Review – Black Veil Brides – We Stitch These Wounds

Ok, so this album came out last summer. I know that. But, it is not until now that Black Veil Brides have started to make significant waves in the industry, particularly over in the UK. Their time clearly looks like it is about to be now though. They are getting coverage everywhere, playing some high profile shows, and are getting their names out there. There second album is due to drop sometime this summer, and with the buzz around them, along with the hype of this debut, now that people are finally getting to hear it, everything seems in place for them to take the mainstream, and establish them as the next big thing in the process.

We Stitch These Wounds is an excellent record from start to finish, so much so, that I am hard pushed to pick a stand out track, because they are all just that good.

The albums intro The Outcasts (Call to Arms) sets the tone for what is to come, announcing that “ this record is for the outcasts”, before kicking into We Stitch These Wounds. What follows is a masterclass of heavy rock, and metalcore influences, with the hits coming thick and fast. Beautiful Remains is subsequently followed by Children Surrender, and then the one-two shot of singles Perfect Weapon and Knives and Pens, tracks for which Black Veil Brides have made videos for last year. There really is no downtime on this album at all. Mortician’s Daughter is a slower and more reflective song, but is still utterly essential, before All Your Hate brings the up tempo rock back around.

It is consistent throughout, and that is to BVB’s credit.

At times this evokes images of early Avenged Sevenfold, had they rubbed up against, and made babies with Escape The Fate. However, BVB are of a style all their own, and although there are similarities in places to those two acts, they are a helluva rock beast in their own right. There are choruses, solos, riffs, screams, the lot. Everything you could want in a great modern rock record is here, and their star is firmly in the ascent.

Their sophomore album could may well make or break these boys from Cincinnati, Ohio, but the smart money is on them becoming one of the next generation of big name rock acts. Arenas beckon (see my spotlight feature on them above), and they will grab you along for the ride on their way straight to the top.

A stunning body of work. Essential.

10/10