ALBUM REVIEW: Bring Me The Horizon || There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret

(via absolutepunk)

The talent has always been there for Bring Me The Horizon. It was evident on their Epitaph debut, Suicide Season. Sure, you might hate Oli Sykes personality, you might hate the type of fans BMTH has, but you cannot deny that the Sheffield, England, quintet can absolutely set the stage on fire. I’m here to give you all a first look into their brand new album, There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret, due out October 5th through Epitaph Records.

1. “Crucify Me” - 6:20
The first track starts out gently, but don’t get used to it. The guitars and drums thunder down as Sykes powerful yell overtakes the tempo. Immediately I can tell this is a much tighter and cohesive offering from BMTH. Another treat is everyone’s favorite electro-pop girl, Lights. Her voice is like a flower appearing out of a war zone, as she hauntingly repeats the album title a few times before Sykes’ voice re-enters. A stunning beginning to one of Epitaph’s biggest 2010 releases.

2. “Anthem” - 4:50
It’s never been a secret that guitarist Lee Malia could shred. But this album is also the debut of BMTH new rhythm guitarist Jona Weinhofen. He doesn’t miss a beat, and this track is one of many examples of their stellar playing. Heavy throughout and sure to incite the riot, the band also subtly insert some melodic riffs underneath all the pummeling. The final minute is absolutely crushing.

3. “It Never Ends” - 4:34
This is the track from the official album teaser posted here a few days ago. It starts lightly, showing off the band’s new tricks on this record. Really, you can hear the significance of the album title here. The battle between hell and heaven, and this track is a great example. It blends delicacy with brutality. The voices coming from the choir is chilling, and this is just a huge track. Additional orchestration is the cherry on top of BMTH best song yet.

4. “Fuck” - 4:55
This track brings out the thrash mentality of the band, but the vocals of You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi is a nice touch. A lot of sweet riffing from Malia as well. This is metal through and through.

5. “Don’t Go” - 4:58
BMTH throws another curve ball here, as “Don’t Go” starts out beautifully with strings and gentle guitar strums setting the mood before Sykes passionately screams over it (ex: “So God please forgive me for all my sins!”). It’s the most vulnerable song in the band’s career. Lights is also featured on this track, and she and Skyes have a nice call-and-return before the climatic ending. Single potential here.

6. “Home Sweet Hole” - 4:38
This is the BMTH you fell in love with on Suicide Season. The rhythm section of bassist Matt Kean and drummer Matt Nicholls shines here, as they provide the backbone to the verses. The group shouts of “Home sweet hole!” are bound to stick in your head for a while.

7. “Alligator Blood” - 4:32
Breakdown city here. Nicholls is at home here with his double bass kick and clean drum fills. Yes, the added bells and whistles are great on this record, but we still need a few songs like this on the record were we can lose our minds.

8. “Visions” - 4:09
Very similar to the previous track, but with a catchier guitar riff. Potential to be another single.

9. “Blacklist” - 4:00
Starts with a muted pulse and a grungy riff. This song is just filthy, the kind you find in the gutter and love. Sykes also adds some electronic modifications to his voice while also incorporating a different vocal delivery. A nice change of tempo track for the record.

10. “Memorial” - 3:10
Ahh, this song is right up my alley. A dark and slowly paced instrumental, it includes my favorite instrument of all - the organ - and layers it with a cornucopia of noises. It gives you a chance to catch your breath and reflect.

11. “Blessed With A Curse” - 5:08
The previous instrumental leads perfectly into this track with a constant pulsation, electronic drumming, and elegant chords. I mention earlier that the album showcases the battle between heaven and hell, and you can hear it again here. Soft and loud collide here, Sykes does some shouting-singing over the verses, which lead into some epic sounding crescendos, showing off a completely different side of the band. Another huge stride for BMTH. The pinnacle of the album.

12. “Fox And The Wolf” - 1:43
The final (and shortest) track on the album, it’s a fireball of a closer. Josh Scogin joins Sykes in this growlfest, which will result in numerous head injuries.

My first impression of Bring Me The Horizon’s second Epitaph album, There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret is wow. The band took huge strides from their previous album and have created the best album of their career and one of the best heavy releases of 2010. Many of you will be stunned by this. This is one hell of a firestorm.

Just in case you aren’t aware of the BMTH new album pre-order bundle:

“Tracklisting

1. Crucify Me – 6:20 
2. Anthem – 4:50 
3. It Never Ends – 4:34 
4. Fuck – 4:55 
5. Don’t Go – 4:58 
6. Home Sweet Hole – 4:38 
7. Alligator Blood – 4:32 
8. Visions – 4:09 
9. Blacklist – 4:00 
10. Memorial – 3:10 
11. Blessed With A Curse – 5:08 
12. The Fox And The Wolf – 1:43 

There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret is, in many ways, a concept album. Frontman Oli Sykes vividly explores humanity’s collective good nature and the celestial euphoria associated with love, lust, truth and desire; this is balanced by the darkness and evil that is likely buried deep inside all of us. Lyrically and musically, the album is the band’s most honest work to date as Sykes lays bare his fears, weaknesses and anger, which is just one layer on this truly progressive and advanced third album.

After the commercial and critical success of Suicide Season, BMTH were determined to explore the more experimental side of their music, refusing to be confined to the unwritten rules of the scene that spawned and catapulted them to worldwide domination. The band locked themselves away in a lochside mansion deep in rural Scotland for the majority of the writing period, and, free from distractions, the band were able to push their writing further than ever. Yet the album still includes the trademark elements that have become staples of BMTH’s sound since 2006 – precision guitar riffs, venomously dark lyrics, massive breakdowns and gang vocals destined to be chants at the band’s incendiary live shows. From the progressive opening riff and digital manipulation of choristers in the epic ‘Crucify Me’, to the violins of ‘Don’t Go’, to instrumental track ‘Memorial’, it quickly becomes clear that this is an album like no other and Bring Me The Horizon is cementing their place outside of any scene or genre boundaries.

Bundle Includes

• Bring Me The Horizon There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret CD
• Bring Me The Horizon There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret Download
• Bring Me The Horizon Owl T-Shirt.
• Bring Me The Horizon There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret Album T-Shirt. “

It is $37.99 per item. Take a look!

This is what the back of the album cover shirt looks like:

Find everything that I just told you and more here! Start spending!

-Megan