Released: Jan 8, 2013
Genre: Glam Metal, Hard Rock
Label: Lava, Universal Republic
Number Of Tracks: 19
"Wretched And Divine" is a very ambitious concept album that seems to really be coming together well at some points, and falling a little short at others. Overall, I think the album is definitely worth checking out.
Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild OnesFeatured review by: UG Team, on january 08, 2013 5 of 10 people found this review helpful
Sound: Black Veil Brides are still a fairly new act, having signed their first contract under the name Black Veil Brides in 2009, though they have existed in some form or another since 2006. They came straight out of the gate just straight up taking aesthetic aspects of KISS’s and Motley Crue’s stage personas while still in the process of hammering out their own individual sound. They have remained extremely active since that time, with this being the third full length studio album they have released since that time. Their only remaining founding member is vocalist and keyboardist, Andy Biersack. Their lineup has remained stable since late 2010, however. You can definitely tell that Black Veil Brides step out of their comfort zone at places in this album, and this is where the album shines. There will be fans that will probably be put off with the more orchestrated and ambient elements of the album, but there is still a fair share of hard rock riffing going on. Honestly, their stage personas have been hard for me to overcome in order to enjoy their music, but this album shows at least the effort on their part to say something worth hearing. I hope moving forward that they continue to stretch their boundaries musically. While they initially came off as a very commercial group to me, I have to remember that really a lot of bands like The Who and The Beatles, started out as straight up pop bands.
To actually talk about the sound of the album, the composition works quite well and the "F.E.A.R. Transmission" spoken tracks really help create the proper mood to enjoy the album. The orchestration that is used is tastefully done, and the guitar playing is tight throughout the album. The drums do a really great job of holding the tracks together. The album is mixed very well overall with a full stereo mixed sound to it. While the album as a whole is definitely a concept album, the majority of the songs still seem they can stand on their own merits separately from the album. Black Veil Brides needed something to separate them from the myriad hard rock acts out there, and this album helps them in that respect much more than their costumes, hairspray and makeup. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Andy Biersack has a really solid rock voice which fits their genre really well, and Jinxx and Ashley provide solid backup vocals. While Andy’s voice isn’t super distinctive it is however a workhorse of a voice, providing the range needed and performing solidly on tours and doing extremely well for them on "Wretched And Divine". There is very little vocal processing used, outside of slight reverb or delay, but where it is used it is used to great effect. The lyrical themes seem to go into spirituality, the failure of society and then the general feeling of alienation experienced by people as they grow up.
As an example of the lyrics, here are some of the lyrics from "I Am Bulletproof": "Here we go/ Holding on to lies/ holding on to tides that vanish/ Cut the rope, and fall into the sky/ The Devil fills our minds with sadness/ The world's all gone, and I've been naming all my life/ Got some thing to live for, I know that I won't / Surrender/ A warrior of youth/ I'm taking over, a shock to the new world order/ I am bulletproof (x4)/ Here I go/ Another/ Another perfect sky I damage/ Now I know, just who created life/ And why I set my sigt to save it/ The world's all gone, and I've been naming all my life/ Got some thing to live for, I know that I won't surrender/ A warrior of youth/ I'm taking over, a shock to the new world order/ I am bulletproof/ And they say take this final breath, I ask him the truth/ I'm taking over, a shock to the new world order/ I am bulletproof". // 7
Impression: Just to be completely honest, I have not historically had a good attitude about Black Veil Brides and other bands that use a lot of pageantry in their performances, but as I’ve watched it seems as if Black Veil Brides has really grown into something more interesting than their stage personas. This album, "Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones" comes off as an epic concept album in the vein of "Tommy" or "Operation: Mindcrime". I’m not saying that every moment of the album was a raging success, but there was more success than failure when you listen to the album. I will continue to follow Black Veil Brides to see what they come out with next, and I definitely am intrigued by the direction they are going now. While early in the tracking of the albums they insinuated their release would be a mixture of punk rock and metal, their actual release is much more interesting than I anticipated. There are 19 tracks on the album, however 5 of these tracks are spoken word. The total runtime of the album is right around 52 minutes. There is supposedly a full length film in process as a companion to the album which will be called "Legion Of The Black", but which is not included with the album. So far it was screened a few dates in late December but should be seeing a DVD release in the near future as well as possibly being a pay per view event.
I too have avoided BVB because of their commercial friendliness and overtly mass appeal. No real artistic bravery, I think.
But going off this review, I think I'll give them a chance this time if they are actually doing something interesting with their music rather than making a wall of generic high-gain wank.
Dont be surprised then. Still the typical crap you would always know to find from these guys. Lead single sounds like 30 Seconds To Mars with he cheesy anthems.
No artistic bravery? Wuuuut? Their image is killing their reputation among people who have serious judgemental issues when it comes to looking at the way they present themselves. I mean come on, I heard Perfect Weapon or whatever it's called on Octane and I was BLOWN AWAY. I could not think of a band that sounded exactly the way they sounded and then I was shocked they were as out there as they are. This band actually taught me that image doesn't matter when you listen to music, it's about the expression of the music. Their image is just a cool thing to differentiate from all those bands that play live and just wear their normal average joe clothes kind of thing.
I swear, if we blindfolded everyone and played a random song by any band that is hated for their image, that people would maybe like their music until they saw said image.
I honestly don't think this is the best band in the world, but they are actually really great for a more mainstream hard rock type band.
One last thought that really gets me, People keep saying that they are sick of songs that are all like fml! Then these guys go and make a concept record like this one which appeals to the opposite of the sad stuff, that is supposed to be tailored to the live show and get the audience singing the anthemy stuff and that's no good either.
Not a fan of BVB. I'm not a bvb basher like a lotta metalheads, but I just can't get into them. Plus they're very feminine and it just looks like they're trying too hard, yet still sound bland and mediocre.
That said, I am a big fan of A7X. I know they get bashed a lot too and a few of them look pretty gay, but they do a lot of unique things that you just don't hear other bands do, they're one of the very VERY few newer bands that I like.
They didnt look that way to me when i saw them on warped back in the day, but nevertheless youre right. When it come to music looks shouldnt matter, but for these guys it does because thats how they got popular. The girls these days like guys that look like girls.
This CD had the lowest rating I've seen on this site, then i saw on tumblr a bunch of posts telling people to come here and vote now its up to a 5 haha how pathetic.
But I must say that calling them 'gay' is offensive to gay people, as gay people dont look or sound this silly.
Who the **** are you to judge people's lifestyle? If a teen wants to straighten his hair, what the **** of it? Your eyes clearly aren't that "wide open" if you use "gay" as an insult.
Actually with falling in reverse, ronnie and his old bandmate omar from escape the fate write their songs. The rest of the 'band' are just there to play the stuff live. But Jacky is indeed a good player and too good to be working with a mediocre musician and human being like ronnie.
target audience is 13-18 years girls..... what is alarming is they plaster these lyrics everywhere... i cannot imagine more "metal" cliches in one song
BVB has such a hollow sound, there is no substance to their music at all. The fact that Converge are in the same genre as these guys really shows the contrast in talent.
This is certainly NOT glam rock.
BVB are forever banging on about how they're "Kiss and Motley Crue" influenced, but at the end of the day they're just playing some watered down Bullet For My Valentine type metalcore.
The only Kiss influence they have is the makeup and they can't even get that right!
I dont know about this album but i heard a few breakdowns
in thier older stuff, that is a core infulce. There's also screamo-ish vocals. Plus metalcore esque riffing. Im NOT saying its good or defending it just syaing there is core influnce
People listen to much to the masses these days...
I'm not into this style at all, I'm more into the old style prog-rock stuff, and I honestly think BVB are probably the best at what they do, I don't like the music, but they don't deserve the hate they get.
Personally, I think it's a good album. I don't care what others think because everyone has different musical tastes. Some people think BVB are awful, some think they're good. They're only opinions.
i personally LOVE BVB idk why people are hating this album everyone loves Sevenfold(including me) but they hate BVB seriously theyre extremely similar who cares if they dress wierd? if Led Zepplin and Rush and The Beattles dressed this way people would still love them so stop hating BVB thank you!
Most people on this forum don't like A7x, just so you know.
Anyway, listened to 'In the End', my god that song is boring. It sounds the same as a lot of their other work. So generic. A7x's one saving grace is that at least they try and do different things occasionally by moving across different genres.
Umm... if you listen to BVB's albums We Stitch These Wounds and then Set The World On Fire and then Wretched And Divine...you definitely do hear a difference across each album -__-
If Led Zeppelin, Rush or the Beatles dressed this way, they still would have made highly influential music far better than that of BVB. So, yeah, people would still love them, but for good reason. People don't hate BVB for no reason.
They've made a huge step up since their first album. People should it a listen before bashing them down, because at the end of the day, at least they aren't One Direction or Justin Bieber!
I actually like the music but I have to agree, the vocalist is terrible...and whiney. He spends half the gigs talking crap about how he "had a rough time in high school" and that the "people who don't like us are jealous".
The first time that I heard/saw this band I knew that metal might be in trouble... Not because they're horrible (which they are) but because apparently there are younger kids who think that this IS actually metal. It's not.
I'm all for experimenting and evolving but this band is just an absolutely mindless, heartless, talentless load of crap dressed up in a shiny package so kids who don't know any better will buy it.
Black Veil Brides is One Direction with guitars and makeup. There is no difference.
I'm gonna go listen to some Slayer and try to forget that "bands" like this exist.
You should simply respect the opinions of others and don't comment if you have nothing nice to say. If I don't like a band, I don't go around commenting rude things on their videos or anything like that. It's rude. I understand that people don't like them, but the fact is, a lot of people do and people have to get over it.
I had never heard of them before, so I read this review, listened to the album and left a comment expressing my opinion. This is place to leave your comments and express your opinions. Some are good and some are bad. It is not rude. Grow some thicker skin and get over it.
Actually that's exactly what this place is for - discussing things music-related and sharing opinions. If you're afraid to get your feelings hurt go to the band's website or a fan page where everyone loves them. Otherwise, try respecting the fact that different people think in all kinds of different ways and everyone has a right to express that.
this is a an album review. Were commenting on an album and if we don;t like it we should be abel to voice that opinion. And these guys made an album and choose to realise it so there opening themselves up to critisism
I worked a show where this band was the opener. I thought, "hey, cool, they're using their image to promote gay rights and openness to the many realms of human sexuality" but then their singer started using the word "fag" over and over again to imitate what the audience must think of them up on the stage. Talk about a bunch of clowns.
They're like KISS. I respect them for what they're doing, but I cannot get into what they're doing fully. They have a few songs that I like, but its clearly mostly for that hot topic crowd.
I'll keep an eye on these guys because i think musically, they're talented and am interested to see where they go in a couple years.
Everyone else here whos being negative is reading into them a little too much. They're young and clearly having fun. This isn't the new Rush concept album...
And yes, lets all hear what the pseudo-internet celebrity-blogging, long haired, 22 year old metal head has to say about these guys.
Since his opinion is just as valid as taking this band "really" seriously.
This albums whole concept is very similar to My Chemical Romance's Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Which is also set in a post apocalyptic word. Where they are fighting against an evil corporation called s/c/a/r/e/c/r/o/w/ and they also have transmissions. Funny...
Sigh if that song is anything to go by they haven't changed at all and are just poor avenged sevenfold copyists who nicked Wasp and Motley Crue's dress sense
Honestly I don't think they'd get nearly as much hate if they had a different look and didn't have such an annoying fan base. Still nothing to write home about.
Obviously everyone is welcome to express their dislike for this band... all opinions are welcome. But can we stop calling them "gay"? The sign-up age for UG is 13, so everyone should have stopped using gay as an insult a long time ago.
UG, could you please get some reviewers that don't use words like "ambitious" to describe this stuff, who don't compare Black Veil Brides to The Who, The Beatles, and Queensryche (I have no objection to weird comparisons, but these are pretty unjustified), and who have some grasp of journalism and better grammar?
As for the music, I watched that video, and it wasn't quite as bad as I was expecting, though it's far from genius. It's pretty generic, and the vocals are awful. That said, it's mildly melodically interesting in some parts, and they're not totally untalented - the lead guitarist has some decent chops, though there's a ton of shred overkill here. That said, I can see why so many people hate them: the vocals; the image as a gimmick; the huge credit they're given by radio-metal fans; and the pompous *****-ness that the guitarists have given off in the interviews I've read with them.
Also, that lyric sample from "I Am Bulletproof" is horrendous. The lyrics look like they were written by a sixth-grader. "The devil fills our minds with sadness," really?
Okay, well I'm going to be the odd one out here...
I've been a BVB fan for almost a year now and my love for them has grown more and more. This album really blew my mind. It's the best record they've put out so far. I really don't know how they're going to top this.
The thing that really irritates me is the hate they get. They do not deserve it. BVB are not a horrible band, "heartless" and "untalented" like someone said on here. Look at Jinxx, he's a guitarist, pianist, and violinist. He grew up on classical music. And I'm pretty sure Jake is better than most of you here.
I really feel like I'm the only huge BVB on UG. That user rating of 4.3 is not right. You either hate BVB anyways and gave it a low rating, or based it off of In The End, which isn't even a horrible song. You want horrible, go listen to Blood On The Dance Floor.
Anyways, I love Black Veil Brides and I always will.~
BVB are an example of a band being perfectly marketed to rebellious teenagers.
It's also a worrying thought that people are going to start thinking that black metal bands who wear face paint and costumes are this watered down and safe.
Man, I don't even like BVBs but everyone is hating on them so hard core that I want to defend them. Their music isn't horrible. The vast majority of their back catalogue is a little boring, and it is like watered down radio metal, but this album I felt was a step in the right direction, even if they didn't completely escape their watered down metal moments.
This album is by far the best they've put out. I love this band and so do a lot of people I know. They've really changed my life and helped me through hard times. I just recently watched their movie about the album; Legion of the Black which was amazing as well. All I know is this: I'm 18, just got a BVB tattoo and love this band to the death and always will.
Ok I just wrote a huge paragraph about this and it didn't send so I'm just going to get right to the point, metal fans most likely will not like this album because it's rock and not metal BVB is a great band in my opinion and I lobe them bit that's just me so if you're int rock music its a great album.
Not the same thing at all dude. Don't be silly. Niggerish isn't an acceptable term to use. A hell of a lot of people have turned to using gay as insult and not all of those people are homophobes. Words can develop different meanings. Or you can ignore all this and remain on your high horse and complain about what you want people to have meant when they said a naughty word.
Probably not, since we, as a society, seem to place a lot of importance on making sure that what everyone else says is acceptable. I'll say what I want to who I want, and if it offends you, I guess you're offended.
As far as I see things, we can all complain as much as we want, but last time I checked...Madonna is still around after years of hate. We just have to hope they die.
When I first saw Black Veil Brides I automatically assumed they were in this business for the women, fame and fortune; after listening to their music, I can almost verify.
I'll give the band this much; they are all talented individuals, as reluctant as I am to admit it. But, I feel like their music keeps jumping around; they really have no clear idea what they want to achieve. It's like they got a band together and are still experimenting with what type of music they want to create...that or their producers are trying to figure out what sells more. I hate to seem so cynical, but I'm not sure this is a band I could trust, genre differences aside.
My biggest problem is that this album is so damn safe, they're not taking any risks with instrumentation, structure or anything else.
Occasionally some songs have some interesting elements like the beginning to Resurrect the Sun, but unfortunately they soon change into another radio-chorus.
Is it the worst album I have ever heard?
Not at all, but overall it didn't interest me at all
I got no issues with the outfits, I mean if I'm cool with what Gwar wears, I can accept this lol. That being said, I have absolutely no patience for bands that got this Anthemic-glam rock-pop vibe going. Bands like this or Escape the Fate that have no real interesting lyrics, and it's basically just ranting about adversity until the big soaring chorus comes in explaining how "I wont lose the fight" or in this case "Im not afraid to die".
I think a good portion of my feelings are because I'm closer to 30 than I am 20 and well I've just had my go-around with music like that already. I can imagine though that if a 15 yr old kid heard this and they're just starting to get into guitar-oriented music they would really like it the same way I enjoyed A7X's Tim Burton-esque song themes at that age.
I hate to be a party pooper about 'In the End'...but it's part of a story about some dude. This is the dude realising that he's ****ed up and is going to die. The song portrays this perfectly. It doesn't need to bring anything else lyrically. Just this guy, realising he's going to die and trying to go out with a brave face when actually he's ****ing terrified. It's brilliant, and I'm not even a BVB fan.
In The End as you fade into the night
Woah oh oh
Who will tell the story of your life
Woah oh oh
And who will remember your last goodbye
WOAH OH
Cause its the end
And Im not afraid
I'm not afraid to die
----
Nah man, it sounds like bad teenage poetry. You explained the song but that still doesn't change the fact that he's singing about tough times: "Through it all I have given my heart for a moment of glory" - yep sounds like he's talking about some sort of adversity. And what kicks in right after? The big sweeping chorus that I posted above.
I'm not saying that it's a horrific song, I'm just saying it's boring. Talking about overcoming some obstacle, big sing-along chorus, repeat, throw in a solo, repeat process until song ends.
That... was really boring... I mean, I was giving it a chance, but it really wasn't that interesting. The hooks were alright, they made my arm hairs stand up, but other than that, there was nothing going on. I mean, that guitar solo was flat. I'm not the only one that could hear that, right?
tell you what i love them yes they have haters yes they maybe girly but this is a concept album and holy crap its different but its them i will always be a bvb fan love u all plus in the end is AMAZING \m/
I'm getting grilled for this but it really isn't bad. Feel like BVB is a good gateway metal band. Young kids will hear this and gradually get into the heavier metal bands.
I honestly don't understand all the hate associated with this band. When I first heard them on Octane I was shocked when I saw one of their music videos but I have gotten over their whole image thing. I think it's great that they say they are the outcast type of people that just want to put an image to the music and be individuals. There's so many acts out there that are afraid to be who they want to be but I think BvB is a great exception.
Personally, I think that they validate this viewpoint by having a solid, very talented group of individuals. These guys at times are almost sort of mainstream, yet have elements like screams, crazy fast riffs, and wild drums that slap you in the face and tell you that this isn't just a one track mainstream band.
i agree theyre trying to prove a point not dress like that because theyre gay im pretty sdure theyre all straight and theyre music is awesome regardless of the way they dress
til I looked at the draft ov $7328, I accept that my best friend was like they say actualy receiving money part-time on their computer.. there aunts neighbour haz done this for only nineteen months and just repayed the dept on there villa and got a new Volkswagen Golf GTI. go to, Great70dotcom
I have been a bvb fan for a while now and i must say they and their fanbase don't deserve all the hate they get. Yes I'm a teenage guy, no i'm not gay emo or any of the other stereotypes you guys are talking about if you don't like the music that's opinion but don't be haters
I didn't think this album would be too great, but it actually is pretty good, In The End is nowhere near the best songs on the album, if i was somebody i would listen to I Am Bulletproof or New Years Day before you judge the album. if you judged it over In the end i would also agree its not great, give it a chance and you'll like it.
They're still somewhat of a shit band, but from what I remember them being, they're sort of going in the right direction after listening to that single.
The only way they're categorized with Motley Crue and KISS is just the crazy outfits. Their whole look reminds me too much of the Shout of the Devil album.
They lack originality, and are pretty mediocre, but maybe they'll turn it around. Props the guitarist though, he did pretty good.
I'm not a fan of BVB whatsoever. My co-worker this morning was listening to them on the radio, and my god. It's an awful, uninspired album. Let me tell you why.
1. The vocals. They're just so...bland, undistinguished, whiney, and it seems like they're forced to fit with the music.
2. Way too much shred wankery. Some bands can pull this off with great songwriting skills, but if I want to hear the melody of the chorus, I don't want to hear meaningless leads over it that are simply dead weight to the song. The guitarists have some chops, but they need to learn how to use them in the right places at the right times. You can be one shitty guitarist, but if you have good songwriting skills, people will at least want to listen. Also, the tone extremely bland, as well. It sounds like they've just put the gain at 8 o'clock on their 6505's and said "Hey, this sounds pretty heavy!" It sounds boring.
3. This all has been done before. SO many times. The fluttery, unnecessary leads throughout every song. The whole concept-album thing, especially with how they've set it up. Just everything about this album. Don't get me wrong; I love concept albums if they're done right. But this wasn't.
By the way, I'm surprised nobody has asked these chicks for their numbers yet...
I agree about Ronnie's voice. I love the music but can't stand the lyrics our vocals. Musical talent is so easily over looked by terrible singing. The whole "feminine and gay" comments should be kept out of music. Have you heard of Rob Halford, come on, sexual preference doesn't have to effect music. It's not like they're playing a techno Madonna remake or singing like Rupaul. They still suck though.
this band is so shitty. a rip off modern day KISS appearance. look at them, theyre trying WAY too hard to fit in. the only reason its working for them is because theyre music targets the preteen twilight obsessed kids.
all in all: imagine a ripp-off A7X music-style with a wannabe Eddie Vedder vocalist. and BOOM! you habe this shitcore act.
Nah, but in all seriousness, they're one of those bands I wouldn't mind listening to if their song came on the radio while I was driving, but I'd never buy their music.
This band's problem is that they're overly ambitious. If they focused on writing quality/unique songs instead of being the "biggest band in the world" and writing songs for their "BVB army" they may get more respect.
My Chemical Romance used to be veiwed in a similar way. With the whole "MCRMY" and whatnot. But what sets them apart is that they still keep their band focused on MUSIC rather than just adding a bunch of "whoa oh"s to bland poetry and calling it an anthem for their fan base.
Calling them "feminine" and "gay" makes you look like an ignorant dumbass.
Their guitarist is amazing but this band in general is very bland and they are some of the biggest sellouts I've ever seen.
I used to like them back before they got signed to the new record label and COMPLETELY changed their sound. That is one of the big reasons that the girl drummer left. She was sick of how the direction the band was going.
I dont care who hates BVB, i think they're unique and extreemly talented! Andy's voice suits this stye and genre perfectly! thier is not a single band that sounds ANYTHING like this as BVB are completely unique to themselves! Yeah ok Andy's voice is'nt always perfect live but that dosn't mean he can't sing. and it dosnt mean they're shit. I think the people who just make up bullshit to hate these guys are pathetic. people need to understand that music is OPINION and that everyone has thier own music they like that not everyone will agree with. thier is NO right or wrong answer!
I'm pretty indifferent to these guys. I listened to a few tracks on YouTube, and, well, I didn't hate them. But, I also don't remember anything that stood out about them either. And I just listened to them a few minutes ago.
The singer has a decent voice for the genre they play, the drummer is pretty solid, and the lead guitarist can play (but doesn't seem to have much of a creative spark in his soloing).
They're definitely trying too hard with their appearance. I'd be able to respect them more if they were just a rock band that wore jeans and T-shirts.
Their songs are pretty bland and forgettable, but there's nothing about them that offends my sensibilities or anything. I do think it's pretty funny that there are tons of kids that think these guys are metal (no, they aren't).
And just as many kids that think these guys are totally unique and original. Umm.....no. I can think of half a dozen bands from the 80's that sounded very similar. (W.A.S.P. anyone? How about some Britney Fox? Trixter maybe?)
I won't be buying any of their albums, or going to any concerts. But I can't say I think they're terrible.
Generic? Yeah.
Bland? Kinda.
Outright awful? Wouldn't go that far.
