Bullet for My Valentine
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Bullet for My Valentine
Background information
Also known as Jeff Killed John
BFMV
B4MV
Bullet[citation needed]
Origin Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom
Genre(s) Metalcore
Heavy Metal
Years active 1995–present
Label(s) Columbia (UK)
Trustkill Records (U.S.)
Gun Records/Sony-BMG
Jive Records (Present)
Website bulletformyvalentine1.com
Members
Matt Tuck
Michael Paget
Jason James
Michael Tomas
Former members
Hamed Alidoust

Bullet for My Valentine are a four-piece metalcore band from Bridgend, Wales. Originally known as Jeff Killed John, the band formed in 1998 and covered songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Financial difficulties marked a change in music direction and name for the band. Bullet for My Valentine was formed in 2002, and was offered a record deal by Roadrunner Records. The offer was turned down, and the band later secured a five album deal with Sony BMG.

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album The Poison was released on October 3, 2005 in the United Kingdom and February 14, 2006 in the United States. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, and the Top Heatseekers chart at number 1, and has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S. as of February 6, 2008. The band made appearances at the Download Festival, Kerrang! XXV, and a United States tour with Rob Zombie, which the band were ultimately kicked off due to vocalist Matthew Tuck's comments on the band's message board. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album Scream Aim Fire debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 53,000.[1]

Biography

It was rumored that their first name was "Jeff Killed John" and then to "Opportunity in Chicago". But the band started out as "Jeff Killed John" and later "Bullet for My Valentine".

Jeff Killed John members wanted to follow the nu-metal trend set by bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit — Bassist Crandle left the band on the eve of entering the recording studio. The band recorded three songs (unmixed and unmastered) before quitting the project and subsequently split up. But despite this, they did get back together and they found a new bassist in the shape of Jason 'Jay' James. As nu-metal had started to become less popular, the band gave it one final shot by changing their name to Bullet for My Valentine, a name which refers to the "fictional evil yet loving lyrical content".[2]

Record label signing

For six to ten months, Bullet for My Valentine played at concerts to attract the interest of record labels. At a show in London, Roadrunner Records showed interest and offered the band a deal. The label was ultimately turned down, and the band signed a five record deal with Sony BMG, and a United Kingdom licensing deal with Visible Noise. The choice to choose Sony as said by frontman Tuck was "We thought that a lot more doors would be open to us with the Sony deal".[3]

A self-titled EP was released on November 15, 2004 in the U.K., and November 30, 2004 in the United States. Produced by Colin Richardson and mixed by Andy Sneap, the EP featured five tracks and marked the band's first official release.[4] A second EP, titled Hand of Blood was released on August 22, 2005 through Trustkill Records, and was only available in the United States. The EP contained one extra track than the self-titled EP, "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Decibel Magazine contributor Daniel Lukes responded to the EP negatively stating "The worst part is that the music itself isn’t all that bad, for the genre. "Cries In Vain" even threatens to kick some major ass before drowning in vocal sub-Incubusisms"; commenting the band should be embarrassed about the release.[5] Zeromag.com editor Josh Joyce complimented the band on "how technical they can get without confusing the kids".[6]

The Poison

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released in the U.K. on October 3, 2005 and February 14, 2006 in the U.S.. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 128,[7] attained a peak of number 2 on the Top Heatseekers, and number 11 on the Top Independent albums.[8] As of February 6, 2008, the album has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S..[9][10]
Music sample:

"Tears Don't Fall"
Play sound
Blabbermouth.net Reviewer Scott Alisoglu commented on "Tears Don't Fall"; "the twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo launch the track out of mediocrity"[11]
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Critical response to the album was mixed. Stylus Magazine editor Dom Passantino commented the band's contribution to the world of music is "basically a slightly uglier, yet similarly polished take on their genre than Lostprophets", awarding a C- grade.[12] Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu stated Bullet for My Valentine "is fairly good at what it does and at least half of the songs are better than average", although commented that the album "follows with several 'hey, it's predictable, but pretty rocking' moments".[11] Decibel Magazine contributor Kirk Miller commented "There’s zero in the originality department here", although praised the band's synchronised song structures compared to other bands.[13]

Four singles were released from The Poison including "4 Words (To Choke upon)", the band's first single, followed by "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)". "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" peaked on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks at number 13 and number 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks. "Tears Don't Fall" peaked at number 24 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks.[14]

Promoting The Poison

Main article: The Poison

Bullet for My Valentine played at the Download Festival in Donington Park for three consecutive years, first appearing at the 2004 festival on the Barfly stage.[15] The following year with increased popularity, Bullet for My Valentine played on the larger Snickers stage,[16] and in 2006 the band were moved to near the top of the main stage bill, playing on Sunday night below Guns N' Roses and Funeral for a Friend.[17] Other tours the band embarked on included opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses for six weeks of the summer in 2006,[18] the Vans Warped Tour, Kerrang! tour, and Earthday Birthday on April 28, 2007. The band's performance at the Brixton Academy in London was filmed for the band's first DVD, The Poison: Live at Brixton.[19]
Paget and Tuck at Roskilde 2006
Paget and Tuck at Roskilde 2006

Bullet for My Valentine were removed as a supporting act on a 2006 tour with Rob Zombie after 17 shows. Tuck posted a message on the band's official message board, stating the band were not being treated well on the tour in response to fans who complained about t-shirt prices and sound quality.[20] Zombie made the band price match his merchandise ($40 a shirt), and were only allowed two pieces. Because the band were unable to use a dressing room, could not perform a sound check, Tuck referred to the headliner as "money-grabbing fucks". Tuck commented "Basically, we are shit to him, but fuck it — if this is what it takes to get a name over here, then it's gotta be done".[21] A few hours later, Tuck posted a message apologizing for his comments claiming they were "out of line and totally exaggerated". However, the band were kicked off the tour the following day for the comments. Vocalist of fellow support act Lacuna Coil, Andrea Ferro, attributed the behaviour due to inexperience; "Probably they got some different kind of success in the U.K. in the beginning and they think that they paid their dues, but I believe that they still have to pay their dues, like everybody".[22]

During June 2007, Tuck suffered from laryngitis which led to a number of shows being postponed until early January. A tonsillectomy was scheduled in mid July, although it was brought forward at the last minute at the advice of Tuck's doctor. Advised a minimum recovery period of four weeks, the band were forced to cancel several shows. This included supporting Metallica for three dates on their Sick of the Studio '07 tour on June 29 in Bilbao, Spain, July 5 in Vienna, Austria, and July 8 at the recently completed Wembley Stadium in London. Machine Head replaced the band as supporting act.[23] Although unable to speak, Tuck wrote that as soon as doctors cleared him he would be in the studio working on the band's next album.[24]

Scream Aim Fire

Main article: Scream Aim Fire

Bullet for My Valentine filmed a video for the title track "Scream Aim Fire" on November 17, which is from the band's album of the same name. Director Frank Borin described the video as "a social commentary about the facade of war and the deceitful tactics used to recruit the young men of our country".[25] This video was later scrapped, and a second was filmed in California. The album was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios with production duties handled by Colin Richardson.[26] The album was released on January 28, 2008 and January 29 in the US. [27]Tuck commented on the album; "The biggest difference is probably the tempo and the aggression. It's a lot more uptempo, a lot more aggressive".[25] The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 4 with 53,000 copies sold in its first week.[1] The band has finished touring North America for the 2008 Taste of Chaos tour with the bands Atreyu, Idiot Pilot, Blessthefall and Avenged Sevenfold. They will also be performing at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park and the Download Festival in June 2008. Their new single "Waking The Demon" has now hit U.S. radio airways. They recently self-confirmed themselves for this years Reading & Leeds festivals.

It was announced on April 14, 2008 that the band would cut short their Canada tour in order to fly back home in support of bassist Jason 'Jay' James whose daughter has been hospitalised. They are currently touring Australia and New Zealand with their Taste of Chaos co-headliners, Avenged Sevenfold and Atreyu. [28]

Style

Bullet for My Valentine claim to be influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Slayer, Stuck Mojo, Judas Priest, Megadeth. Paget classifies these influences as "old school thrash".[29] These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies".[30] Reviewing The Poison, Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu described the band's sound as "predictable" and the album as a "made-for-MTV breakout hit" comparing the harmonies to Swedish metal band In Flames. However, Alisoglu praised songs such as "Tears Don't Fall" for incorporating "twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo".[11]

The members are not interested in modern music as Paget described it as "just about noise and smashing people's faces off for seven minutes, we're not into that just being loud for the sake of it".[29] Members of the band have stated they would not change their sound or image for a commercial approach. Tuck commented "Without sounding harsh, we're more interested in what our music sounds like than what our fucking hair looks like".[31] Kirk Miller of Decibel magazine praised the band for the effort in synchronised song structures.[13]

Awards

Bullet for My Valentine have received two awards from Kerrang!, 'Best UK single' for their track Tears Don't Fall in 2006, and 'Best British Newcomer' in 2005. As a result the band headlined Kerrang!'s 25 year anniversary tour of the U.K.[32] The band recorded a cover song for the magazine, Metallica's "Creeping Death", which is featured on the magazine's Higher Voltage complication disk.[33] Another Metallica cover, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)", was featured on Metallica" Remastered.[34]

The band won the Welsh Music Award for "Best Newcomer" in 2004,[35] and according to The Sun, were 'booed' when receiving the 2006 Metal Hammer Golden God Award award for 'Best British Band'.[36] Bullet for My Valentine has received coverage in music magazines including being featured on the covers of Metal Hammer, Guitar World and Kerrang, and stories in Revolver, Outburn, Penthouse, Rock Sound, NME, Hit Parader, Total Guitar, Guitar One, Drummer Magazine and Alternative Press.[32]

Members

Current members

* Matt Tuck – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
* Michael "Padge" Paget – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Jason "Jay" James – Bass, Backing Vocals
* Michael "Moose" Thomas– Drums

[edit] Former members

* Nick Crandle – Bass

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

* 2005: The Poison #128 U.S.
* 2008: Scream Aim Fire #4 U.S. #5 U.K. #4 AUS. #10 IRE.

[edit] EPs

* 2002: You/Play with Me
* 2004: Bullet for My Valentine
* 2005: Hand of Blood
* 2006: Rare Cuts (EP)

[edit] Singles
Year Single Chart positions Album
UK Singles Chart[37][38][39] UK Rock Chart U.S. Modern Rock[14] U.S. Mainstream Rock[14] German Singles Chart
2005 "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" 40 - - - - The Poison
"Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)" 37 - - - -
2006 "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" 29 - 30 13 -
"Tears Don't Fall" 37 - 32 24 -
2007 "Scream Aim Fire" 34 1 26 16 58 Scream Aim Fire
2008 "Hearts Burst Into Fire" 66 - - -
"Waking The Demon" - - - - -

[edit] DVDs

* The Poison: Live at Brixton
* Scream Aim Fire (CD & DVD Bundle)

Dragon Ball Online

Dragon Ball Online (ドラゴンボールオンライン, Doragonbōru Onrain?, Korean: 드래곤볼 온라인) (officially abbreviated as DBO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game being developed simultaneously in Japan and South Korea by NTL, set in the Dragon Ball universe, first introduced by the Dragon Ball Japanese manga in 1984. Dragon Ball Online takes place on Earth, 216 years after the events at the conclusion of the Dragon Ball manga series. A beta testing of Dragon Ball Online was initially announced to begin in South Korea, during the summer of 2007, though development was delayed by nearly a year, and it is currently scheduled to go live in Korea by the end of 2008, and in Japan in 2009 [1]. No North American release has been announced as of yet, though in a press conference held in South Korea on February 14th, 2008, NTL expressed interest in releasing the game to a worldwide audience. Dragon Ball Online will be released on PC and XBOX 360.[2]

Series creator Akira Toriyama has a great deal of creative control over the project, both contributing to and supervising the story and art design, including character and location arrangements.[3] It has been stated that Toriyama has been working on character designs for this project for the last five years.[4]

Story

Dragon Ball Online is set in Age 1000, exactly 216 years after Son Goku left the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai to train Uub in Age 784, in Dragon Ball Z. During this period time, a number of notable events have occurred, including the appearance of a Majin race, the arrival of what appear to be Yardratians in the Southern Galaxy, and most recently, a gulf forming in time.[5] The Earth has also been divided into pieces by a villainous organization known as the Dark Eye (闇の目玉, Yami no Medama?), which is lead by a mysterious individual.

It is worth noting that Dragon Ball Online ignores the events of Dragon Ball GT, and even appears to contradict some aspects of the anime (for example, the Yardratians, who did not appear in the manga, look completely different in DBO and the Dragon Ball Z anime). Due to the high level of supervision from Akira Toriyama, as well as the involvement of Bird Studio and Shueisha, DBO may actually be considered a more accurate continuation of the Dragon Ball manga.

Gameplay

As with other MMORPGs, players control a character avatar within a persistent game world, where they will be able to explore the landscape, search for the Dragon Balls, train to compete in the Tenkaichi Budokai, aspiring to become like the warriors of legend, as well as interacting with NPCs as well as other players. As in most MMORPGs, players will be able to obtain money and experience which will allow them to level up and obtain new abilities. Players will also be able to participate in "Timemachine Quests", in which they will receive guidance from Time Patrol Trunks (タイム・パトロール・トランクス, Taimu Patorōru Torankusu?), in order to travel back in time and take part in notable aspects of the Dragon Ball history.[6]

To date, three playable races have been announced: Human, Namekian, and Majin.[1] Saiyans no longer exist in the world as of Age 1000, and will not appear as a playable race.[1] Players will also be able to create their characters as children, allowing them to age over time, much like characters in the Dragonball series. A wide variety of skills appear to be able, including energy attacks such as the Kienzan or the Kamehameha. Players will additionally have access to weapons, including gloves, guns, and staves as well as to Bukujutsu, the ability to fly using chi energy (Gameplay video - 1:47).[7]

[edit] Races and Character Classes

Human

* Martial Artist (武道家, Budōka?) - Fighters who specialize in martial arts, comparable to characters like Yamucha or Tenshinhan.[1]
* Spiritualist (気功家, Kikōka?) - Mystics who specialize in spiritual, ki-based techniques.[1]
* Engineer (エンジニア, Enjinia?) - Mechanics and inventors who build weapons and utilize technology, much like Bulma.[1]

Namekian

* Dragon Clan (竜族, Ryūzoku?) - Members of the Namekian support caste which have abilities including healing, such as Dende or Kami.[1]
* Warrior (戦士, Senshi?) - Members of the Namekian warrior caste, which includes Piccolo and Nail.[1]

Majin

* Strange Majin (異魔人, Imajin?) - Slender, evil-looking Majin who have a similar appearance to Majin Buu's original, pure form.[1]
* Large Majin (大魔人, Daimajin?) - Fat, happy-looking Majin who resemble Majin Buu's good form.[1]