It's been a while since we heard any new Bullet material. Their last record, "Fever", was unleashed back in April 2010 and turned out to be their most successful yet. Good then that lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Tuck has stated that the follow up will sound 'a lot like' it. Not a bad thing by any means.
Temper Temper is their latest single and unfortunately it raises a few eyebrows. Notably the lyrics, which are always pretty standard from a band like Bullet but this time try to be overly hip and simplistic and actually come out sounding childish and lazy. "This time you better bite that tongue. Think twice before you open that mouth..." warns Tuck in the first minute, while in the music video an anger management class starts 'kicking off' and the attendees begin throwing things at each other. It's more anger driven talking-then yelling about exploding with rage and being annoyed and acting the rebel...capturing perfectly the woes of a hormone riddled teenage boy.
Musically, the song is very radio friendly. It's certainly catchy. The chorus is a tuneful shoutalong that will easily get crowds pushing each other about come summertime. However I get the slight impression the band might be trying to appeal to just a few too many people, rather than their metal devotees. Yet the song won't earn Bullet any new fans, as it's too easy to think 'we've heard this all before'. A slightly more accessible sound may seem like a good idea but when a ferocious song like 'Your Betrayal' can find its way into daytime Radio 1, it doesn't seem necessary to record such a dainty, pop remeniscent song where the aggression is strained and the lyrics simple enough for your household pets to start yowling along.
Temper Temper is like a cheap, watered down cocktail. All the promise of something special given the reputation, but ultimately this is weak and pretty tasteless. All bark, no bite.
2.5 out of 5
Catch Bullet For My Valentine next June at Download Festival 2013, Donington, UK
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