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Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh heavy metal band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matt Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar), Jason James (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Michael Thomas (drums). They were formed under the name Jeff Killed John and started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana. Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were not released; two of these tracks were reworked later in their career as Bullet for My Valentine. Financial difficulties dictated the name change, which was followed by a change in music direction. In 2002, the band secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG. The band has stated that their music is influenced by classic heavy metal acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released on October 3, 2005 in the United Kingdom and on February 14, 2006 in the United States to coincide with Valentine's Day hence their band name. The album entered the Billboard 200 in the US at number 128. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The band made appearances at the Download Festival and Kerrang! XXV, and undertook a US tour with Rob Zombie. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, Scream Aim Fire, was released on January 29, 2008 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The band's third album, Fever, was released on April 26, 2010 and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The band has sold over two million albums worldwide.

History

Jeff Killed John and record deal (1998—2005)

Jeff Killed John was the forerunner band to Bullet for My Valentine and was formed in 1998 by Matthew Tuck, Michael "Padge" Paget, Nick Crandle, and Michael "Moose" Thomas while studying music at Bridgend College. Playing Nirvana and Metallica cover songs, the band released a two-track EP in 2002, You/Play with Me, which was produced by Greg Haver. The EP was financed through the Pynci scheme for new Welsh musicians and the release garnered radio airplay on BBC Radio 1's broadcast at Newport's T.J.'s. Jeff Killed John's music followed 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 sessions for You/Play with Me and was replaced by Jason James. The band then changed their name to Bullet for My Valentine and reworked their musical strategy; they decided to play thrash metal songs with "harmony guitars and big angelic choruses" according to frontman Tuck.

Roadrunner Records showed interest in Bullet for My Valentine and offered the band a deal. The offer was ultimately turned down, and the band signed a five-album record deal with Sony BMG and a UK licensing deal with Visible Noise. According to Tuck, they chose Sony because, "We thought that a lot more doors would be open to us." A self-titled EP was released on 15 November 2004 in the UK. Produced by Colin Richardson, it featured five tracks and marked the band's first official release. A second EP, Hand of Blood, was released on 22 August 2005 through Trustkill Records and was only available in the US; the release contained one extra track than the self-titled EP, "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Daniel Lukes of Decibel Magazine reviewed the EP by stating, "The worst part is that the music itself isn’t all that bad, for the genre." He went on to comment that the band should be "embarrassed" about the release. Zeromag's Josh Joyce complimented the band on "how technical they can get without confusing the kids".

The Poison (2005—2007)

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released on 3 October 2005 in the UK and on Valentine's Day, 2006 in the US. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, and attained number 11 on the Independent Albums chart. On 30 January 2009, the album was certified gold by the RIAA after 500,000 copies were sold in the US. Four singles were released from The Poison: "4 Words (To Choke Upon)", "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)", "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)", and "Tears Don't Fall". Bullet for My Valentine promoted the album by touring across the world. In 2005, with increased popularity, they played on the larger Download Festival Snickers stage; in 2006, the band were moved to near the top of the main stage bill. Other tours included opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses in the summer of 2006, the Vans Warped Tour, Kerrang! tour, and Earthday Birthday.

The band's performance at the Brixton Academy in London on 28 January 2006, was filmed for their first DVD, The Poison: Live at Brixton. During June 2007, Tuck suffered from laryngitis, which let to an emergency tonsillectomy in July. Bullet for My Valentine were forced to cancel several shows, including supporting Metallica for three dates on their Sick of the Studio '07 tour on 29 June in Bilbao, 5 July in Vienna, and 8 July at the recently completed Wembley Stadium in London. 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.

Scream Aim Fire (2007—2008)

Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, Scream Aim Fire, was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios and was produced by Colin Richardson. Tuck commented at the time, "It's a lot more up tempo, a lot more aggressive". The album was released in the US on 29 January 2008. It sold 53,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. Three songs were released as singles: "Scream Aim Fire", "Hearts Burst into Fire", and "Waking the Demon".

In support of the new album, the band toured North America and Australia in the spring of 2008 for the Taste of Chaos tour alongside Atreyu, Blessthefall, and Avenged Sevenfold. Bullet for My Valentine cut short the Canada portion of the tour and flew back home to support the daughter of James who was in hospital. The band performed in North America again in the summer of 2008 as part of the No Fear Tour with Bleeding Through, Cancer Bats, and Black Tide. In late 2008, the band toured Europe, supported by Lacuna Coil, Bleeding Through, and Black Tide. In December 2008, Scream Aim Fire was re-released with four bonus tracks that were recorded during the album's studio sessions, but with re-recorded vocal-lines.

Fever (2009—present)

Matt Tuck spoke to Daniel Marez of Metal Hammer in March 2009 about the band's progress on writing and recording their third album. He stated that there were four or five songs that were finished and that "usually we write and record 14 tracks that I then have to write vocal lines for, but this time I’m trying to write the vocals as I write the music". Bullet for My Valentine confirmed in August 2009 that they were aiming for an early 2010 release for the new album, while Tuck stated that the upcoming record is "a lot more mature-sounding, it's a lot more classic. It'll stand the test of time than both the previous things we've done". In a January 2010 interview with Rock Sound, frontman Matt Tuck said the planned release date for Fever, the 11-track album is in late April 2010. He also said the album would sound more like The Poison than Scream Aim Fire and would contain no ballads.

During the summer of 2009, Bullet for My Valentine toured across the United States as part of the Mayhem Festival, alongside Killswitch Engage, Slayer, and Marilyn Manson on the main stage; they also appeared on the UK leg of the Sonisphere tour at Knebworth, headlining the second stage. The band will be headlining the second stage at the Download Festival 2010 on the Friday night. The band has also been confirmed for Nova Rock, Metaltown, Rock am Ring, Rock on the Range, The Bamboozle, Bilbao Live Festival, Fortarock and Graspop. In addition, they will be playing alongside the Big Four on the Greek leg of Sonisphere.

The album was released on 27 April 2010 and is titled Fever. A free download of a new track called "Begging For Mercy" was released on the band's website on 14 February, 2010 as part of a Twitter promotion. The song "Your Betrayal" was chosen as the lead single for the album and was set to release on 9 March 2010, but, unexpectedly, was released earlier on 2 March 2010 as a digital single on iTunes Store. The second single is called "The Last Fight" and was released on 19 April. The album artwork for this studio album was released on the official website on 5 March 2010.

Bullet for My Valentine have announced the start their US tour in support of Fever will begin on 30 April with the bands Airbourne and Chiodos as support. On 12 March the band released the music videos for "The Last Fight" and "Your Betrayal". The band revealed the track listing on their website on March 15, as well as other various sources that include an email to all of their subscribers on the mailing list.

On 26 April the band played a secret show in London to celebrate the release of Fever. This was their only UK headline show until the end of the year.

The band have announced details of their first UK arena tour which runs from the 6th to the 12th of December, dates are as follows: Birmingham NIA 6, Manchester MEN Arena 8, Glasgow SECC 9, Cardiff CIA 11 & London Wembley Arena 12, the support acts are yet to be announced.

Musical style and influences

Bullet for My Valentine's music has been described by critics as metalcore, heavy metal, and thrash metal. The band has cited being influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Stuck Mojo, Slayer, Judas Priest, and Megadeth. These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies" according to Thomas. The band themselves consider their music as hard rock and describe their two albums, The Poison and Fever as having "super dark" tone with Tuck went on to state that "…we’re a hard rock band with metal influences, and I’ve said that from Day One.” Kirk Miller of Decibel Magazine praised the band for the effort in synchronised song structures. When asked of their views on their looks, members of the band have stated that they would not change their sound or image for a commercial approach; Tuck commented that, "Without sounding harsh, we're more interested in what our music sounds like than what our fucking hair looks like."

Awards and achievements

• Welsh Music Award
  • Best Newcomer (2004)

• Metal Hammer Golden God Award
  • Best British Band (2006, 2010)

• Kerrang! Awards
  • Best UK Single for "Tears Don't Fall" (2006)
  • Best British Newcomer (2005)
  • Best British Band (2008, 2009)
  • Headlined Kerrang!'s 25 year anniversary tour of the UK

Bullet for My Valentine has just recently been nominated for the 2010 Kerrang! awards. One nomination included "Best British Band", which they had been awarded the previous year.

Band members

Current members

• Matthew Tuck – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1998–present)
• Jason James – bass guitar, vocals (2003–present)
• Michael Paget – lead guitar, backing vocals (1998–present)
• Michael Thomas – drums, percussion (1998–present)

Former members

• Nick Crandle – bass (1998–2003)

Discography

Studio albums

• The Poison (2005)
• Scream Aim Fire (2008)
• Fever (2010)

References

1. ^ "Bullet for My Valentine biography". BBC News. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
2. ^ "Bullet for My Valentine Interview". Room Thirteen. July 8, 2005. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
3. Lukes, Daniel. "Screamocore takes a dump where it eats". Decibel. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
4. Joyce, Josh. "Bullet For My Valentine – Hand of Blood EP". Zero Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
5. Alisoglu, Scott (August 22, 2009). "The Poison". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
6. "Chart Listing for the week of 4 Mar 2006:". Billboard. March 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
7. "Bullet for My Valentine – Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
8. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – 12 August 2009". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
9. "Bullet for My Valentine – Singles". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
10. "Download Festival 2005 line-up". Download Festival. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
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12. "Bullet for My Valentine – Matt Tuck, Vocals/Guitars". SMN News. April 1, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
13. "Bullet For My Valentine DVD Slated For December Release". The Gauntlet. November 2, 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
14. Arto (January 3, 2006). "Bullet for My Valentine interview – Moose". HardcoreSounds. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
15. Wood, Mikael. "BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE". Revolver. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
16. "Machine Head Added To Metallica's Wembley Bill". Blabbermouth.net. June 27, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
17. Chris (June 21, 2007). "Bullet update". bulletformyvalentine1.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
18. Graff, Gary (12 April 2007). "Bullet for My Valentine in the thick of new album". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 April 2007. Retrieved 31 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
19. "Bullet for My Valentine frontman says new album is 'More commercial than the last one, we're all gonna cut our hair and wear more makeup'". Blabbermouth.net. October 15, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
20. Harris, Chris; Wiederhorn, Jon (November 16, 2007). "Hate Eternal Do Some Soul-Searching; Plus Shadows Fall, Blut Aus Nord & More News That Rules, In Metal File". MTV. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
21. Hasty, Katie (February 6, 2008). "Keys Notches Fourth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
22. "Bullet for My Valentine Cancels Seattle, Canada Dates". Blabbermouth.net. April 14, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
23. Tjames Madison. "No Fear tour". LiveDaily. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
24. Pollstar (2008). "Lacuna Coil Concert Dates". Retrieved August 30, 2008.
25. ^ "Bullet for My Valentine's Matt Tuck on new album". Metal Hammer. March 16, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
26. "Bullet for My Valentine Drummer Interviewed By Swigged!". Blabbermouth. August 11, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
27. ^ "Bullet For My Valentine Talk New Album". Rock Sound. January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
28. Castillo, Arielle. "Mayhem Festival". New Times Broward/Palm Beach. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
29. "Mayhem Festival Press Release" (PDF). Mayhem Festival. January 28, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
30. Chamberlain, Richard. "Sonisphere – the inthenews.co.uk review". Inthenews.co.uk. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
31. "Download Festival 2010 url=http://www2.kerrang.com/2010/01/download_2010_is_go.html". Kerrang. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
32. "HEAVEN & HELL, SLAYER, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Confirmed For Austria's NOVA ROCK Festival". Blabbermouth. December 9, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
33. "BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, KREATOR, Others Confirmed For Sweden's METALTOWN Festival". Blabbermouth. February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
34. "KISS To Play Germany's ROCK AM RING/ROCK IM PARK Festivals?". Blabbermouth. December 4, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
35. "GODSMACK, ROB ZOMBIE, LIMP BIZKIT, SLASH, DEFTONES Confirmed For ROCK ON THE RANGE". Blabbermouth. February 9, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
36. "New Jersey Bamboolze Festival Announces New Acts: Bullet For My Valentine, Motion City Soundtrack". The Silver Tongue. January 29, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
37. "BBK Live 2010 Festival line-up begins to take shape". EITB. February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
38. "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DEICIDE, KREATOR, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Confirmed For Holland's FORTAROCK". Blabbermouth. February 13, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
39. "BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, NILE Confirmed For GRASPOP METAL MEETING". Blabbermouth. December 8, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
40. "METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, ANTHRAX Confirmed For Greece's SONISPHERE". Blabbermouth. February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
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42. ""Begging For Mercy" Free Download". Bullet For My Valentine. February 14, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
43. "Bullet for my Valentine Tour Dates with Airbourne and Chiodos". Noisecreep. March 8, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
44. http://www.jiverecords.com/bulletformyvalentine/
45. http://www.alternativepress.com/news/8606.htm
46. Bullet For My Valentine to play secret show
47. "BFMV at NME". NME. Retrieved February 8, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
48. Nettleton, Chris. "Drowned in Sound – Bullet for My Valentine: Scream Aim Fire review". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
49. "Absolute Radio – Bullet for My Valentine pull out of Metallica Wembley show". Absolute Radio. June 21, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
50. Stack, Eamonn (February 20, 2008). "BBC review Scream Aim Fire". BBC News. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
51. Weiderhorn, Jon (November 7, 2008). "The New Guitar Gods: Bullet for My Valentine". Guitar World. Retrieved February 8, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
52. "Bullet for My Valentine Interview – Ultimate Guitar". Ultimate Guitar Archive. October 20, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
53. "Bullet for My Valentine – Confident aiming at being the next classic metal band". Metalrage.com. June 22, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
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55. Miller, Kirk. "Bullet for My Valentine – The Poison". Decibel. Archived from the original on April 4, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
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57. "Welsh Music Awards 2004". BBC News. Archived from the original on July 9, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
58. Mendoza, Nadia (June 12, 2007). "Bullet booed at Metal Awards". The Sun. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
60. "The Best British Metal Band to Emerge in Years." – Q Magazine". NewsBlaze. November 16, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
61. Apar, Corey. "Bullet for My Valentine > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
62. Clarke, Betty (November 18, 2008). "Pop review: Bullet for My Valentine, Alexandra Palace, London". The Guardian. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
63. "Award double for rockers Slipknot". BBC News. August 4, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
64. "Bullet for My Valentine win Kerrang! award". Ultimate Guitar Archive. August 29, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2007.

External links

• Official website

• Welsh heavy metal musical groups
• British metalcore musical groups
• British thrash metal musical groups
• Musical groups established in 1998
• Musical quartets
• Jive Records artists
• Kerrang! Awards winners
• People from Bridgend
• 1990s music groups
• 2000s music groups
• 2010s music groups