Tag Archives: a bullet for pretty boy

08.15.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] A Bullet For Pretty Boy – Symbiosis

A BULLET FOR PRETTY BOY
Symbiosis
[Artery Recordings]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Misery Signals, Your Memorial, Volumes

As a reviewer, I will fully admit that we often overuse the term “grower”. The idea that a release is terrible until some magic spark flies and makes an album good is a rather stupid notion. Instead, an album can certainly be dense or multi-faceted, so that the entirety of the album’s listening experience cannot be grasped in one listen. Symbiosis is that type of an album, if for no other reason than it is an entirely different experience than the band’s debut. Revision:Revise showcased a band that was more than fine sounding like every other competent Rise Records band: decent instrumentation, occasional melodic sensibilities, and more breakdowns than a listener knows what to do with. A lot has changed for this Texas-based band on its sophomore release. Symbiosis is an apt title, as it symbolizes how the band merges its ambient and melodic penchant with more typical metalcore ideals. Sure there are more than a few breakdowns, but the band clearly has stepped up its game on album number two. One could say this is just Volumes or Misery Signals with a greater sense of melody. However, the djenty guitars gently weave themselves into the listener’s brain while the melodic guitar work weaves its way in and out of the sound, creating a somewhat unique sound. “Unique” is rarely an adjective used in metalcore, but A Bullet for Pretty Boy evidently wants to step out of the generic realm. Tracks like “Come Clean” and “De(v)tails” highlight how the band utilizes its newfound sound to greatness. “Come Clean” is devastatingly heavy, yet features a well-placed ambient section and poignant lyrics. “De(v)tails” is the band at its most progressive, eschewing typical metalcore song structures for a better product. The result is a band who understands what it takes to rise above the standard. There are surely some missteps when the band regresses back on the standard formula, but the majority of the album finds the band migrating to a new territory; one that marries the heavy with the melodic, the simplistic with the technical. This is undoubtedly a band that knows what it wants to accomplish, and it has clearly done so on Symbiosis. – by Nicholas Senior

>> Classification: Progressive Metalcore
>> Recommended Tracks: “Come Clean” and “De(v)tails”
>> In Conclusion: While it may take a couple listens, Symbiosis is a significant step forward for A Bullet for Pretty Boy. While it’s not entirely progressive, the band’s newfound sound is a giant leap in the right direction.

12.16.10
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LMP #9 Winter 2010 Is Now Online For Reading And Download

Check it out here: http://issuu.com/lmpmagazine/docs/lmp_issue_9

Features A DAY TO REMEMBER, SENSES FAIL, CLOSE YOUR EYES, EVERY TIME I DIE, THE CHARIOT, and more. Inside, you will also find our End Of The Year Special.

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12.02.10
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[Poll] Vote For 2010 Album Of The Year

10.29.10
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A BULLET FOR PRETTY BOY – Revision:Revise [Review]

A BULLET FOR PRETTY BOY
Revision: Revise
[Artery Recordings]
Score: 9
Stream: “Deceiver”
RIYL: The Word Alive, Sleeping With Sirens, The Devil Wears Prada

I would like to note I remained unbiased when writing this review, considering Chris Johnston of ABFPB did graphic work with Lexington Music Press. That being said, Revision:Revise is immediately explosive and energetic from all angles, whether it’s heard through the singing, screaming, breakdowns, or what have you. The opening track, “Deceiver”, instantly becomes a favorite with its soaring chorus, underlying melody, and aggressive guitar work. The song is then followed by the band’s first album single (and title track), “Revision: Revise”, which is almost a full series of breakdowns and brutal strength from start to finish, even when the bridge is going near the three minute mark. While these guys could easily be compared to a lot of bands, the fact is they’re doing this genre justice big time. The singing sounds a lot like Kellum of Sleeping With Sirens, which is pretty cool. The screaming is more similar to that of Evergreen Terrace or Bury Tomorrow. The song construction and instrumental work itself is like a blend of The Word Alive, The Devil Wears Prada, and Greeley Estates. These awesome comparisons aside, ABFP still manage to make a sound all their own while pulling in elements from multiple directions. While the first three tracks have a similar feel to them, the fourth (“Patterns”) has a sound all its own. The pacing is not quite as fast, and the set up seems more widely constructed. As a result, this track quickly stands out and will be replayed more than others. “Only Time Will Tell” and “Voices And Vessels” also follow this suite, and a pattern becomes apparent. The first three tracks are more power than anything, the middle three tracks are more well rounded, and the final four tracks are more of a blend of both styles, while also experimenting in some new territories along the way. In all honesty, I had a feeling this album would sound too much the same throughout. I was wrong. A Bullet For Pretty Boy keep things varied enough throughout, as well as blow your mind countless times along the way. Revision: Revise is an excellent debut from one of Artery’s current finest. Confucius predicts many great tours to come for ABFPB. (NL)

10.18.10
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MY TICKET HOME – The Opportunity To Be [Review]

MY TICKET HOME
The Opportunity To Be
[Rise Records]
Score: 8.5
Stream: “Dead Weight”
RIYL: Miss May I, A Bullet For Pretty Boy, The Word Alive

For their label debut, My Ticket Home are releasing The Opportunity To Be via Rise this November (digital only). Despite hailing from the same hometown as Attack Attack!, as well as having been produced by that band’s vocalist (Caleb Shomo), the two groups really don’t sound anything alike. My Ticket Home play more brutal metalcore than anything; you won’t hear a bevy of electronics here. Remember the haunting mix of metal and singing found on This Is Love, This Is Murderous by Bleeding Through? That’s kind of the feel here with The Opportunity To Be. While atmospherically dark and heavy, the songs also come coupled with some beautiful singing. “Dead Weight” is the most evolved track on the EP, as it features the best blend of musical elements playing off one another. However, the final track is also quite amazing. “The Opportunity To Be” is a piano led song that features no screams or breakdowns, and is slow and sadly beautiful from start to finish. While a lot of bands have started ending their albums in a similar fashion, this has got to be one of the best finales in recent memory. With some more experimentation like this, My Ticket Home could easily become fucking kings on their next album. (NL)

10.06.10
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LMP #8 (October 2010) – Out Now!

CURRENT ISSUE – NO.8 (OCTOBER 2010)

Features include Chiodos, The Sleeping, Rise Records, All That Remains, and more! Reviews include Senses Fail, This Day Will Tell, Abandon All Ships, Middle Class Rut, Madball, and more! We also have a new and improved Unsigned Section.

http://issuu.com/lmpmagazine/docs/issue_8

READ AND DOWNLOAD IT HERE