Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Bullet For My Valentine
Title
Fever
Type
LP/EP
Company
Sony Music
YOR
2010
Style
Metalcore/Hardcore
9/2/2010 - Review by: Eric Compton
Still retains that heavier abrasive touch
I saw these Welsh superstars last year on the Mayhem fest alongside Killswitch Engage, Trivium and Slayer. Their performance was spot-on and rivaled the same energy as Killswitch, a feat not easily accomplished. I was really interested to hear the progression made with ‘Fever’, the band’s third record to date and second after vocalist/rhythm guitarist Matt Tuck’s vocal injury. In many ways, this is as good or better than ‘Scream, Aim, Fire’ with more focus on melodic vocals that sync with the aggressive music. The group used producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Hollywood Undead) and his experience helped Tuck with the vocal melodies and some of the writing arrangements. I think this is more traditional than metalcore, but still retains that heavier abrasive touch. “Begging for Mercy” is this album’s “Waking the Demon” with masterful rhythmic finesse that spins into a commercially accessible chorus. It’s harsh, biting and soothing all in one fell swoop. The same could be said for the fast-speed assault of “The Last Fight” with its traditional metal feel albeit handled with walls of heavy distortion. The production standards really go the extra mile with the title track. ‘Fever’ is stupidly written about a strip-club visit but musically it’s an addictive blast-force. Listen to the isolated kick-drum at the beginning that warns the riffs are coming aplenty. I love the little touches experience brings to the studio. There’s some bad though—the emo flavored “Bittersweet Memories” should be burned and I’m still torn on ballad “A Place Where You Belong”. They can’t all be winners…but these broken-hearts come damn close.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    4 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Fever
2010
Sony Music
Eric Compton9/2/2010
4
Scream Aim Fire
2008
Sony Music
Eric Compton1/13/2009
5
Temper Temper
2013
RCA Records
Eric Compton9/1/2013
4

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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