Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Black Veil Brides - Vale (2018)

The Wild Ones' story wasn't just in Wretched and Divine. Black Veil Brides had the idea of expanding the concept with a prequel album. The band certainly had fun making this album, but it would eventually be their last with longtime bassist Ashley Purdy. Although both parts of the concept are good, I give Vale slightly more pointage than Wretched and Divine, having more maturity...

Vale was released on January 12, 2018. I remember that date very well as when I initially severed ties with more epic melodic metal genres for heavier ones like metalcore, though I wasn't into Black Veil Brides until recently. The band's debut is still lightyears ahead into perfection, but Vale is more enjoyable than any of the albums in between.

"Incipiens Ad Finem" is just the spoken intro. Luckily, they don't have any more of those interludes in this album. And now, "The Last One"... More like the chosen one, as it's perfectly chosen as the opening song. "Wake Up" isn't as perfect as the previous track, but it still impresses me with its anthemic vibe and great soloing. "When They Call My Name" is a bit mediocre, while not entirely bad.

"The Outsider" is an excellent single, the perfect first teaser of the album back in late 2016. Everything's in great balance there! "Dead Man Walking (Overture II)" is the longest song by the band, and probably the best one too. An awesome epic! "Our Destiny" is a little closer to filler territory. "The King of Pain" is slightly more enjoyable.

"My Vow" is more upbeat and fresh. This is the kind of energy I expect this band and similar bands. "Ballad of the Lonely Hearts" isn't all that great, and it doesn't sound like too much of a ballad. "Throw the First Stone" I can accept a little more. "Vale (This Is Where It Ends)" is where the album really ends on a somber note. This power ballad is a grand way to complete the Story of the Wild Ones.

As the alt-metal era of Black Veil Brides goes on, they gradually get better and better. However, they're still far away from the metalcore glory of their debut. That said, if you'd like to hear the band's mid-2010s sound in a more mature fashion, Vale has it all....

Favorites: "The Last One", "Wake Up", "The Outsider", "Dead Man Walking (Overture II)", "My Vow", "Vale (This Is Where It Ends)"