on January 8th, 2013 | MUSIC

Review By Jesus Figueroa

Third studio album “Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones” for Black Veil Brides comes out to top iTunes Store sales but is lacking in rock/metal feel.

Having listened and owned the two previous albums “We Stitch these Wounds” in 2010, their best album 4 out of 5 stars, and “Set the World on Fire” in 2011, 3 out of 5 stars, I expected an improvement and the quality of sound is greatly improved. This band has come a long way from their earlier demos that had a very rough garage band sound. With improvement in sound quality though emotion has seemed to fade. Earlier songs like “The Gunslinger,” “Knives and Pens,” and “The Morticians Daughter” conveyed strong raw emotion that propelled them towards what metal truly is.

This newest album has 19 tracks and from them 3 or 4 seem to have that passion. The rest seem to be contempt to just be put out with almost a nonchalant style. Instruments are crisp and powerful. Christian Coma drumming has not only improved but challenges that of any legendary drummer. It’s powerful and explosive, maybe the best part of the album. Vocals by Andy Biersack are stunning and amazingly clear taking charge of every song as a lead vocalist should. Guitarist Jake Pitts contributes some nice riffs that combine melodically with both rhythm guitarist Jinx and Bassist Ashley Purdy’s accompaniment. Several classical sounding instrumentals are found beautifully placed in this album showing much of the diversity in style this young band is capable of.

Every song up until the last few sounds like a studio album. Minimal passion or feeling is felt and there’s nothing exciting about it. The final few songs change that, the softness of a few tracks show those powerful emotions every song should convey. ”Done for you” is probably the most enjoyable track as well as “In the End” which was released as their first single from this album on Oct. 31, 2012.

I rate this album 3 out of 5 Stars. It contains 19 tracks of which 4 are amazing improvements to what their previous album is. The film companion film “Legion of the Black” may be much better than the album. This is an album that fans will enjoy but others can live without hearing. Nothing to big or exciting to yearn for.

“Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones” the third studio album by Black Veil brides out now on iTunes and in stores. Buy it at Best Buy by Jan. 12, 2013 and show this coupon to get the album for $7.99 plus tax.

Black Veil Brides Wretched and Divine The Story of the Wild Ones