Given my ostensibly metal proclivities, I'll be one of the first to admit I had never really put the time into getting to know music like that of BLACK VEIL BRIDES; apparently I have been totally ignorant of the shift from their initial style, which completely turned me off in the first instance, to a polished, modern mix of Glam, Metal and Alternative. This brings me, apparently, to their latest album: "Black Veil Brides IV". Now, I'm sure the band are aware of the disdain that perhaps much of the Metal community may have held, or still hold, towards them, so I shan't make emphasis. What I will emphasise, is why some of these people might start to like them.

"Heart Of Fire" is a far cry from what I was expecting from this album. The opening riffs, quite frankly, blew me away. Funnily enough, that happens a lot on this album; the introductions to tracks such as "World Of Sacrifice", "Stolen Omen" and "Crown of Thorns", were actually staggeringly good. Great. Awesome, even. A solidly heavy, Hard Rock piece, stellar lead guitar work is found aplenty. Andy's vocals are of something for the self-proclaimed Metal elitist to get used to; while they do carry with them the 'Hetfield' gruffness, they are unmistakably commercial-sounding and catchy. But then, one of my favourite bands of all time is AMARANTHE, so I couldn't really give a damn.

I would like to focus on "Faithless", "The Shattered God" and the previously mentioned "World Of Sacrifice"; easily the two most balls-to-the-wall Metal tracks on the album. Widely described as "a mainstream rock track", "Faithless" opens with the fastest riffs on the album, heavy and intricate. Coming to "World Of Sacrifice", the introductory riffs are flat-out menacing, whereas "The Shattered God" is chock-ful of tight, grooving riffs and highly technical lead work.

My sole criticism of this album, is that which plagues most commercial Rock releases; sameness and homogeneity. For the most part, I detect identity in each of the tracks, but every time I come to the chorus, I feel like I'm listening to the previous song. Catchy, loud, but repetitive progressions, seems to be the formula of the day/year/decade for many mainstream American rock bands.

But hey, if that's what you like, power to you.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES have gone and created a decent album. It's not revolutionary, but it is easily their best material, and decent material at that.