Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar), Jason James (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Michael Thomas (drums). They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released; two of these tracks were reworked later in their career as Bullet for My Valentine. Financial difficulties dictated the name change, which was followed by a change in music direction. In 2002, the band secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG. The band has stated that their music is influenced by classic heavy metal acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.
Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released on 3 October 2005 in the United Kingdom and on 14 February 2006 in the United States to coincide with Valentine's Day. The album entered the Billboard 200 in the US at number 128. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The band made appearances at the Download Festival and Kerrang! XXV, and undertook a US tour with Rob Zombie. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, Scream Aim Fire, was released on 29 January 2008 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The band's third album, Fever, will be released on 27 April 2010. The band has sold over two million albums worldwide.
The Poison (2005–07)
 | According to Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net, "Tears Don't Fall"'s "twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo launch the track out of mediocrity".[5] |
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |
Scream Aim Fire (2007–08)
Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, Scream Aim Fire, was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios and was produced by Colin Richardson.[18] Tuck commented at the time, "It's a lot more up tempo, a lot more aggressive".[19] The album was released in the US on 29 January 2008.[20] It sold 53,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200.[21] Three songs were released as singles: "Scream Aim Fire", "Hearts Burst into Fire", and "Waking the Demon".In support of the new album, the band toured North America and Australia in the spring of 2008 for the Taste of Chaos tour alongside Atreyu, Blessthefall, and Avenged Sevenfold. Bullet for My Valentine cut short the Canada portion of the tour and flew back home to support the daughter of James who was in hospital.[22] The band performed in North America again in the summer of 2008 as part of the No Fear Tour with Bleeding Through, Cancer Bats, and Black Tide.[23] In late 2008, the band toured Europe, supported by Lacuna Coil, Bleeding Through, and Black Tide.[24] In December 2008, Scream Aim Fire was re-released with four bonus tracks that were recorded during the album's studio sessions, but with re-recorded vocal-lines.[25]
Fever (since 2009)
Matt Tuck spoke to Daniel Marez of Metal Hammer in March 2009 about the band's progress on writing and recording their third album. He stated that there were four or five songs that were finished and that "usually we write and record 14 tracks that I then have to write vocal lines for, but this time I’m trying to write the vocals as I write the music".[25] Bullet for My Valentine confirmed in August 2009 that they were aiming for an early 2010 release for the new album, while Tuck stated that the upcoming record is "a lot more mature-sounding, it's a lot more classic. It'll stand the test of time [more] than both the previous things we've done".[26] In a January 2010 interview with Rock Sound, frontman Matt Tuck said the planned release date for Fever, the 11-track album is in late April 2010. He also said the album would sound more like The Poison than Scream Aim Fire and would contain no ballads.[27]During the summer of 2009, Bullet for My Valentine toured across the United States as part of the Mayhem Festival,[28] alongside Killswitch Engage, Slayer, and Marilyn Manson on the main stage;[29] they also appeared on the UK leg of the Sonisphere tour at Knebworth, headlining the second stage.[30] The band will be headlining the second stage at the Download Festival 2010 on the Friday night.[31] The band has also been confirmed for Nova Rock,[32] Metaltown,[33] Rock am Ring,[34] Rock on the Range,[35] The Bamboozle,[36] Bilbao Live Festival,[37] Fortarock[38] and Graspop.[39] In addition, they will be playing alongside the Big Four on the Greek leg of Sonisphere.[40]
The album will be available on 27 April 2010 and will be titled Fever.[41] A free download of a new track called "Begging For Mercy" was released on the band's website on 14 February, 2010 as part of a Twitter promotion.[42] The song "Your Betrayal" was chosen as the lead single for the album and was set to release on 9 March 2010, but, unexpectedly, was released earlier on 2 March 2010 as a digital single on iTunes Store. The second single is called "The Last Fight" and will be released on 19 April. The album artwork for this studio album was released on the official website on 5 March 2010.[41]
Bullet for My Valentine have announced the start their US tour in support of Fever will begin on 30 April with the bands Airbourne and Chiodos as support.[43]
On 12 March the band released the music video for "The Last Fight".
On 15 March 2010, the band revealed the track listing on their website as well as other various sources that include an email to all of their subscribers on the mailing list.[44]
On 12, April, 2010, the music video for Your Betrayal was released.[45]
On 26 April 2010, the band will play a secret show in London to celebrate the release of Fever. This will be their only UK headline show until the end of the year.[46]
Style and influences
Bullet for My Valentine's music has been described by critics as metalcore,[41][47] heavy metal,[48][49] and thrash metal.[50][51] The band has cited being influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Stuck Mojo, Slayer, Judas Priest, and Megadeth.[52] These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies" according to Thomas.[53] The band themselves consider their music as hard rock and two of their albums; The Poison and Fever as having "super dark" tone[54] with Tuck went on to state that "…we’re a hard rock band with metal influences, and I’ve said that from Day One.”[27] Kirk Miller of Decibel Magazine praised the band for the effort in synchronised song structures.[55] When asked of their views on their looks, members of the band have stated that they would not change their sound or image for a commercial approach; Tuck commented that, "Without sounding harsh, we're more interested in what our music sounds like than what our fucking hair looks like."[56]
Sharing is Sexy !
About the Author
