Bullet For My Valentine Self-Titled Review: Track-By-Track Breakdown
Bullet For My Valentine have returned to their heavy roots! Some suggest that the band have lost their edge after their 2010 album “Fever”. While none of their albums have been full duds by any means, it was evident that their golden days were behind them by 2013. Fans first got a glimpse of the band returning to heavy music with the current album’s lead single “Knives”. While this single was indeed heavy, there was no evidence that the record would keep this energy going. However the band continued to provide such evidence with heavy singles such as “Parasite” and “Shatter”. But do the metalcore behemoths succeed in reclaiming their metal throne? I will discuss if this return to form pays off in the current review. So let’s jump on in and break it down in this Bullet For My Valentine Self-Titled track-by-track album review.
FFO: Trivium, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Escape The Fate
Listen to: Death By A Thousand Cuts, Paralysed, No Happy Ever After, Parasite
Bullet For My Valentine is:
Matthew Tuck – vocals, rhythm guitar
Michael “Padge” Paget – lead guitar, backing vocals
Jamie Matthias – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jason Bowld – drums
Their Socials:
Bullet For My Valentine Track-By-Track Review
Parasite
Bullet For My Valentine kick-off their self-titled album in the most appropriate way possible. “Parasite” begins with an intro that takes the listener on a trip down memory lane. The intro consists of past Bullet For My Valentine tracks played through a radio filter. Long-time fans will recognize the songs “Waking The Demon”, “Your Betrayal”, “Hand Of Blood”, “Tears Don’t Fall”, “You Want A Battle Here’s A War”, Piece Of Me”, “No Way Out”, “Scream Aim Fire”, and “Don’t Need You” as the intro cycles through the tracks. This intro isn’t featured in the single version of the song, so this was a pleasant surprise to hear while listening to the full record. I thought this was a nice touch and it actually had me feeling really nostalgic for the band’s past.
We shouldn’t focus on the past too much though, as a new Bullet For My Valentine album is here! The intro ends with vocalist Matt Tuck screaming “you fucking parasite!” as the riffs kick in and the frenzy begins. This heavy beginning is that much sweeter after the slow-burn and emotion-inducing introduction to the album. The song features hardly any singing, as Matt doesn’t sing his first line until the chorus over three minutes into the song. This chorus isn’t phoned in either, as it is really catchy and matches the energy of the overall track.
Parasite Sets The Tone For The Self-Titled Album
The band continue to flex their return-to-form by executing an exhilarating guitar solo – it isn’t a Bullet For My Valentine album without one – and closing out the track with a longer rendition of the chorus. The band isn’t just heavier, they are more of themselves. I find the introduction track to perfectly prepare the listener for what this self-titled album is all about. While “Parasite” doesn’t have the catchiest chorus, best solo, or heaviest breakdown of the record, it definitely sets the tone for the record.
Knives
“Knives” was the lead single for the album that had fans bracing themselves for a heavier record. No one knew – at the time -that the album would live up to the standard set by the track. The song is about as heavy as Bullet For My Valentine get. Even the chorus is screamed! Oddly enough, this single may be the heaviest song on the whole album. Typically the lead single is usually a safe track that is radio accessible, but the band was here to set the record straight with this one. If Bullet For My Valentine had the intention of setting a heavy tone for the record, they definitely picked the right track.
Despite the obvious vocal improvements displayed by vocalist Matt Tuck, the star of the show here are the instrumentals. The drum work by Jason Bowld is incredible here – as well as throughout the record – and I find myself focusing on the drums. There is a lot going on with the drums, but it is the good kind of busy. They only add to the heaviness the track works so hard to display. The band are at their best here for the most part, I cannot find a single flaw within the performance. However, despite these complements, I am partial to well-balanced Bullet For My Valentine tracks with a powerful and triumphant chorus. “Knives” is a fantastic heavy banger – and it is pretty close to perfect for what it is – but I am hungry for a big chorus. Fortunately the record has plenty of these to come.
My Reverie
The first non-single from the self-titled album is here. “My Reverie” is one of those tracks where you don’t really know what you’re about to get. The intro to the track is calm and reminds me of some of their work from “Scream Aim Fire”. The riff gains more momentum and rolls with it until crashing to a halt. The song starts off with a calm and haunting verse with some occasional screams for emphasis. At first I didn’t really know where the song was going, but I was intrigued at the very least.
The chorus is where things get exciting though. It contains a powerful mix between triumphant screams and some classic sounding sang lines by Matt. The excitement doesn’t stop here though, as following the second chorus is a breakdown and solo at the same time! The drum work here is – once again – incredibly well-done and energetic, and it is only complemented by the shreddy solo. While the song isn’t an album highlight to me in full, the last half of the track sure is. The song ends with yet another heavy bit and it leaves me wanting more.
No Happy Ever After
Now this is what I have been waiting for. “No Happy Ever After” is the perfectly balanced song that I crave from Bullet For My Valentine. The song immediately starts with more of that drum work I am so obsessed with before the main riff kicks in and guides us to the first verse. Right off the bat the song is heavy and in your face. At first I thought we just had another “Parasite” and “Knives” on our hands. This isn’t the case however, as the song has more to it than being just another heavy track.
The chorus is incredibly strong. I find the track to be one of the band’s best songs. This track fits in with the overarching sound of the record, but a hear hints of “The Poison” era of the band. The chorus sounds straight out of 2006 and I love it. The thrashy verse and classic melodic metalcore chorus complement each other well, and I find the song utterly addictive.
The chorus even sounds heavy thanks to the instrumentals! Blast beats can be heard during the chorus and it adds some real grit to it. Heck, there is borderline a breakdown during the chorus and it is highlighted and built upon after the second chorus. The breakdown once again leads into a solo and I love it. I find “No Happy Ever After” to be one of the best songs on the self-titled album. I can see myself listening to this one for a long time to come.
Can’t Escape The Waves
Following “No More Happy Endings” – a song I can’t say enough about – is a song I don’t have much to say about. “Can’t Escape The Waves” is one of those tracks that has pieces of greatness sprinkled throughout it, but the song as a whole doesn’t catch my attention. The intro had my interests and the first riff is energetic and headbang worthy.
Unfortunately, the energy doesn’t really last outside of this main riff. The verses of the song is calm and the chorus is on the more emotional side, but I don’t think they really go well with the main riff. The verses and chorus aren’t bad by any means, but I feel like the addictive main riff is held back quite a bit here. Additionally, the verses are really similar and I find the structure of the track to get old quickly.
I don’t think I necessary needed the track to be heavier, as the main riff has that covered, but something just feels like it is missing here. Between that and the repetitive nature of the song, I can’t help but consider this track more on the filler side. I do still think the track is worth listening to during album playthroughs, as I enjoy the main riff that much.
Bastards
“Bastards” is definitely my least favorite track on the record. This mainly due to my personal taste. I have never been partial to chanty, army-marching tracks from bands, and this is exactly what the song is. I will say that they do it well, but one of the biggest strengths of the self-titled album is how cohesive it is. “Bastards” switches things up, but not in a manner that I enjoy. I will say that the chorus is pretty solid for what it is. There is also a small breakdown and solo near the end of the track, but it doesn’t do too much for me either.
Honestly, I would probably enjoy the song more if it just wasn’t so long. The track runs in at five minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest track on the album excluding “Parasite” with the intro attached. Once again, the track isn’t bad by any means, I just find the start of the album to be much stronger than this middle portion. The song is currently the most popular song from the album according to the band’s Spotify page, so what do I know? Maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I do! I will admit that I still haven’t skipped the song on my many playthroughs, so the self-titled album is still a “no-skips album” by my standards.
Rainbow Veins
Out of every single used to promote the band’s self-titled album, this one is the most accessible. “Rainbow Veins” starts off mellow and haunting, and the track has more in common with nu-metal than the band’s typical flavor of metalcore. The end of the verse features blast beats which add some contagious energy to the ominous verse. Have I mentioned enough that I love the drumming on this album? The chorus is pretty solid too. There are some better choruses on the album, but this one is still great in its own right.
I have to say that the little blast beats at the end of both verses really make the song for me. I almost wish they just went all in on that aspect of the song. Adding some spice to these melancholic verses adds a lot of flavor to the track. The instrumentals are strong in this track and it excels it above the average metalcore radio-single track. There is also a short but fast-tempo breakdown in the song. This breakdown also helps the song standout. Bullet For My Valentine managed to write an accessible – yet still heavy – track that can appeal to any listener. Fortunately the album only keeps this energy going, so fasten your seatbelt!
Shatter
Like “Parasite” before it, “Shatter” also contains an intro not heard in the single version of the track. The intro continues the dreamy and floaty sound of “Rainbow Veins” and let’s it soar. This intro starts off sounding more like a Sleep Token song than a Bullet For My Valentine track. This intro is nice and all, but what comes next is exhilarating. Matt disturbs the peace by screaming out the heavy chorus of the track. “Shatter” was originally released as yet another heavy single. The amount of heavy tracks used to promote the album was surprising. They picked wisely though, as this is another standout track from the record.
The headbang-worthy main riff in the chorus really complements the heavy – yet somehow catchy – growls found within it. I find the track to be so exhilarating that it flies by in an instant. “Shatter” may just be one of the easiest tracks on the record to listen to. The only part of the track I can’t get into is the bridge. Rather than another breakdown, the band experiment with some chanting. I find this chanting not to match the energy or flow of the track, and it merely adds to the runtime and brings down the energy. Regardless, this is a great track and I find it quite addictive.
Paralysed
Earlier I mentioned that the album keeps the energy going, and “Paralysed” is no exception. In fact, the track may be one of the most energetic – and best – tracks on the album. Seriously, this track may just be one of the best examples of balanced metalcore I have ever heard. I am not even sure how this song will end up sounding live, but I sure hope it makes future setlists. The song starts with a classic “oh” screamed out by Matt and thrashy riffs carry on until the first verse. The energy is here right from the start. The whole first verse is an onslaught of screams and growls, and they are some of the best performed ones on the album at that.
The heaviness of the track isn’t even the star here though. The chorus is fantastic! I have had it stuck in my head since my first experience with the record. It is so catchy and it only adds to the overall track. The chorus even ends with an impressive solo. This song really has it all!
A Great Track That Only Gets Better And Better
Every great metalcore chorus needs some fantastic verses surrounding it though, and this song nails that as well. The second chorus is even better than the first one in my opinion, and features some low growls. I still – as of writing – am not sure if it is even Matt performing those low growls. That’s how vocally diverse this track is. The vocals don’t get all the credit though, as the instrumentals shine just as bright. Just when you think the song couldn’t possibly push itself further, one of the best breakdowns of the album hits like a freight train. The breakdown features an addictive riff, punishing blast beats, and high screams. One of the best tracks just got better.
I think this could be one of the best Bullet For My Valentine songs in years. The catchy chorus never gets old, and I find myself enjoying it all the way until its final run. Throw in a great solo and a fantastic breakdown and you’ve got yourself a new classic track from the band. So how do you top this? Fortunately the band ends their self-titled album with another absolute banger.
Death By A Thousand Cuts
Let me tell you, Bullet For My Valentine self-titled goes out with one hell of a bang. Just as I was thinking that “Paralysed” could be my favorite song of the album, it ends up the band saved the best for last. An exhilarating album comes to an end with “Death By A Thousand Cuts”. This is a song that not only represents the theme and sound of the record, but it may even be the best song to represent the album as a whole.
“Death By A Thousand Cuts” is one of those rare songs where everything just comes together perfectly. The song starts off with a faded version of the chorus until the heaviness kicks in. The track is well balanced with an additive chorus surrounded by heavy mayhem at all times. Bullet For My Valentine excel greatly with this track. Everything they try within this song works incredibly well. The verses pack a punch, the chorus is infectious by all means, and the solo towards the end is one of the best from the albums. Each of these components are great on their own, but the fact that this song compiles them into one great four and a half minute track makes it that much better. I find this track to be flawless and a perfect representation for the band.
Ending their self-titled album on such a high note was a great move by the band. It not only left me completely satisfied with the record, but it left me hungry for more. Most albums lose momentum by the end of the record, but I find the ending of this record to be one of the best in recent memory. I did not expect the album to end with two of my favorite tracks of 2021 back-to-back. I applaud the band for going all out and delivering a satisfying ending that doesn’t even rely on previously heard singles. Bullet For My Valentine are back, and I find the album to speak for itself in terms of its quality.
Closing Thoughts:
Bullet For My Valentine picked a great album to represent the band. The self-titled album is a wonderful return-to-form that features all the melodic and soaring choruses and exhilarating metalcore verses that the band are known for. The album is so consistent – outside of a couple of tracks in the middle – that it may be their most cohesive work to date. I think “The Poison” still holds the gold, but this record is close behind. It is that much more impressive when you consider that the golden days for the band were long behind them at this point. At the very least, the self-titled album is a glorious and triumphant comeback album that does not hold back. I find it quite inspiring that a band can still kick so much ass so late into their career.
The album starts and ends on such a high note, that I can’t help but feel impressed with the album. Additionally, I find many of the non-singles to be some of the best material on the record. This is a testament to the song writing and quality of the entire album. There is something inspiring and heart-warming about seeing bands like Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium releasing such energetic albums this year. While the self-titled album isn’t my new favorite Bullet For My Valentine record, it easily is their best since their third album, “Fever”. I don’t expect a band to consistent surpass themselves till the end of time, so this is more than enough for me. The band officially have my attention again, and I look forward to hearing more in the future.
Final Verdict: 9/10 Shells
Metal Shell Reacts To Bullet For My Valentine | Self-Titled Album
Want to see what I thought about “Bullet For My Valentine” in real-time? Please check out the video below to see how this album blew me away!
Bullet For My Valentine CD And Vinyl
If you enjoy physical albums as much as I do, follow the link below and pick yourself up a copy of Bullet For My Valentine! Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never recommend a product or service I don’t have 100% faith in. Additionally, you can find a link to the MP3 purchase if you prefer to support music that way. Happy listening!
Need More Metalcore In Your Life?
Need more metalcore in your life? I recommend you check out my Wage War Manic Track-By-Track album review. Wage War also had a great return-to-form record, and it is easily one of my favorite metalcore albums of 2021. In the article, I breakdown each and every track from the band’s heavy new record in-depth. So check that out down below if you’re interested!
If you need more metalcore goodness, additionally I recommend you check out my Spiritbox Eternal Blue track-by-track review. In the article, I breakdown every track from the band’s incredibly hyped up and critically acclaimed debut record in-depth. So check that out down below if you’re interested!
Looking for more music like Bullet For My Valentine? Look no further than our official modern metal playlist. The Spotify playlist features several of the latest tracks by the band, as well as other highly recommended modern bangers! Check it out down below and be sure to follow the playlist if you like what you hear. I update it weekly, so you won’t miss a thing!
What did you think of my Bullet For My Valentine self-titled review? Did you enjoy the new album? Please share your thoughts down in the comments.
