We’re in a new era of Black Veil Brides. It’s a completely different band than we heard 14 years ago with We Stitch These Wounds. Granted, there are still aspects, but this is a band that has grown exponentially over the last 10 years.
When they released their self-titled record in 2010, things just felt different. Then, with Vale, we saw more growth. Enter 2021 with The Phantom Tomorrow and the maturation was continuing and then, they released The Mourning and “Saviour II,” and that’s when it was clear- the band had arrived and really hit their stride.
Here we are in 2024 and their next EP- Bleeders is set to release and, while it’s only three songs, there’s so much to dissect with this EP.
The title track kicks it off in true cinematic fashion. The intro captures your attention from the opening notes and the band keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire opus. This is a song tailor made for the live stage and playing to a packed 80,000-person festival.
Next up they hit us with a near-flawless cover of U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which keeps true to the original and sounds like a heavier version of U2- a band whose fanbase is so critical it can be dangerous to touch the music. BVB does it true justice, though, and somehow found a way to make it sound like U2 and Black Veil Brides at the same time.
Closing it out is a cover of “My Friends” from Sweeney Todd, which is just as dark and haunting as the original score. Even if you hate musicals, there’s no denying that this song and the musical that spawned it are perfect for Black Veil Brides.
In the end, Black Veil Brides have put out an EP that has something for everyone. They took some chances with the songs they covered but knocked it out of the park. The EP isn’t just a home run, it’s a grand slam.
Rating: 9.5/10
-Reggie Edwards