Rough Edge: Black Veil Brides CD Reviews

BLACK VEIL BRIDES

"IV" (Lava/Universal Republic; 2015)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

Black Veil Brides are a combination of KISS and Motley Crue, stage-wise, at least. They don black leather, wear their hair long and keep Max Factor black eye liner in their pockets for that much needed touch up before meeting with fans. Good thing they can back it up with their music and don't have to worry about the 'poser' label being affixed to their band. This is their fourth disc (hence the "IV" Roman numeral on this otherwise known as self-titled album) and, speaking of Romans, Black Veil Brides is a Roman Catholic term used for when a woman marries into the church and gives up all the pleasures of life to devote her life to God. She is then deemed a Black Veil Bride. Now you know.

The music is heavy. The lead singer doesn't have a high voice; he has more of a baritone flavor in his delivery. The lyrics are dark and they deal with the struggles of life but the emo element isn't the theme. The lead guitar has some cool licks and the guitar solos lean towards glam rock and metalcore. These guys are tight and to some they might be a guilty pleasure but I can honestly say that I really like the band. I've listened to a lot of their music and it sounds good. Plus, these guys have been around since 2006 so they must be doing something right. Hard rock always needs a punching bag and BVB have taken their licks and still keep to the stage.

BVB: Andy Biersack - lead vocals; Jake Pitts - lead guitar; Jeremy 'Jinxx' Ferguson - rhythm guitar, backing vocals, violin; Ashley Purdy - bass guitar, backing vocals; Christian 'CC' Coma - drums, percussion.

For more information about the band, check out http://www.blackveilbrides.net and https://www.facebook.com/Blackveilbrides.

"Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones" (Lava/Universal Republic; 2013)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

This is my second review of a Black Veil Brides CD. I started with their newest disc and now I'm working my way back to the source.

"Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones" is a rock opera concept album. As if the album title wasn't a mouthful already, this disc has nineteen tracks -- not all of them are songs though. Six of them are spoken intros and talk about how God can be found in all places. The disc is broken into two acts: Part 1 - Hope, Part 2 - Faith.

I'll have to admit, I first heard about this band when I was a Six Flags. A group of singers and dancers were performing the lead single, "In the End," for a Halloween show. The guitar sounded cool so, with this neat invention called the internet, I looked them up and started my listening phase. My lean is towards the guitar because it's got glam slathered all over it. The solos are blisteringly fast at times but very melodic, the lead singer doesn't really belt out the tunes like you'd expect but he's got a great voice for the band.

Since Jinxx, the lead guitarist, cut his teeth on classical music you'll hear a lot of layers in his playing. He's what brings the listener in. The rest of the band helps with back-up vocals so you've got a full sound and plenty of rock to keep you interested. The break between the two acts is a string arrangement done by Jinxx. The whole disc clocks in at 51:08 but it's got enough meat to fill up an hour of music.

BVB: Andy Biersack - vocals; Jake Pitts - guitar; Jinxx - guitar, strings; Ashley Purdy - bass; Christian Coma - drums.

For more information - http://www.blackveilbrides.net.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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