Album Review: The Phantom Tomorrow - Black Veil Brides
*Disclaimer: This review is my opinion and take on the album*
I'll preference this review by saying, that I am a long-time fan of Black Veil Brides. I found them in 2009 and have followed their careers and musical evolution throughout the last 12 years. My favorite albums are We Stitch These Wounds (2010), Set The World On Fire (2011), and Restitch These Wounds (2020).
The release of The Phantom Tomorrow is something I've been looking forward to since its announcement. Stylistically, this era has become one of my favorites. The dark, gothic costumes with religious undertones harken back to their debut album, WSTW, and almost feels like a "grown-up" version of that era. While the BVB4 and Vale eras didn't really have a strong theatrical piece, TPT certainly does. There has even been influencing stylistically from STWOF, with a flair of 80s rock aesthetics.
The concept album is set in a dystopian world and has clear political, religious, and social-cultural influences that are evident in the storyline and lyrics. It's a timely album coming out of a global pandemic and tumultuous time in American politics. Songs like Torch reference the idea of "truth" or "reality" being subjective, something that has taken a strong foothold in politics. The storyline, while still somewhat to be revealed can be seen in a multitude of ways.
First, there is an explicit story being told through the characters Blackbird, Nine, Scarlet, etc, and their lives in The Phantom Tomorrow universe. Then there is a more metaphorical aspect, with similarities to those in The Handmaid's Tale, 1984, The Scarlet Letter, and of course, references to biblical stories. Lastly, there is a clear thread present throughout the album of a band that has had to fight to survive. Of a frontman (Andy Black/Biersack) who has dedicated his career to an idea that he founded the band on, and has fought tooth and nail to defend.
All of this has culminated in an album with the ability to turn even the staunches of Black Veil haters into believers. Nothing is held back, and sonically it's the best the band has sounded to date. The expertise of Jinxx, Jake, CC, and Lonny are on display with intricate guitar solos, drum lines, and in-your-face intros that will demand your attention. Biersack's voice shows tremendous growth and takes center stage on tracks like Torch and Fall Eternal. While gang vocals and sing-along choruses that have come to be expected in Black Veil's albums are present, so too are more melodic, emotionally charged verses that leave you with chills. Heavy guitars and drums have always been stable in Black Veil's albums, but I think this album places the vocals at the forefront which works very well while still keeping the elements of previous albums. It really showcases Biersack's growth as a singer.
One thing is clear, Black Veil is here to take the crown. With a part-two of TPT already announced you can be certain, this is only the beginning.
See below for a track by track review
The Phantom Tomorrow (Introduction): The intro is ominous, I think it nicely leads into the first song on the album and helps to tie it together. I love when bands put intros or intermissions on their albums, it makes listening all the way through feel like a production instead of just a collection of songs.
Scarlet Cross: As the first song on the album and first single released, Scarlet Cross sets the tone for the album. You can feel the emotions in the lyrics, especially in the haunting pre-chorus "the end is coming". The chorus is easy to sing along with and plays well into the overall concept of the album. Well constructed and catchy, it's no secret why the single gained on the charts. I can easily foresee this song being a staple piece in Black Veil's discography.
Born Again: This song is very true to what is quintessentially Black Veil, yet still brings something new to the table. A very symbolic song after the band's hiatus and lineup change. Born Again is a powerful battle cry that you can scream at the top of your lungs at a concert or driving down the highway. It's one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, and its placement early in the album fits well.
Blackbird: I really like the guitars in this song, I think they flow well and pair with the lyrics. The chorus rhythm is unique and catchy, the lyrics are honest and inspirational. The song also introduces the character Blackbird, with the lyrics hinting at a crucial part of the story I believe.
Spectress (Interlude): The instrumentals in this track almost give a sense of urgency and tie in well to the song Blackbird. A violin plays the melody of the chorus before leading into Torch where the album makes a tonal shift.
Torch: This is hands down, my favorite song on the album. A very different song for the band, it is truly memorizing. Its dramatic intro and charged lyrics give it a unique flair that will have you pressing repeat. The song feels climatic, the build-up to the chorus is excellently executed as Biersack showcases his vocal abilities. There is an almost jaded, apathetic, and nihilistic vibe to the song, in my opinion, similar to the title track of the band's first album, We Stitch These Wounds. A cathartic song for anyone who has been disheartened by events, be that in their own lives or the world at large.
The Wicked One: From the first 10 seconds I knew I was going to love this song. A prominent and heavy guitar riff opens the song, followed by aggressive lyrics. The song has a flawless ebb and flow, speeding up and slowing down in a way that makes this track stand out.
Shadows Rise: This song truly left me speechless. Shadows Die is my favorite song off W&D and this song is clearly meant as a follow-up to it. It has a similar intro and build-up. The chorus is perfect, the lyrics slightly controversial and daring. The nearly five-minute song comes to a haunting point around minute 2, the violins adding to the eeriness. There are so many amazing parts to this song, including the line "all the shadows kill the light" around the 3:30 mark. This song is easily one of the best on the albums and my favorite from a lyrical standpoint.
Fields of Bone: This song has perhaps one of the best breakdowns on the album, with the entire band chanting the line "all the sinners are sent to rest". The lyrics feel symbolic of the struggles the band has experienced, behind the religious imagery there is a clear message present. One of the things I love most about Black Veil is the metaphors used, especially biblical ones. It invites the listener to investigate the "true meaning" of the song which isn't explicitly stated. Fields of Bone is a shining example of this type of writing.
Crimson Skies: The song starts off heavy with guitars coming in immediately. I think its placement in the tracklist fits, with Fields of Bone building up the aggression. Crimson Skies takes no prisoners, amping up with a battle cry chorus, and even features screaming vocals that fans of older albums will love.
Kill The Hero: The start of this song is so creepy and I love it. The first few lines of the song had my jaw on the floor (IYKYK). It becomes very evident by this point in the album that the story has taken a drastic turn. The transition from more upbeat, inspirational songs to darker, angrier songs seems to contradict the normal progression of stories. I like it though, I think it tells an interesting story which I'm sure with the comic books coming will start to become clearer. "Rise with the villains, and die with the hero" stands out in this song, perhaps representing the idea of finding your way to the light or "good" even if it means sacrificing something.
Fall Eternal: This is an interesting way to end an album, and similar to how Vale ended with a more subdued and solemn song. Despite its more mellow tone, it's incredibly powerful and strong as a song. Deeply emotional and beautifully composed. Biersack's voice is smooth and melodic, hitting high and low notes with ease. The song has an instrumental interlude that leads into the 3-minute mark where the lyrics pick back up. Biersack's voice is heavy with emotion giving me chills when I first heard it.
Top Three Tracks: Torch, Shadows Rise, Fall Eternal
Overall Rating: 10/10
