Black Veil Brides' "Set the World on Fire" a Prophecy?

Black Veil Brides, a Heavy Rock / Glam band formed in 2006, has happily released their second album Set the World on Fire. Though the band has suffered more than several member changes, it seems as though they've got it right this time, as they were almost unheard of this time last year.

Forming in 2006 when lead singer Andy Biersack was only fourteen, he swore that one day, he would be famous. This statement has become more than true, as Black Veil Brides has blown out of the water lately. Magazine covers, interviews, headlining tours, a new album, playing on Warped Tour 2011, what's next?

I have been a fan of Black Veil Brides since 2008, finding them through Myspace. I fell in love with their sound instantly and I've fallen harder over the years. I've watched member changes happen, fights and drama, record label offers, and them grow and mature as people and as a band. WithSet the World on Fire, and a more dynamic, capable drummer, I believe they have certainly found the right sound.

Track One: New Religion - 5/5.

New Religion is power packed, loud, crazy, and a great way to open an album. With talks of how they're back and how the army as grown, I can't help but find my heart beating rapidly in my chest. The guitars are sure to get your foot tapping and the drum line gets your heart racing. Andy's vocals lack screaming, though, which was often found on the old album. The lyrics are bound to be controversial with a more religious group of people, though. With an ending like: "We are the unholy / We are the bastard sons of your media culture / Our minds, eyes and bodies were born of your exclusion / An illusion you hide behind / You don’t love a God, you love your comfort / To you we are filth, we are dirty, so be it / We are dirty and unclean, a congregation of the unseen /Together we will set this world on fire! /This is the New Religion! / AMEN!" the boys seem like they're just dying for the media attention of all of the religious folks out there.

Track Two: Set the World on Fire - 4/5.

This track starts out slower than the opener, but it still good nonetheless. This track is certainly the BVB Army Anthem of this album. Talks of standing up against the haters, standing tall, and yet again how they're behind us each step of the way. I'm all for empowerment, and I love the message they send forth, but after awhile, one gets tired of hearing how strong we all need to be. The lyrics are very meaningful though, and the music itself is beautifully done.

Track Three: Fallen Angels - 3/5.

This is certainly not my favorite track from the album and I don't think it should have been the first single released. Once again, we have talks of how the boys are Hellions and are anything but squeaky clean and are just being themselves. Andy has knack for writing lyrics, but this song is far too repetitive and boring for me. There aren't any of Andy's wild screams and it stays at a single pace. The opening is very appealing, though, with the boys singing, "We scream, we shout, we are the fallen angels!" with only the beat of a drum in the background. The guitar solos towards the end and this are the only appealing things about this song, though.

Track Four: Love Isn't Always Fair - 3.5/5.

Though the title and lyrics make me think of some whiny emo love ballad, the music itself surprised me as being very upbeat and fast-paced. For this song, I thought Guitarist / Violinist Jinxx would be breaking out the worlds smallest violin for the worlds saddest song. This is filled with angst, though, and highly shocked me. Without the fast pace, I wouldn't be able to handle eye-roll worthy lyrics such as "Kneel and pray for closure baby / This is the ride that we’re on, oh / I’m taking what you give to me / Never want it to stop, / I want it all."

Track Five: God Bless You - 5/5.

To me, this song is a nice way of saying "fuck you." and I like it! The tempo stays at a medium pace, but of course has a nice solo thrown in towards the end. With lyrics like: "You left me with these broken lies / And I let you / Got no more time for your goodbyes / So God bless you," I can't help but feel Andy is trying to be polite and tell whoever this song is directed to to fuck off, that he's finished. It's a very powerful song that I found myself singing along to almost instantly and is certainly one of the better songs on the album.

Track Six: Rebel Love Song - 5/5.

Rebel Love Song instantly starts out with an intense drum line and killer guitars. The lyrics more or less tell a story of two people who shouldn't be together giving a middle finger to whoever's keeping them apart and running away together. Lyrics like: "My outlaw eyes have seen their lies / I choke on all they had to say / When worlds collide what’s left inside / I hold on tight and hear you pray," make me smile, as though the music makes it seem like anything but sweet, Andy's sending out a sweet message. He seems like he's willing to do anything to be with who he wants to be with, and that's a great message in my eyes. This song has also become my favorite off of the entire album.

Track Seven: Saviour - 5/5.

Certainly and easily the best song on the album, in my opinion. Andy, Ashley, Jinxx, Jake, and CC simmer down in this track and Jinxx trades in his guitar for a violin. Saviour is definitely the Carolyn of Set the World on Fire. It's slow paced and a total tear-jerker. When Andy sings words such as "I never meant to be the one who kept you from the dark/ but now i know my wounds are sewn / because of who you are / I will take this burden on and become the holy one / but remember i am human / and I'm bound to sing this song." I can't help but feel tears be brought to my eyes as the raw emotion in his voice is obvious. This is another reminder that these five guys have been through it all and know how the struggling fans feel and I think this is why Black Veil Brides has such a great connection to their fan base.

Track Eight: The Legacy - 4.5/5

This song was the second single to be released, and I find it to be much better than Fallen Angels. It's more like how I remember Black Veil Brides and my heart swelled with pride when I heard this song. This song really speaks about the fact that Black Veil Brides struggled when they first picked up and how now they're rising so high and they're becoming so successful. Lyrics such as "We came from nothing, / But promised one thing, / We'll change the world with these guitars," make me think of how they rose from basically nothing to superstar level in one year. It also reminded me of the promise Andy made when he was younger. He swore that he would be famous and change the music scene, and with this song, he's certainly proved his point.

Track Nine: Die for You - 4/5.

Die for You starts out very strong and has an irresistibly catchy beat. The lyrics aren't too terribly original, but catchy and single-along worthy, nonetheless. The chorus will get stuck in your head for hours on end. Jake Pitts and Jinxx out do themselves once again in the guitar department as they shred through some amazing solos. Lyrics like "I feel your body crawl / Pale flesh for my devotion /True pain was all you ever meant / Love would be our last emotion," stick out and make me appreciate Andy's knack for lyric writing. Though it's a cliche concept, he's made it a very beautiful song.

Track Ten: Ritual - 4.5/5.

Ritual is much like Sweet Blasphemy from the previous album. It's a very positive, celebratory song that really speaks oceans as to how much love the band has for the fans and how sincere their message is. The music is composed perfectly and flows with the lyrics gorgeously and really makes this a song to pump one up about themselves. Andy's vocals are strong and bleed the happiness and positiveness that this song intends to put forth. I believe it to be one of the better songs on the album.

Track Eleven: Youth & Whiskey - 5/5

This is my second favorite track from the album. It's a killer tune with a bad-boy message. They're really making it clear that they aren't messing around and they're not letting anyone stand in their path to stardom. Lyrics such as: "These words are burning inside me / Spent years in liquid harmony / This dream is who I wanna be (youth and whiskey) / I grew from those who hate me / Stand fast to a razor blade symphony / Cigarettes and lyrics made me (youth and whiskey) and Black tides of smoke and misery / A loaded gun and a bastard's history / My temple's full of crazy (youth and whiskey) / No sorrow left inside me / Celebrate the moments behind me / They shine his holy memory (youth and whiskey)." Obviously show that Andy is over his childhood torment and from that torment he has grown into something unstoppable. This is really a great song and one that I've found myself raping the replay button on. Plus it has some of Andy's well-known growls, which was a nice touch. Certainly a great way to end a kick ass album!

Overall: 48.5/55.

This is certainly an album worth buying and I believe it's perfectly titled. Set the World on Fire is going to do just as promised.

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