Bullet For My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire

Bullet For My Valentine rocketed onto the scene, with their debut album The Poison selling over a million copies worldwide. They also landed on the cover of several magazines and toured with artists like Iron Maiden, Metallica and Guns 'N Roses. Of course their early success also garnerned a lot of criticism with the claims that the band hadn't "paid their dues."

The expectations are huge for their second full-length, and Scream Aim Fire won't silence the critics, but will satisfy the band's fans. The songs are slick and melodic with big hooks and singalong choruses. Bullet For My Valentine's musicianship and songwriting have improved and matured, and there aren't nearly as many filler songs on this CD.

Even though the songs are catchy, there are also some aggressive parts and a few breakdowns. Matt Tuck's melodic vocals are very prominent on the CD, although there still is some screaming. Scream Aim Fire is a well-rounded affair with harsher metal songs, radio-friendly rock tracks and a ballad or two. There's also a collaboration with Skindred's Benji Webbe on "Take It Out With Me."

Bullet For My Valentine has delivered a CD their fans will enjoy, and even though the commercialness and slickness of it will draw its share of criticism, that won't stop the masses from buying Scream Aim Fire.

(released January 29, 2008 on Jive/Sony BMG Records)