You're gonna get what's coming to you
Look at me now,
Look at me now,
Look at me now!
Pull the knife from my back,
Soon I'm the one that's on attack,
Can't wait to return the favour
Look at me now,
Look at me now,
Look at me now!
Too many times I've seen it,
Rip a hole into our friendship
This is how it's been, how it always will be
You think you're above me (You think you're above me!)
But now I'm here to end this
Four words to choke upon!
Look at me now!
Look at me now
(Look at me now!!!)
Look at me now
Betrayed one more time,
But somewhere down that line
You're gonna get what's coming to you
Look at me now,
Look at me now,
Look at me now!
Pull the knife from my back,
To leave the one inside intact
Can't wait to return the favour
Too many times I've seen it,
Rip a hole into our friendship
This is how it's been, how it always will be
You think you're above me (You think you're above me!)
But now I'm here to end this
Four words to choke upon!
Look! (Look!)
At, me... now!
Too many times I've seen it,
Rip a hole into our friendship
Four words to choke upon!
Too many times I've seen it,
Rip a hole into our friendship
This is how it's been, how it always will be
You think you're above me (You think you're above me!)
But now I'm here to end this
Four words to choke upon!
Look! (Look!)
At, me... NOW!
Four Words To Choke Upon
04 Tears Don't Fall (05:48)
With blood shot eyes I watch you sleeping
The warmth I feel beside me is slowly fading
Would she hear me, if I called her name
Would she hold me, if she knew my shame
There's always something different going wrong
The path I walk is in the wrong direction
There's always someone fucking hanging on
Can anybody help me make things better
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
The moments died, I hear no screaming
The visions left inside me are slowly fading
Would she hear me, if i called her name
Would she hold me, if she knew my shame
There's always something different going wrong
The path i walk is in the wrong direction
There's always someone fucking hanging on
Can anybody help me make things better
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
This battered room I've seen before
The broken bones they heal no more, no more
With my last breath I'm choking
Will this ever end I'm hoping
My world is over one more time
Would she hear me if I called her name
Would she hold me, if she knew my shame
There's always something different going wrong
The path I walk is in the wrong direction
There's always someone fucking hanging on
Can anybody help me make things better
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
Your tears don't fall, they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
Your tears don't fall they crash around me
Her conscious calls the guilty to come home
06 Hit the Floor (03:30)
I see you walking home alone, your face is alive and bright
But you can't see how weak you are 'cause I could end it tonight
It's the feeling you get when you think that someone behind is watching you
Well I can tell you now, that someone is me and I'm about to make it right
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd hit the floor
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd HIT THE FLOOR!
I creep up from behind, touch your neck, move down your spine
Take a look and breathe so sharp
Just a matter of time
Don't scream I ask of you, but then you let one out and now it's time to go
I come down on you like a ton of brick
All over so it's time to go
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd hit the floor
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd hit the floor
HIT THE FLOOR!
Whoa-oah!
Whoa-oah!
Whoa-oah!
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd hit the floor
Why do you take it all?
Why do I beg for more?
I never thought that this is how I'd hit the floor
HIT THE FLOOR!
Take this for me, I don't wanna hurt you
Take this for me, I don't WANNA HURT YOU!
07 All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) (03:45)
Once more I say goodbye, to you
Things happen but we don't really know why
If it's supposed to be like this, why do most of us ignore the chance to miss?
Oh yeah...
Torn apart at the seams and my dreams turn to tears, I'm not feeling this situation
Run away try to find a safe place you can hide
It's the best place to be when you're feeling like..
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah!)
All these things I hate revolve around
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah!)
Just back off before I snap
Once more you tell those lies, to me
Why can't you just be straight up with honesty?
When you say those things in my ear, why do you always tell me what you wanna hear?
Oh yeah...
Wear your heart on your sleeve, make things hard to believe, I'm not feeling this situation
Run away try to find a safe place you can hide
It's the best place to be when you're feeling like..
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah!)
All these things I hate revolve around
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah!)
Just back off before I snap and you'll see...(see!)
Me...(me!)
All these things I hate revolve around
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah)
Just back off before I snap...
Torn apart at the seams and my dreams turn to tears, I'm not feeling this situation
Run away try to find a safe place you can hide
It's the best place to be when you're feeling like me...
It's the best to be when you're
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah)
All these things I hate revolve around
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah!)
Just back off before I snap and you'll see...(see!)
Me...(me!)
All these things I hate revolve around
Me...(me!)
Yeah...(yeah)
Just back off before I snap...
08 Room 409 (04:01)
Yeah!
I can't believe what I've seen, so scratch my eyes out!
You, were at ease, on your knees, in his apartment!
You said his name, as I came, in your direction!
Now, I can choose, what to do, with both of you
I loved you! (I need you...)
You hurt me! (I loved you...)
I loved you,
You, hurt, me, bad!
GO!
Your words, bury me, of what I used to be
I can't erase all those things I've seen
You heart, smothers me, now it's hard to breathe
I can't erase all my memories
I, take a step, to the left, now you see me!
Tears, start to pour, as you crawl, in his apartment!
You, screamed his name, as I came, in your direction!
Fists, start to fly, say goodbye, there's no excuses!
I loved you! (I need you...)
You hurt me! (I loved you...)
I loved you,
You, hurt, me, bad!
GO!
Your words, bury me, of what I used to be
I can't erase all those things I've seen
You heart, smothers me, now it's hard to breathe
I can't erase all my memories
OH!
Wha-oh-ah-oh!
Wha-oh-ah-oh!
Wha-oh-ah-oh!
Wha-oh-ah-oh!
Get up!
(Hey!) There's no excuses!
(Hey!)
(Hey!) There's no excuses!
(Hey!)
I loved you! (I need you...)
You hurt me! (I loved you...)
I loved you,
You, hurt, me, bad!
GO!
Your words, bury me, of what I used to be
I can't erase all those things I've seen
You heart, smothers me, now it's hard to breathe
I can't erase all my memories
Erase all my memories of you!
09 The Poison (03:39)
Now, is your time to die
We've gathered here to say goodbye
No, more, you'll cry
No reason left for you to fight
Feel, pain, no more
Emotions never felt before
Where, do, we go
We go, she'll never know
Holding on to you, to keep from falling
Your eyes are closing now
Another chapter's ending
Hard, times, we always saw
There's nothing left of you no more
Fear, has, no place, no place
Cover her face
Holding on to you, to keep from falling
Your eyes are closing now
Another chapter's ending
This is our last goodbye (goodbye!)
This is our time tonight
Holding on to you!
Cover up her face!
Holding on to you... To keep from falling!
Holding on to you, to keep from falling
Your eyes are closing now
Another chapter's ending
This is our last goodbye (goodbye!)
This is our time tonight (goodbye!)
This is our last goodbye!
10 10 Years Today (03:55)
Ten years ago, I got a call that nearly killed me
Repeat yourself, my hands are shaking
When I was told, my friend was gone I felt so guilty
A thousand questions left unanswered
I'll bleed if you want me to!
I'll serenade before I do
I'll bleed if you want me, to!
On and on although you're gone, candles burn without a flame on
Our final call to you, I know you're listening
How could you leave us that way?
Where did you go? (ten years today!)
Ten years ago, I stood beside the wood that held you
I must sit down, my legs are shaking
We let you go, with gifts of plectrums for your journey
And melodies to help you on your way
I'll bleed if you want me to!
I'll serenade before I do
I'll bleed if you want me, to!
On and on although you're gone, candles burn without a flame on
Our final call to you, I know you're listening
How could you leave us that way?
Where did you go? (ten years today!)
Wh-oh-ah!
Wh-oh-ah!
Wh-oh-ah!
I'll bleed, if you want me to (I'll bleed if you want me to!)
I'll bleed if you want me, to!
On and on although you're gone, candles burn without a flame on
Our final call to you, I know you're listening
How could you leave us that way?
Where did you go? (ten years today!)
Where did you go? (ten years today!)
Where did you go?
How could you leave us that way?
Where did you go? (ten years today!)
11 Cries in Vain (03:56)
Lord, you know I've cried a thousand tears tonight,
But nothing seems to quench the thirst you keep on craving,
But now I need an answer to my prayers and you're not there,
So why I think you listen?
Listen!
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain,
And everyone keeps trying to take that all away,
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain.
Your cries!
Lord, I can't disguise the look inside my eyes,
The more I try to look away the more I'm staring,
But now I need an answer to my prayers and you're not there,
So why I think you listen?
Listen!
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain,
And everyone keeps trying to take that all away,
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain.
Your cries!
Your cries in vain.
Your cries in vain.
Your cries in vain.
Your cries in vain.
I look away!
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain,
And everyone keeps trying to take that all away,
Has no one told you, your cries are all in vain.
Your cries!
Has nobody told you when you look away.
The stories they told you still run through your veins.
Has nobody told you when you look away
The stories they told you still run through your...
Run through your veins!
12 Spit You Out (04:07)
I am what I am, so I...
Spit you out!
Do I, cut the ties? or do I, hold on tight?!
Time has come for me to realize
All those things I loved I now despise
But it's, my life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
(To rise above!)
It's, my, life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
Your pictures on my wall
With this around me I don't feel it's over
I've never felt this way before
With you around me I don't feel it's over
I am what I am, so I...
Spit you out!
Can you justify how I...
Time has come for me to realize
All those things I loved I now despise
But it's, my life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
(To rise above!)
It's, my, life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
Your pictures on my wall
With this around me I don't feel it's over
I've never felt this way before
With you around me I don't feel it's over now!
The end!
I know you're faking!
You try to get me back!
I know you're faking it!
The end!
(..feel it's over..)
(..feel it's over..)
(Bullet for my Valentine! *crowd cheering*)
(How ya doin' everyone?! *crowd cheers again*)
But it's, my life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
(To rise above!)
It's, my, life!
(I'm taking back what's mine!)
It's, our, time!
To rise above!
13 The End (06:47)
Your hair reminds me of a time when were we once were
Your fingernails that marked my back now rot in earth
The sheets we slept in blew away, and now the storm is over
The taste of you inside my mouth remains, but still I'm hearing
There's no love, everybody's crying
There's no truth, everyone's misguided
And now the end is here!
There's no more pills to swallow
The bitter taste I feel, won't lead me to tomorrow
Your scent reminds me of a place we used to go
The kisses placed upon my neck show signs of, no return!
The bed we f***ed in, smells the same, and now the the stench is fading
The taste of you inside my mouth remains but still I'm hearing
There's no love, everybody's crying
There's no truth, everyone's misguided
And now the end is here!
There's no more pills, to swallow!
The bitter taste I feel, won't lead me to, tomorrow!
Cries for anger,
Lies for power
Fighting for nothing, is what you were born for
Cries for anger,
Lies for power
Fighting for nothing, is what you were born for
AHH!
YAAH!
Cries for anger,
Lies for power
Fighting for nothing, is what you were born for
Cries for anger,
Lies for power
Fighting for nothing, is what you were born, for!
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Other reviews
By Divodark
"The album is meticulous in every detail, the production and mixing come close to perfection."
"A breath of fresh air needed to stir the waters of a scene perhaps still too tied to the usual historical names."
By jecko666
They have an excellent technique, almost enviable, I'd say: melodies that overlap perfectly, clean and fast solos... all very nice.
Heard one, heard them all.
By SmknToyz87
The album could almost touch perfection... It's a shame for this attempt by Bullet to revive the fortunes of a genre that’s too prevalent and recently lacking originality.
Hats off, however, to the proposal of this British Act which can easily help make the horses of your car run, preferably at night and on some straight line.
By kissarmy
The revolution is called 'Tears Don’t Fall'... a song with a melancholic riff, but just one scream from Matthew Tuck is enough to give a different twist.
'Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow' reveals itself as a small masterpiece.
