Album Review: 'Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones' by Black Veil Brides

Damn, these boys are awesome! Remember when I mentioned I am still sceptic about them when ‘In the End’ came out? Things have changed since; this first single of the new album has grown on me, I ended up watching interviews on YouTube simply out of boredom (thank you for your existence, Bryan Stars) and finally, my friend made me listen to ‘Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones’ yesterday.

Mind = blown.

Everyone knows, the album tells a story – if you didn`t, then you know now. I already liked this idea before I got to listen to the whole thing. This means it is not only few random tracks put together to make an album but there are elements –the church, rebels/Wild Ones, F.E.A.R. - on the songs that return back constantly to create one piece of art. Black Veil Brides did this brilliantly. Bonus points on how each of the songs is linked together and on the classical music elements as the violin.

After the few words of intro, the album kicks off with an energetic “Here we go!” shout on ‘I am Bulletproof’. ‘New Years Day’ and the title song ‘Wretched and Divine’ keep this exuberant zest.

You could easily think, the rebellious ‘We Don`t Belong’ is a The Used song and this feeling keeps coming back during the verses and later. ‘Devil`s Choir’ stands the closest to the band`s 80`s metal inspiration with its massive guitar riffs just like the guitar solo on ‘Resurrect the Sun’.

I wish I could hear the tunes of ‘Overture’ at a real church when I go once in a decade because it`s beautiful and together with the dark toned ‘Shadows Die’ the whole church thing would suddenly become much more interesting… and outrageous. At the point when you have totally forgotten about The Used reference, there comes Bert McCracken to create bigger craziness on ‘Days Are Numbered’. I have never thought I can hear ballads on this album so ‘Done for You’ was a totally surprise. It works like a lullaby and refreshing to my previously smashed hearing by the other songs. Ain`t no rest for the wicked; ‘Nobody`s Hero’ is another killer track. ‘Lost It All’ is yet again a lyrical piece but more powerful and emotional than ‘Done For You’ was and Juliet Simms (of ">Automatic Loveletter; also ended up as one of the finalists on the 2nd season of The Voice) is doing a spectacular guest appearance on the song. The heyday of the record to me when I hear Andy Biersack and Juliet singing together; it`s full of passion. There is ‘In the End’ for the final. It summarizes the story of the Wild Ones and with its intro and outro, gives a perfect conclusion for the album. But, did the rebels in the story win? You have to listen to the album to find out…

There is only one thing that annoys me: Biersack sounds like freakin` Chad Kroeger. How is that possible?! Don`t get me wrong, I`m not saying it`s Nickelback because clearly isn`t, but their voices are so similar.

I have not listened to other Black Veil Brides albums in its entirety besides the actual singles BUT I strongly recommend this album to every BVB-sceptic person on this planet because these five guys have talent - and the help of John Feldman this time. It really doesn`t matter how do musicians look like, it`s all about the music. Look at Nicky Minaj, she dresses ridicu…oh wait, such a wrong example…

Now, I only wish I could be at two places at the same time when the UK leg of their tour arrives to London and All Time Low are having a London show (what I already got the ticket for) on the 15th February as well. Can I just hang out with both bands after the concerts? *dreams*

What do you think about the new Black Veil Brides record? Did you get what you expected?