Bullet For My Valentine are huge over in their native England, and thanks to Trustkill Records, the hard rock community stateside can get a taste of what all the freaking fuss is about. Hand Of Blood is a 6-song, guitar driven EP that isn’t afraid to reveal its melodic side. Bullet For My Valentine may wear all black and sport ink-hued mops of hair, but they’re not gothic or trendy and their look isn’t what will attract people to them. It’s the guitar work on 4 Words (To Choke Upon) and Hand of Blood that the kids’ll sink their teeth into.

Sometimes there are EP’s that whet your appetite for the full length. Good marketing tool guys. Combining elements of 80’s metal, metalcore, and screamo, BFMV may sound extremely formulaic, but as I stress to all my friends who don’t like the stuff I do, it’s all in the execution. Hailing from Wales, their metal has more of a European influence, yet at the same time, BFMV pay obvious homage to metal heroes Metallica (surprise). What impresses me with the EP was the way these guys can show how technical they can get without confusing the kids (the obvious target market.) Upon listening, one is compelled to both mosh and hardcore dance at the same time, so there’s something for everyone. This EP will compel you to buy the upcoming full length. Recommended for fans of God Forbid and Atreyu. Weird huh.

Hand Of Blood is a solid EP packed with six hard-hitting, angst-driven, modern metal anthems, but a summary of Bullet For My Valentine’s overall sound is a complicated affair. In a nutshell, they’re a virtual melting-pot of various metal and hardcore influences, blending everyone from Hatebreed and Everytime I Die, to old-school “metalers” such as Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden. The band hails from the UK (Wales to be exact) and lead singer/guitarist Matthew Tuck isn’t afraid to hide his old-school influences, vocally or on the guitar. Tuck, along with second guitarist Michael Padget, willfully unleash a hard-hitting collection of aggressive metal songs, sounding at times like they’re trying to resurrect some metal god from an ancient slumber. The guitar riffs throughout are tight and polished, sounding like a finely tuned guitar-driven machine, while the drum and bass interplay is equally as impressive, creating a solid wall of metal accompaniment on each track. The vocals are an equal mix of screaming, shouting, and melody driven chants, bringing to mind a few modern metal artists, such as Lost Prophets or 18 Visions. The lead off track “4 Words (To Choke Upon).” begins with what sounds like a leftover Iron Maiden riff, only to slam into a hardcore metal verse, complete with a combination of screams and shouts from all of the vocalists. The interesting thing about this track is its onslaught of harmony found in every nook-and-cranny. The second track “Hand Of Blood,” continues the metallic harmony direction explored on the first track, including an old-school guitar solo complete with glorious harmonized moments sure to please any “real” Judas Priest or Iron Maiden fan. The EP continues in this direction, revealing a mutually shared “ear” between the band members, as each instrument helps create an abrasive “soundscape” for the vocalists to weave their web of throat clearing verses and choruses, with plenty of extended guitar solos and ear-numbing riffs to enjoy. Hand Of Blood is an enhanced CD, featuring videos for “4 Words (To Choke Upon)” and the title track “Hand Of Blood.” This album is highly recommended for anyone looking for something heavy and melodic, with plenty of screams, heavy riffs, guitar solos, pinch harmonics, and double bass drum fills. Bullet For My Valentine has a full-length album out as of October 3rd entitled The Poison, and I’m certain most (or all) of these songs will appear on the LP, so only time will tell, as their music is well written, well-executed, and ready for the world. The real question here is – will the world be ready for Bullet For My Valentine? (I think so!)

Bullet For My Valentine isn't for everybody. Those not comfortable with the current state of metal will want to steer clear... This British group has everything that has made metal popular: screaming, singing, guitar leads, and a poppy sense of melody. If you haven't lost interest yet, then stick around, because if you enjoy the current state of metal and like singing along to your punk-influenced heavy metal (or metal-influenced punk), this EP is for you. Album opener "Hand of Blood" is almost a downright thrash-fest, fueled by Bullet For My Valentine's Iron Maiden-influenced leads and simultaneous singing/screaming approach, while "Curses" showcases frontman Matt Tuck's melodic pipes. At the same time, "Cries In Vain" holds some cool riffs and leads, but nearly succumbs to the now infamous formulaic singing/screaming formula. "Just Another Star" closes the recording in a punk-meets-Killswitch Engage way that will either have listeners gladly embracing the EP's end, or reaching for the repeat button. At a mere 18 minutes, the Hand of Blood EP is only a glimpse into Bullet for My Valentine's future, which ought to be quite bright if songwriting like this can hold up. While these Brits probably fit in better with fellow Wales acts Funeral For A Friend, the deep-running metal influence is a nice change of pace in the otherwise cluttered punk/metal hybrid camp. And, ultimately, that's what keeps the Hand of Blood EP running strong. Every time I listen to it, I hum along with the guitar riffs and the intertwining leads, always finding something else to like about it. Even if I want to badmouth this record for Bullet For My Valentine's pop sensibilities, I always hear something that makes me want to keep liking it.

Hailing from across the pond, Bullet For My Valentine's debut, "Hand of Blood", offers further proof that Europeans can do almost anything we can do better by beating us at our own metalcore game with ease and skill. Combining the best aspects of mascara metal pin ups Atreyu (chorus/vocal melodies) with the tech-aggro riffing of Lamb of God, Bullet For My Valentine have concocted a seriously lethal six track EP. I was actually surprised to hear that the rip roaring riffing was created by only one guitarist-one Michael Padget - especially due to the fact that there is such an emphasis placed upon some nice Swedish styled harmony work here and there. I only hope that this translates as well live, unless the band is considering hiring a second guitarist in the near future. Colin Richardson has delivered to the band a note perfect production; clear as a bell, and crunchy as fuck; it only serves to heighten the band's already impressive arrangements and punishing breaks. Bullet For My Valentine seem to be a band on the rise, with the machine firing on all cylinders, and all the tools required for massive crossover success, from emo fans to metalheads, so don't be surprised if you see these guys becoming a household name sometime in the very near future. These guys are gonna be big.

These young Welsh rockers have "future super star" written all over them. Combining traditional technical heavy metal with passionate melody and marketable good looks, it is merely a matter of months before these fresh-faced hopefuls adorn the stereos and bedroom walls of the nation. This debut release features five of their future classics and acts as a juicy taster for their highly anticipated full length, which is tentatively penciled in for next spring. The sound of the Bullet boys is one that jumps ferociously from early Metallica-esque riffs, to hefty Hatebreed chugging and compelling FFAF style melody. To make it simpler, these are the tracks that the Lostprophets would have written if they had been schooled by guitar gods, had the vocal dexterity of Mike Patton and were willing to get into a good punch up. Listening to these tracks it is clear that every one of the four members gives 110% all of the time and even the vocal responsibilities and harmonies are shared between three of them. Second track "cries in vain" is a perfect example of this band's ability to take complex guitar work and transform a collection of riffs into considered and dynamic composition. Their songs are ludicrously catchy without being poppy, and triumphant and epic without pretensions. As new comers, Bullet are unashamedly confident and in your face but undoubtedly ready for action. There is none of the indecisive nature of a band still trying to find their feet, theses boys found them years ago and have spent the past few years donning the heaviest boots they can find and kicking serious metal butt.

At just 5 tracks, this debut mini album from Bridgend metallers Bullet For My Valentine is one helluva short, sharp shock. There's no pissing around - and no concessions to media trends. These four lads, who clearly grew up worshipping Metallica and Maiden, are wearing their influences proudly on their sleeves. That's not to say the band is plagiaristic throwbacks, though. Among the dense riffage and breakneck speed there's a contemporary hardcore edge that gives real bite to the devil horned blitzkrieg. Dip into this self-titles statement of intent at any point and you'll be left head banging and grinning like an idiot. Whether it's the vitriolic metallic attack of opening gambit "hand of blood" or the raw throated hardcore hollering of "no control" BFMV exhibit an awesome sense of power and precision. There's a healthy variation of pace (witness the atmospheric stains of "curses") and an impressive level of confidence on display. Sludge thick riffs, screeching solos and powerful vocals from front man Matt Tuck all help make for the most impressive British debut of the year. Nobody knew the band when they emerged to open this year's Download Festival, but you can bet your life people will know them when they're far higher up the bill next year. British metal just found its great white hope a complete hair flailing, foot on the monitor delight from start to finish.