Album Review: The Phantom Tomorrow – Black Veil Brides

There’s something undeniably electric about a Black Veil Brides concept album. The band’s latest release, The Phantom Tomorrow, offers a cinematic experience that both new and old fans are sure to embrace.

The album’s title track immediately sets the tone, dropping the listener into a sprawling sonic landscape packed with drama and intrigue. At just a minute and a half, this instrumental introduction quickly helps build anticipation for the journey ahead.

The first single, “Scarlet Cross,” fully immerses the listener into the dystopian-like landscape where the story is set. Vocalist Andy Biersack shines with his powerful, impassioned delivery. Things escalate with the stand-out track, “Born Again,” that offers an adrenaline-packed adventure that will translate well to the band’s high-energy live show.

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“Blackbird” introduces the hero of the story with plenty of flair. It’s a catchy track with a chorus that listeners will find themselves singing along to in no time. The song is a great example of the band’s ability to weave the overarching narrative seamlessly across the record while still allowing each individual track to stand on its own.

Upon glancing at the tracklist, long-time Black Veil Brides fans are likely to be curious about “Shadows Rise.” With a title reminiscent of “Shadows Die” from the 2013 release, Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones, it sparks curiosity before it’s even been played.

The song serves as one of the highlights of the album overall, featuring beautiful violin work from guitarist Jinxx. It revisits some instrumental elements of the older song, while refreshing others to create a remarkable new piece of work. It’s a nice nod to their history that stands up well within the structure and sound of this new story.

Fans looking for a bit more aggression may gravitate towards “Crimson Skies” and “The Wicked One” – two epic tracks perfect for shouting along. For those seeking something a little bit softer, we’d recommend “Torch,” a melodic offering with plenty of heart.

Our favorite track on the album, “Fall Eternal,” brings the story to a close with a haunting vocal performance from Biersack. This introspective cut shines with emotion and showcases the growth of the band into this new era. The song beautifully balances theatrical instrumental solos with an anthemic chorus one can’t help singing along with. It’s slick and mature while still maintaining the signature, larger-than-life quality that fans have grown to expect from Black Veil Brides.

As the final notes fade out, we say goodbye to the world of The Phantom Tomorrow. The story feels concluded, with the finale offering a brilliant sendoff layered with enough storytelling to ignite the listener’s imagination long after it ends.

With wildly catchy guitar riffs, powerful vocals and a spirit of optimism pitted against darker themes – this record offers a unique, moving experience that feels genuine to the band’s roots. Overall, The Phantom Tomorrow feels like a triumph for the rockers and we’re excited to see what comes next for them.