BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE – Temper Temper

Label: RCA Records

Release Date: February 11, 2013

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: ToddStar

Bullet For My Valentine is one of those bands that delivers what you expect.  Predictable? Maybe.  “Breaking Point” opens the disc in the same way the last couple discs from these guys opened.  The music and riffs are similar, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  The song features the sonic impact the band is known for.  “Truth Hurts” opens with the quintessential BFMV riff.  The song is like so many others, without being a rip off or repetitive.  The vocals and guitar play back and forth and help solidify the sound of the band.  “Temper Temper” was the first single released.  Much like the other tracks here, it is what one expects to hear from these guys, with one twist.  It seems more radio friendly than what we are accustomed to.  The guitars and vocals are standard fare for the group, while the rhythm section seems to branch out a little and give the song a different vibe with some tempo changes.  “P.O.W.” is more like the last track, in that it has some tempo changes that are different from what the band has done historically.  It gives the disc a little depth.  “Dirty Little Secret” features a fret board intro along with some killer tribal drums.  The song soon morphs into a one of the coolest tracks on the disc.  The lead vocals vary in style and give the song character.

“Leech” has a killer drum intro along with some great guitar work.  This song seems to have a stronger bass line than most tracks here.  The songs vocals are very anthemic and should go over well live.  “Dead to the World” gives the disc another face.  The guitars that open the track seem less hell bent and more melodic than we are accustomed to from these guys.  Matt and Padge have outdone themselves on this track.  “Riot”  is the second single to be released.  This is balls out rock from the opening note until the final one less than three minutes later.  The vocals accurately match the lyrics.  The tone and mood of the music are as big a part of the storytelling as the lyrics are.  “Saints & Sinners” is the more typical BFMV tune.  The guitars and drum open the track and soon the bass is pounding the back beat   Eventually the vocals kick in and help put all the pieces together.  “Tears Don’t Fall (Part 2)” is an extension that helps tie the latest disc to the first disc and show how far the band has come.  Fans will recognize the music from the track of the same name from the debut disc, while the lyrics have changed.  “Livin’ Life (On the Edge of a Knife)” closes the disc with the same fire and tenacity the disc opened with.  The track leaves nothing on the table – it rocks from open to close and takes no prisoners along the way.  This is one of the best BFMV songs that will never become a hit or live staple.

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Category: CD Reviews