After listening to this band for the first time, it is undeniable to notice that Bullet to the Heart have an extensive trajectory. With several singles already released and two studio albums, this incredible band once again surprises us with this amazing release that showcases their growing and boundless creativity both musically and aesthetically.
Bullet to the Heart is not only an incredibly creative band in terms of their musical compositions and the impressive variety of themes they touch upon in each of their songs, but they also bring this to the aesthetic realm, where even in their videos, it is possible to appreciate the care they put into their work as artists. Each song and each video is crafted with immense dedication, making the listener feel an immediate familiarity with each member of the band.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Bullet to the Heart is an alternative metal and hard rock band from Chicago. Their music is inspired by life experiences and aims to provide comfort and empowerment to those facing issues such as mental illnesses, addictions, and personal identity.
The band has achieved international recognition, with their studio recordings standing out for their wide range, technical skill, and composition. In their local music scene, Bullet to the Heart has built a loyal fan base known as "The Bloodline". Their live performances, featuring distinctive guitar melodies, captivating vocals, and energetic rhythms, create an electrifying atmosphere that unites and energizes the audience.
ABOUT THE RELEASE:
"Death Oddities and Romance" is the new release by the guys from Bullet to the Heart. It is a 5-song EP that was originally released on April 28th of this year.
The album stands out for its incredible variations between its different songs. Some of them are truly heavy metal, like "Black Widow" or "Revenant", while others like like "Post
Mortem" have a more sensitive touch. This showcases the band's versatility to adapt to different genres within metal music without losing their essence. Additionally, they demonstrate an incredible ability to create a release that can evoke a myriad of emotions in just 18 minutes.
The album is now available to be listened to on all streaming platforms. However, the release of "Revenant" accumulated over 100,000 views on YouTube and its undoubtedly the gateway for many new "Bloodlliners".
"The Whole EP is essentially a thematic story book where each song touches on the topic of death love and the macabre"
- Bullet to the heart.
TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW
"Black Widow"
The album begins with this powerful song titled "Black Widow," which immediately immerses us in the characteristic essence of nu-metal. The song makes its way with an impressive guitar, executed with a semi-open palm-muted technique and precise hi-hat hits on half notes. This combination creates undeniable power from the start, as if it were a prelude to the energy explosion that usually occurs in the famous "Wall of Death" during live performances.
The guitar riff smoothly merges with the bass and full percussion, giving way to a brief bridge before Audrey's vocals take center stage. The combination of Tom Monroe's distorted bass sound and Audrey's voice, which is accompanied by whispers in support of the main vocals in the first verse, creates a defiant sensation as if the song asserts itself decisively, in perfect relation to its theme.
"Black Widow" tells the story of a woman who grows tired of men approaching her inappropriately. In response, she decides to become an assassin and sets herself up in a bar, which becomes her trap, or her "spider's web," and the men who try to take advantage of her become her prey.
At the end of its very catchy first chorus, Draven DC, the band's Drummer, surprises with guttural vocals repeating the phrase "Black Widow." Then, in the song's bridge, Audrey lets out a macabre laugh, alluding to the power she has gained.
The breakdown of the song is simply impressive, largely due to the incredible coordination of the instrumental musicians, where Draven DC (drummer), showcases his impressive skill with the double pedal. This section, in a way, reminds us of certain elements present in metalcore, where breakdowns focus on the use of fast palm muted open notes on the guitar.
The song concludes again with this breakdown and Brian's guttural vocals, but some ambient elements, likely provided by a synthesizer, are added, further enriching the closing of the piece.
Within the current context, the impact of the song "Black Widow" brings up very important themes, such as empowerment and the fight against harassment, as well as reflection on vigilante justice through the representation of a strong female character who manages to prevail over abusers.
"Revenant"
"Revenant" is undoubtedly one of those songs that will rise as one of the standout anthems of the band. The track begins with a lead guitar executing an impressive riff that later in the second repetition includes an harmonization with a third above. This melodic line takes on transcendental importance as it repeats alongside subsequent choruses, shaping the song's structure from the start. In this way, once listeners reach the chorus, they experience a sense of familiarity that envelops them completely.
The song is about a vampire who transforms a human into part of their bloodline. As the song unfolds, the protagonist expresses the torment they feel due to their vampiric condition.
The lyrics suggest a sense of attraction and calling in the night, represented by the phrase "In the night I feel it calling me." The vampire experiences a sensation of pain and anguish, with their icy skin and difficulty breathing, as mentioned in "Icy skin it hurts to breathe."
In the verses, we encounter Audrey's voice, noticeably more relaxed. However, when reaching the chorus, she surprises us with an impressive increase in pitch in the phrase "I just want you to know..." This vocal ascent creates an incredible impact, conveying intense emotions and capturing the listeners' attention immediately. Additionally, in the line: “Bid your wishes..." Audrey rises her voice again using a falsetto technique, demonstrating her incredible ability to navigate between different octaves and leaving every listener in awe.
In the lyrics, the vampire wishes for others to see their perspective and understand how this prey (the converted human) immerses themselves in freedom, expressed in "Through my eyes I want you to see, How this prey envelops the free."
The song also references a feeling of persecution and the burden of dark secrets. The vampire feels hunted and captive to the darkness, as indicated in the verses "Prisoner chained to the darkness" and "Twisted secrets want me to keep."
The song's chorus emphasizes the idea that the protagonist is haunted by their vampiric condition, with the phrase "I just want you to know, It haunts me." Silence is another mentioned element, creating an oppressive and deafening atmosphere in which the vampire lives.
"Revenant" immediately distinguishes itself from "Black Widow" by featuring an extraordinary guitar solo. The masterfully executed solo incorporates triplets’ rhythms and then slows down, prolonging the notes to end perfectly on a sustained note. This transition generates the necessary tension to pave the way for the song's bridge, elevating the musical experience to an emotionally intense and captivating level.
"Revenant" is a song that explores the emotional experience of a vampire and their relationship with a converted human. The lyrics depict the torment, anguish, and persecution the vampire experiences with their condition, offering listeners a new perspective to these mythical creatures.
"Graveyard Lovers"
The third track of this release, titled "Graveyard Lovers," stands out for its combination of lyrical and musical elements that create an intriguing and mysterious atmosphere. Its more relaxed musical essence immediately evokes feelings of nostalgia in relation to the previous two tracks. The song begins with delicate guitar arpeggios accompanied by the toms of the drums, which gradually intensify until the start of the main structure.
"Graveyard Lovers" is about a taboo love between two people who find themselves in an unconventional setting, such as a graveyard. The protagonist expresses emotional ambiguity and a willingness to face the consequences and social stigmas for the love they feel. The band descripts this song with a more romantic and fantastical interpretation, where the narrator finds a zombie bride in the graveyard, and they live happily ever after.
The chorus of this song becomes incredibly catchy for the listener from the first time it is heard. The composition of the song, both in its time structure and melody, includes characteristic elements of alternative rock. However, in the second verse, we encounter an electric guitar performing palm-muted arrangements, reminding us of the band's metal essence and reinforcing this idea when it transitions into an incredible guitar solo that replicates Audrey's vocals.
The final chorus harmonizes with a multitude of voices, giving it a nostalgic harmony. Then, these voices become completely isolated at the end of the song, providing a perfect closure.
Compared to other songs on the album, "Graveyard Lovers" reflects complex emotions due to its context. For example, phrases like "Reaper notion give me the fame" and "consequences won't keep me at bay" suggest that the protagonist is willing to risk their reputation or even sanity for this forbidden love, even when this unconventional relationship is destined to face judgment and criticism. It implies a defiant attitude towards social norms and expectations.
This is a clear example of how this band can touch on such complex and yet everyday themes in romantic relationships through elements of fantasy that can generate an incredible emotional connection with listeners.
"Death by the Sea"
"Death by the Sea" is the fourth track of this album. It is about a solitary pirate who sets sail on a ship in search of treasure. While inspecting the ship, he encounters a beautiful woman, a mermaid, who lures him towards his death.
The lyrics of the song depict key elements of this story. It begins by talking about feeling the tide and being lost within it. The phrase "Back and forth your hatred subsides" suggests that the pirate has left behind his hatred or resentment, perhaps drawn in by the beauty of the mermaid.
Musically, this song is characterized by a darker aura. From the tremolo guitar effects to Audrey's voice with an incredible reverberation effect, an unsettling and mysterious atmosphere is created, replicating perfectly how it would be like sailing in the midnight tide.
It is worth mentioning that the song is composed in a 3/4-time signature, which from the start provides a different and distinctive rhythmic feel.
The chorus of the song is incredibly powerful. Audrey immediately enters with a high, sustained note, but the chorus is performed only once instead of twice, leaving the listener wanting to hear more immediately. In this section, the lyrical composition repeats the phrase "No one will save you," indicating that the pirate is doomed and there is no escape from his tragic fate. It is mentioned how his soul will not rest at the bottom of the sea and how he will ensure that his flesh is devoured.
This musical technique of initially giving a small glimpse of the full chorus is particularly remarkable because when the second chorus arrives, the sensation is undoubtedly indescribable. And that's exactly what the band does next by performing the complete chorus and leaving the listener with an incredible feeling of satisfaction. Additionally, they add an additional section that leads to one of the most prominent and memorable moments of the album. Audrey allows us to appreciate her voice in all its splendor as she soars an entire octave above the main vocal line to repeat the most iconic phrases of the song: "And as long as this beautiful abyss keeps our secret, nothing will be missed."
The second verse speaks of feeling the wind caressing the face but warns the pirate not to think about this underwater grave. It is mentioned that he is not the first nor the last to fall into this lustful temptation and that his desire will turn into his regret, suggesting that the pirate is just one more of those who have fallen into the mermaid's trap.
Then, in the bridge of the song, the instrumental section performs what is known as a "callback," returning to the beginning of the song with some variations, leading to a final chorus that fades out very slowly, creating an incredible sense of immersion that even makes the listener still feel inside the song once it has ended.
"Post Mortem"
"Post Mortem" is the final track of the album "Death, Oddities & Romance". With a completely different structure, it becomes the perfect closing for this release. It deals with reflections and feelings related to loss and mortality. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and sadness when remembering the happy moments shared with someone who is no longer present.
The band expresses their pain in contemplating the end and how everything seems bittersweet. They talk about confronting themselves, witnessing negative emotions such as hatred and lust. Despite that, the protagonist of this story wears their scars with pride, symbolizing that they have experienced emotional wounds but have overcome them.
The song features sections where the strings (guitar and bass) take the spotlight without distortion, creating a relaxed and calm atmosphere.
However, the chorus of "Post Mortem" showcases the band's characteristic power. This section feels like an anthem, and undoubtedly, listeners will join in chorus with the band. The song achieves an impressive balance between intimate moments and bursts of energy.
The song also speaks of the inevitability of death and how no one escapes it. Although love endures, people will eventually pass away. The narrator reassures their loved one, saying they won't have to worry, as "angels will fade away and the gates of heaven will rust," implying that there is no escape from death. This invites the listener to appreciate and value our loved ones while they are still with us.
"Post Mortem" is an invitation to reflect on how often we take for granted the presence of important people in our lives and how, at times, we get caught up in insignificant conflicts that can distance us from them. It is a powerful reminder that life is fragile, and we don't know how much time we will have with those we love. It urges us to seize every moment and cultivate meaningful relationships, rather than wasting time on trivial disagreements.
Furthermore, "Post Mortem" stands out for the imposing presence of synthesizers, which contribute to creating a celestial atmosphere in the song. These elements add layers of depth and texture, immersing the listener in a unique auditory experience. With its combination of calm and intense moments, "Post Mortem" positions itself as an emotional piece within the album, providing a harmonious closure to this incredible musical work.
BULLET TO THE HEART ONLINE