Valentine's music

No this post is not what you think it's going to be.  This is not about romantic music - it's about two bands that both ROCK and both happen to have "Valentine" in their name.  There is a glut of heavy music out there, and unfortunately there are some really cool bands who are getting lost in the shuffle.  These are but two examples:

• Bullet for My Valentine, Scream, Aim, Fire:  What a title!  I bought this album mainly because they're from Wales and I have a good friend from Wales.  They land in kind of a no man's land between the Avenged/metalcore type thing and the power metal of, say, Dragonforce.  I kind of rolled my eyes at first because I'm not really into the power metal thing.  But it just grows on you and stays with you.  There's something oddly endearing about the Welsh accent gang vocal shouting "OVER THE TOP!" on the title track. If you like both the newer screamo/metalcore stuff AND old school Iron Maiden you will love it.  I'd give this about 3 1/2 stars out of 5.  It's been in heavy rotation for me as of late.
• Twelve Gauge Valentine, Shock Value:  I've had this album for months and only now has it gotten under my skin enough to make a good assessment.  I love it.  Good old Southern metal like a stagecoach from hell that burns down the whole dang town.  If you like Maylene, you'll be all about this stuff.  I can't quite describe it - it's not quite as catchy as the Maylene, but it also somehow feels a little more authentic.  Apprarently the band recently broke up.  Well, R.I.P., Twelve Gauge Valentine!  Great stuff.  Solid 4 out of 5.

So there you have it.  If you have a refined metal palette like I do, get to it.  Buy these records.  If not, keep on enjoying the Sting and Strauss...

Comments

[Daniel Ross]

BFMV was at a side stage when I went to see a radio station festival in Indy a few years back. I was impressed with them. I think what they have going for them is the emphasis on melodies that so many other heavy bands don't have.

PLUS LOTS OF PINCH HARMONICS!!!!!!!! :-)

[Mark Lee]

Totally dig Killswitch Engage. Some of Bullet for My Valentine would fall in that same vein, esp. the vocal delivery.

[Zack]

You ever listen to any Killswitch Engage? Songs like End of Heartache, Arms of Sorrow, & When Darkness Falls really define their sound. A little screamo but not completely.

[Melanie]

Metal music is fine with me, although I'm not too crazy about screamo. I almost went to see Bullet for My Valentine a little over a year ago. Skillet was opening for them, and they were the headliner, so I've heard of them. My daughter wanted to see Bullet for My Valentine, and I was going to go to see Skillet. There was illness and it was cancelled. I just can't get into screamo... a scream here and there is ok for me, just not the main vocals. I think it's good that you enjoy a diversity in music, though. :)

[marg]

Ripper! You fixed the weird word thing. Thank you!!