Is The Poison a good place to start with Bullet for My Valentine?

Yes, The Poison is recommended as a starting point for new Bullet for My Valentine listeners. A visceral blend of melodic hooks and aggressive riffs that defines the early 2000s metalcore landscape. Released in 2005, The Poison was Bullet for My Valentine’s debut studio album, following their earlier EP Hand of Blood. This album marked their transition from promising newcomers to significant players in the metalcore genre, establishing them as a leading band with a distinct sound characterized by emotive lyrics and heavy instrumentation.

Who is The Poison for?

The Poison works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long immersive listening sessions and wave-like pacing experience.

How many songs are on The Poison?

The Poison has 23 tracks, running approximately 91 minutes.

Released 21 years ago this October

The Poison

Bullet for My Valentine · 2005

91 min · 23 tracks · punk rock

A visceral blend of melodic hooks and aggressive riffs that defines the early 2000s metalcore landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Her Voice Resides Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Tears Don’t Fall — This track combines heartfelt lyrics with anthemic choruses and intricate guitar work, showcasing the band's signature style that blends emotion with aggression.
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4 Words (to Choke Upon) — With its driving rhythm and catchy chorus, this song exemplifies the album's energetic vibe while addressing themes of regret and heartbreak.
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All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) — This track captures the essence of the band's lyrical depth and musical complexity, making it a defining anthem of their early career.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines melodic hooks with aggressive riffs, characteristic of mid-2000s metalcore, solidifying its place in the genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brief instrumental intro that sets a dark tone before launching into high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs.
Melodic choruses are frequently juxtaposed with harsh vocal deliveries, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
Several tracks feature breakdowns that emphasize rhythm over melody, typical of the metalcore genre, particularly in songs like 'Tears Don’t Fall' and 'Hit the Floor'.
The running time is tightly packed, with most tracks averaging around three to four minutes, maintaining a relentless pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing experience
powerful riffs for motivation
contemplative late-night moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established their reputation and commercial success in the metal scene.
Career context: Released in 2005, The Poison was Bullet for My Valentine’s debut studio album, following their earlier EP Hand of Blood. This album marked their transition from promising newcomers to significant players in the metalcore genre, establishing them as a leading band with a distinct sound characterized by emotive lyrics and heavy instrumentation.
Stylistic neighbors: Killswitch Engage· Parkway Drive· As I Lay Dying

New to Bullet for My Valentine? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Tears Don’t Fall

The climactic bridge layers contrasting emotions as the vocals shift from despair to defiance.

This structural pivot enhances the emotional intensity, effectively mirroring the tumultuous themes present throughout the song.

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 Intro 2:22
2 Her Voice Resides Start here 4:18
3 4 Words (to Choke Upon) 3:43
4 Tears Don’t Fall 5:48
5 Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do) 3:35
6 Hit the Floor 3:30
7 All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) 3:45
8 Room 409 4:01
9 The Poison 3:39
10 10 Years Today 3:56
11 Cries in Vain 3:56
12 Spit You Out 4:07
13 The End 6:45
14 7 Days 3:24
15 My Fist, Your Mouth, Her Scars 3:52
16 Spit You Out (live at Brixton Academy, London) 4:17
17 All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) (live at Brixton Academy, London) 4:03

Disc 2

1 Hand of Blood 3:32
2 4 Words (To Choke Upon) 3:49
3 Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do) 3:35
4 4 Words (To Choke Upon) (filmed live at Club Quattro, Shibuya, Tokyo) 3:43
5 Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do) (filmed live at Club Quattro, Shibuya, Tokyo) 3:39
6 Cries in Vain (filmed live at Club Quattro, Shibuya, Tokyo) 4:12