Run, For, Cover.
I really don’t like the fact that BFMV have a quote from ‘The Sun’ newspaper on their press release; personally I think that sums up everything that’s wrong with this album and makes me take them less seriously. It’s not exactly the most level headed and objective of publications; and not really renowned for its music reviews; it makes me wonder • if they’ve resorted to putting this on their press info, is the best review they’ve had?
OK, so now BFMV are some kind of mainstream metal dynamo I’m supposed to lick their arses, and seriously, I want too because they promised us so much, but, and yes you knew there was a ‘but’ coming, this album doesn’t really deliver. It’s not crap by any means, just very derivative and standard. The same thing happened with Trivium; we all assumed that they would take proper metal to a new generation of fans and in the end just ended up as a Metallica tribute band with too many melodic sing along ballads. A similar fate seems to have befallen BFMV, although unfortunately they’ve become a simulacrum; copying not the original Metallica but Trivium and Killswitch Engage, I challenge you to spot the difference.
All that said, it is hard to hate this record; it’s actually an enjoyable listening experience because the tunes are catchy and emotive, especially poppy tracks like ‘Hearts Burst Into Fire’ and (Killswitch homage) ‘Waking The Demon’, they really make you want to pogo or head-bang with abandon. To be honest, if that’s what you’re after, this album is going to be the only album you’ll ever need; filled with energy, complex if familiar riffs and very, very melodic.
I know I’ve been quite harsh, but I expected more from this band and there is something criminal about them squandering this opportunity to make an interesting and quirky second album while they have a strong fan base to bank on; playing it safe just seems like a cop out. But perhaps this is the band they want to be • melodic, catchy and poppy with an old school heavy metal edge, if that’s the case, who am I to judge.