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Scream Aim Fire
Scream Aim Fire
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Scream Aim Fire
Studio album by
Bullet for My Valentine
Released28 January 2008
RecordedSeptember 2006 – November 2007[1]
Studio
  • Sonic Ranch, Texas
  • Rockfield, Monmouthshire
  • Nott-in-Pill Studios, Newport
  • The Dairy, London
Genre
Length52:31
Label
ProducerColin Richardson
Bullet for My Valentine chronology
The Poison
(2005) 		Scream Aim Fire
(2008) 		Fever
(2010)
Singles from Scream Aim Fire
  1. "Scream Aim Fire"
    Released: 18 December 2007
  2. "Hearts Burst into Fire"
    Released: 31 March 2008
  3. "Waking the Demon"
    Released: 25 April 2008
Deluxe edition cover
Artwork used for the deluxe edition cover

Scream Aim Fire is the second studio album by Welsh heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine. The album was released on 28 January 2008 in the United Kingdom and the preceding day in the United States through Jive Records. Since its release, Scream Aim Fire has sold over 1,400,000 copies worldwide.[6] It is the band's most commercially successful effort in Australia, earning a gold certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in addition to a gold certification from both the band's native British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom and the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) in Germany.

In contrast to Bullet for My Valentine's debut, The Poison (2005), Scream Aim Fire explores a thrash metal style in addition to the band's melodic metalcore sound.

Music style and background

[edit]

With a style different from that of Bullet for My Valentine's previous album The Poison, Scream Aim Fire has less screaming but much more aggressive instrumentation. The album features a thrash metal style[2][7] in addition to their previously established metalcore sound.[8][9][10]

Writing and recording

[edit]

Recording of the album was complete in November 2007 with vocalist/guitarist Matthew Tuck telling Kerrang! magazine he was looking forward to be working with guest producer Alec Cartio again.[citation needed]

Release and promotion

[edit]

At midnight on 28 January, Bullet for My Valentine were present in Cardiff to do an album signing to go with the release of the album. At 18:00 the same day, they did a 20-minute performance at HMV in Oxford Circus with 300 present to get their album signed.[citation needed]

A 15-minute album commentary was released on the US digital single for "Scream Aim Fire", released on 18 December 2007, along with the track "Eye of the Storm",[citation needed] which was also released on a free Kerrang! CD and as a free download for signing up to the Sony BMG mailing list.[citation needed]

The second single from the album, "Hearts Burst into Fire", was announced by the band during their UK tour. Matt Tuck said that the band recorded the song live for the music video.[citation needed]

"Waking the Demon" is the third and final single of the album.

Reception

[edit]

Critical

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.comStarStarStarHalf star[4]
AbsolutePunk76%[11]
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[5]
BBC(Positive)[12]
Drowned in SoundStarStarStarStarStarStar[13]
IGN(6.7/10)[14]
Kerrang!StarStarStar
Metal HammerStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar
MusicOMHStarStarStarHalf star[15]
Total GuitarStarStarStarStarStar
NMEStarStarStarStar[7]
Ultimate Guitar(7/10)[16]

Critical reception to Scream Aim Fire has been mostly positive.

Katherine Fulton of AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars out of 5, commenting that the band "maintains a blistering pace throughout most of Scream Aim Fire, not even slowing down for "Hearts Burst Into Fire," the first of two love songs featured on the album." Fulton concluded that the album is "definitely harder and more aggressive than the band's debut album, The Poison, which had a sound evenly divided between emo and metal."[17]

Mike Sterry of NME also awarded the album 4 stars out of 5, stating that it "might have pretensions about the current political climate but to us it sounds like the soundtrack to the zombie holocaust: the heartbreak of unloading a 12-gauge into your eldest child, rebuilding a ruined world one grain at a time and putting down millions of dead."[18]

Ultimate Guitar scored the album a 7/10, stating that "each song features beautifully executed riffs and there are solos galore. The opening title track Scream Aim Fire is solid example, with everything from a driving intro to some killer pinch harmonics midway through." The reviewer, however, added that "the most aggressive tracks aren't what make the biggest impression on Scream Aim Fire. Say Goodnight could easily be the best tune on the album, with a clean, stripped-down intro and unaffected vocals delivered by Tuck."[19]

Some reviews of the album were less enthusiastic. Chris Nettleton of Drowned in Sound scored the album a 6/10, writing that "where you would have liked them to open a few new doors in the search to find a sound that was distinctly their own, they appear to have just piled on more Maiden, more Metallica, more Slayer, and a dash of Slipknot drumming. It’s unlikely to estrange anyone who likes them already, but I’m not sure Scream Aim Fire is going to win too many new acolytes."[13] Andrew Blackie of PopMatters panned the album, commenting, "The lyrics are on a parallel with the music’s one-dimensionality and tonelessness, the choruses are even more samey and interchangeable than they were on The Poison. There is also a greater distance than ever between dreary pedal to the metal numb-rock and equally insipid mushy power ballads, swinging the album’s core into sudden highs and lows throughout like a diabetic."[20]

Commercial

[edit]

The album went straight to number 5 in the UK albums chart and number 4 in the Australian album charts. Additionally, it hit number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of about 53,000. Since its release, Scream Aim Fire has sold over 1,000,000 copies worldwide.

The title track of the album is featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. The track "Waking the Demon" is available for download for both Rock Band and Rock Band 2 for the price of $1.99. "Scream Aim Fire", "Tears Don't Fall", as well as, "Your Betrayal" are available on Rock Band 3 in a pack for $5.49 for the three or $1.99 Individually. The track "Hearts Burst into Fire" is featured in the video game NHL 09.

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Bullet for My Valentine.

No.TitleLength
1."Scream Aim Fire"4:26
2."Eye of the Storm"4:02
3."Hearts Burst into Fire"4:57
4."Waking the Demon"4:07
5."Disappear"4:05
6."Deliver Us from Evil"5:58
7."Take It Out on Me" (featuring Benji Webbe)5:52
8."Say Goodnight"4:43
9."End of Days"4:18
10."Last to Know"3:17
11."Forever and Always"6:46
Total length:52:31
Deluxe edition
No.TitleLength
12."Road to Nowhere"4:19
13."Watching Us Die Tonight"3:53
14."One Good Reason Why"4:04
15."Ashes of the Innocent"4:17
Total length:69:04
Japanese limited edition
No.TitleLength
12."No Easy Way Out" (Robert Tepper cover)4:32
13."Ashes of the Innocent"4:15
14."Hearts Burst into Fire" (Acoustic)3:56
15."Creeping Death" (Metallica cover)6:39
16."Crazy Train" (Ozzy Osbourne cover)4:51
Total length:76:44
Digipak, USB and vinyl edition
No.TitleLength
12."Ashes of the Innocent"4:17
Total length:56:48
iTunes edition
No.TitleLength
12."Creeping Death" (Metallica cover)6:39
13."Ashes of the Innocent" (pre-order bonus track)4:14
Total length:63:24
German iTunes edition
No.TitleLength
12."Say Goodnight" (Acoustic)3:14
Total length:55:45

DVDs

[edit]

Japanese limited edition DVD

[edit]
  • "Scream Aim Fire" music video
  • The Making of "Scream Aim Fire"
  • Bullet TV:
    • Welcome to the Studio
    • Sonic Ranch Cribs
    • Night at the Ranch
    • Quad Pinching
  • Photo Gallery
  • Scream Aim Fire: The Comics

Deluxe edition DVD

[edit]
  • 3 music videos:
    • Scream Aim Fire
    • Waking the Demon
    • Hearts Burst into Fire
  • Bullet TV:
    • Drinking
    • Switzerland
    • Japan
    • Travel to Oz
    • Australia/New Zealand

USB edition

[edit]

Bullet for My Valentine have also released the album on a metal bullet-shaped Flash Drive with the band's symbol engraved into it.[21] The bullet-shaped Flash Drive has the same properties as the Special Edition CD, with the inclusion of a 15-minute track-by-track video commentary, 4 wallpapers, and the booklet/insert in PDF format.

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes.

Bullet for My Valentine
  • Matthew Tuck – lead vocals, guitar, bass (uncredited)
  • Michael "Moose" Thomas – drums
  • Michael "Padge" Paget – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jay James – bass (credited but does not perform),[22][23] vocals
Additional musician
  • Benji Webbe – additional vocals/lyrics on "Take It Out on Me"
Production
Art
  • Jeff Gilligan – art direction, design
  • Don Clark – photo-illustrations for Invisible Creature
  • Chapman Baehler – photography

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[45] Gold 35,000^
Germany (BVMI)[46] Gold 100,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Gold 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Scream Aim Fire

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Scream Aim Fire is the second studio album by the Welsh heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine, released on 28 January 2008 in the United Kingdom and 29 January 2008 in the United States by Jive Records. The album was produced by Colin Richardson, who had also worked on the band's debut The Poison (2005), and recorded across studios in Wales, Texas, and London. It consists of 11 tracks, including the title song "Scream Aim Fire," "Hearts Burst into Fire," and "Waking the Demon," clocking in at a total runtime of approximately 52 minutes. The record incorporates metalcore and heavy metal styles, with influences from thrash metal, marking a heavier sonic direction compared to the band's previous work. Upon release, Scream Aim Fire achieved commercial success, debuting at number 4 on the US chart with first-week sales of 53,000 copies and number 2 on the Rock Albums chart. In the , it peaked at number 5 on the Official Albums Chart and spent 6 weeks in the top 100. The album also reached number 4 in and number 3 in . Three singles were released from the album: the title track in December 2007, followed by "" and "" in 2008, with accompanying music videos that contributed to the band's growing international profile. A deluxe edition, including bonus tracks and a live DVD, was issued later in 2008.

Background

Musical style

Scream Aim Fire represents a significant evolution for Bullet for My Valentine, transitioning from the melodic metalcore sound of their debut album The Poison (2005) to a heavier integration of thrash metal influences. This shift manifests in faster tempos, more aggressive guitar riffs, and intensified double-kick drumming patterns, creating a sound that prioritizes speed and intensity over the groove-oriented structures of their earlier work. The album's overall tone is more metallic and urgent, drawing on the band's desire to explore beyond metalcore conventions while maintaining their signature melodic hooks. Key to this evolution are the riff structures and song pacing, which echo classic influences like Metallica, , , , and —bands the members covered in their pre-Bullet for My Valentine project, Jeff Killed John. Guitarists and Michael Paget employ layered arrangements with rapid palm-muted riffs and technical solos, as heard in tracks like "" and the title song, emphasizing precision and aggression. Drummer Michael "Moose" Thomas delivers complex, fast-paced fills and double-kick sequences that propel the music forward, while bassist Jason James provides a more prominent low-end presence compared to the debut. These elements contribute to a thrash-inspired heaviness without fully abandoning the band's melodic roots. Vocally, adopts a heavier, more varied approach, blending clean, melodic with harsh shouts and screams to suit the album's metallic edge, though his delivery is somewhat restrained due to vocal cord —a in 2007 that required speech and limited extreme . This results in a balance where clean vocals dominate anthemic choruses, such as in "," while harsher elements underscore the aggression in faster sections. Production by enhances these aspects through crisp layering of guitars and a polished mix that amplifies the instrumentation's dynamics, fostering a battlefield-like intensity across the record.

Conceptual influences

The album title Scream Aim Fire draws from the military command "ready, aim, fire," altered to evoke the chaotic intensity and precision of combat, symbolizing the band's response to mounting pressures following the success of their debut album . Frontman explained that the title track's lyrics capture the visceral experience of frontline warfare, portraying a "kill-or-be-killed" mindset where one's life hangs in the balance amid blinding smoke, pounding hearts, and fallen comrades. This war imagery marked a deliberate shift toward more aggressive, thematic depth, reflecting the band's desire to channel emotional and professional turmoil into a rallying cry of release and confrontation. Lyrically, Scream Aim Fire explores themes of , , and inner conflict, evolving beyond the relationship-focused, fictional narratives of . Tuck sought to incorporate "real stuff" drawn from personal and band experiences, including songs and depictions of warfare as metaphors for emotional . Tracks like "Take It Out on Me" address retaliatory anger in strained relationships, while "" delves into the pain of romantic disillusionment and loss, influenced by the interpersonal strains of fame. This maturation allowed the band to infuse their music with heightened authenticity, prioritizing raw over earlier melodic . The album's conceptual foundation stems from the band's post-debut challenges, including the highs and lows of constant touring and Tuck's vocal , where throat surgeries left him fearing the end of his singing career. These pressures, amplified by sudden fame, inspired themes of resilience and cathartic release, positioning the record as a response to internal and external battles. Tuck emphasized experimenting with warfare motifs to convey this turmoil, aiming for a more mature expression of the aggression that defined their sound. The reinforces these motifs of impending conflict and turmoil, featuring stark white pillars—symbolizing fragile or stability—encircled by vultures and engulfed by an ominous , evoking a sense of inevitable downfall and predatory tension. This visual concept ties directly into the album's themes of emotional and metaphorical warfare, underscoring the precision and fury implied by the title.

Production

Songwriting

Songwriting for Scream Aim Fire commenced in September 2006 at The Dairy studio in , , where the band crafted initial demos emphasizing fast-paced, thrash-influenced riffs to intensify the album's aggression while maintaining melodic elements. The group targeted 11 tracks to align with the length of their debut album , focusing on a structure that balanced heavy instrumentation with accessible hooks. These early sessions highlighted a shift toward old-school metal influences like Metallica and , incorporating thrashy riffing as referenced in the album's broader musical style. Vocalist and guitarist handled the majority of the lyric-writing, drawing from personal experiences to infuse themes of emotional turmoil and resilience into the material. For instance, "Take It Out on Me" explores strains in relationships through the lens of offering oneself as an outlet for and , reflecting Tuck's approach amid the band's demanding touring schedule. This personal contrasted with the album's overarching motifs of warfare and , allowing Tuck to blend vulnerability with the record's combative tone. Riff development was a collaborative effort among Tuck, Michael "Padge" Paget, and Michael "Moose" Thomas, who contributed to structuring the songs' aggressive yet melodic frameworks during jam sessions. The trio prioritized integrating dynamic guitar lines with rhythmic drive, ensuring the compositions retained Bullet for My Valentine's signature blend of intensity and catchiness before finalizing demos. For the deluxe edition, the band included a cover of Metallica's "" as a bonus track.

Recording process

The recording of Scream Aim Fire took place over three months, from September to November 2007, across multiple studios to capture the band's evolving heavier sound. Principal sessions occurred at in , USA, where much of the core instrumentation was laid down, followed by additional work at in Monmouth, ; Nott-in-Pill Studios in Newport, ; and The Dairy in , . Mixing was handled at Strongroom Studios in , with mastering completed at Sterling Sound in New York. Producer , who had previously helmed the band's debut album , returned to oversee the project, bringing a more aggressive and polished production aesthetic that emphasized the album's thrash-influenced metal elements. His approach involved layering techniques to achieve a dense, wall-of-sound texture in the heavier sections, while ensuring vocal prominence amid the intensity. Richardson's rough mixes during were noted for their immediate high quality, setting a professional tone for the full sessions. The process faced significant challenges, particularly with frontman Matt Tuck's vocal health. Tuck underwent an emergency tonsillectomy due to recurring infections stemming from extensive touring after , which led to vocal problems and forced a nine-month recovery period during which he could not sing, delaying the start of recording. Due to ongoing vocal recovery, demo vocals were used for some tracks. This setback nearly led to discussions of replacing him, though the band stood by Tuck as he regained his abilities. Additionally, while bassist Jason James received credit for bass and backing vocals, Tuck handled all bass recordings himself, reflecting internal dynamics around instrumental contributions during a period of lineup solidification. The final mixes prioritized clarity in the aggressive riffs and breakdowns, balancing the album's speed and ferocity without muddiness.

Release

Marketing and promotion

The marketing and promotion for Scream Aim Fire began with the release of its title track as the lead single on December 18, 2007, via the US iTunes store, building pre-release anticipation for the album's launch. The single included a B-side track, "Eye of the Storm," and a 15-minute album commentary to engage fans early. Accompanying the single was an official music video directed by Tony Petrossian, which blended live performance footage with thematic war imagery to align with the song's aggressive, battle-inspired lyrics. Following the album's release on January 28, 2008, in the UK and January 29 in the , promotion emphasized high-profile tours to capitalize on the band's growing international profile, particularly in and . The band embarked on the Scream Aim Fire Tour throughout 2008, performing headline shows and festival appearances across these regions to showcase material from the new record alongside fan favorites. This included support slots at major events like the in the UK and Rock am Ring in , targeting core metal audiences in key markets. In 2025, promotion of Scream Aim Fire continued through celebrations tied to the band's broader catalog, notably the co-headlining "The Poisoned Ascendancy Tour" with , which launched on January 28—the album's original release date. The tour, spanning initial dates in and with support from , featured live performances of the title track "Scream Aim Fire" alongside other songs from the album, such as "," to highlight its enduring appeal during the 17th year. However, the tour ended prematurely in May 2025 after withdrew from the remaining dates to focus on recording a new album; both bands issued statements addressing the decision and expressing appreciation for completed shows.

Album editions

The standard edition of Scream Aim Fire was released on compact disc with the album's core 11 tracks. A deluxe edition followed in 2008, expanding the CD to include four bonus tracks recorded during the album sessions: "Ashes of the Innocent," an acoustic version of "Hearts Burst into Fire," a cover of Metallica's "Creeping Death," and a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." This version also featured a bonus DVD containing music videos for "Scream Aim Fire" and "Waking the Demon," behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the album, "Bullet TV" segments on studio life and tours, a photo gallery, and promotional comics inspired by the lyrics. The Japanese limited edition, released on May 7, 2008, combined elements of the deluxe package in a two-disc set with a digipak format. It added a region-specific bonus track, a cover of Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out," alongside the deluxe bonuses, and included the same DVD content tailored for NTSC playback. A limited USB edition was issued in the UK in late 2007 as a 1GB memory stick shaped like a bullet, containing the full album in MP3 format plus the bonus track "Ashes of the Innocent." Additional digital extras comprised a 15-minute track-by-track video commentary, a printable PDF booklet, high-resolution wallpapers in multiple sizes, and screensavers, all accessible via the device's bespoke chrome packaging.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Scream Aim Fire received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics, earning an aggregate score of 60 out of 100 on Album of the Year based on 11 professional reviews, indicating solid reception without widespread acclaim as a work. commended the 's shift to a heavier, more aggressive direction compared to the band's debut, praising its thrash-influenced metal sound, driving riffs, and memorable guitar elements like the pinch harmonics in the title track, while noting the inclusion of ballads added variety and strong hooks. The review highlighted how the tipped the balance firmly toward metal, enhancing its intensity and appeal. NME awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, appreciating the energetic riffs and palatable thrash style that positioned it as "Brit-metal gold," though it pointed out some familiarity in the songwriting, such as "" echoing sounds from bands like . Mixed critiques emerged elsewhere, with rating it 6 out of 10 for its powerful execution and brilliant production, but faulting the album for lacking innovation amid familiar structures. Reviewers commonly appreciated the polished production overseen by , which contributed to the album's tight and professional sound, yet several observed it as somewhat derivative of broader trends, relying on established formulas rather than bold experimentation.

Commercial performance

Scream Aim Fire achieved strong initial commercial success upon its release, selling 53,000 copies in the United States during its first week to debut at number 4 on the chart. In the , the album entered the Official Albums Chart at number 5. These figures marked a significant step forward for , building on the momentum from their debut album . The album's global reach expanded rapidly, with over 1.4 million copies sold worldwide, driven by robust performance in and where extensive touring amplified its visibility. It has earned gold certifications in the (100,000 units), (100,000 units), and (35,000 units). Key contributing factors included the effective promotion of lead singles such as "Scream Aim Fire" and "," which received heavy radio play and airtime, alongside the band's high-profile support slots opening for Metallica on European tour dates that year, exposing them to larger audiences. This touring strategy, combined with strategic marketing efforts, helped solidify the album's market penetration beyond . From a 2025 perspective, Scream Aim Fire has experienced a resurgence through digital streaming platforms, with the accumulating over 336 million plays on as of November 2025, contributing to sustained long-tail revenue via equivalent units from streams. Tracks like the title song have individually surpassed 62 million streams on , reflecting enduring fan engagement and the shift toward on-demand consumption in the music industry.

Content

Track listing

The standard edition of Scream Aim Fire consists of 11 tracks with a total runtime of 52:32, showcasing Bullet for My Valentine's evolution toward a heavier sound while incorporating melodic elements. The album opens with the aggressive title track, setting a tone of high-energy riffs and breakdowns, before transitioning through intense songs like "" and "Deliver Us from Evil." The sequencing builds momentum in the midsection with tracks like "Say Goodnight" emphasizing vocal dynamics and guitar solos, culminating in the more melodic closer "Forever and Always," which provides an emotional resolution.
No.TitleDuration
1."Scream Aim Fire"4:26
2."Eye of the Storm"4:02
3.""4:57
4.""4:07
5."Disappear"4:05
6."Deliver Us from Evil"5:58
7."Take It Out on Me"3:58
8."Say Goodnight"4:28
9."End of Days"4:18
10.""3:17
11."Forever and Always"6:46
Various editions include bonus tracks that expand the album's scope. The deluxe edition appends "Road to Nowhere" (3:52), "Watching the Sky Fall" (4:10), an acoustic version of "" (3:22), and a cover of Metallica's "" (6:35), along with a DVD featuring footage of the recording process and live performances. The Japanese edition incorporates bonus tracks "Ashes of the Innocent" (3:21) and "No Easy Way Out" (4:07), accompanied by a DVD with live performances of songs like "" and "Scream Aim Fire" from early shows, as well as making-of segments. Digital platforms like offered exclusive bonuses such as the "" cover as a pre-order incentive, along with "Ashes of the Innocent."

Personnel

Bullet for My Valentine
  • Matthew Tuck – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Michael "Moose" Thomas – drums
  • Michael Paget – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jason James – bass, backing vocals
Production
  • – producer, mixing
  • Matt Tuck – co-producer
  • Matt Hyde – engineer, mixing
  • Ginge Ford – engineer
  • Jeff Rose – engineer
  • – mastering
Additional personnel
  • Martin Dodd – A&R
  • Darren Young – production coordinator
Artwork
  • Jeff Gilligan – art direction, design
  • Don Clark – illustration
  • Chapman Baehler – photography

Legacy

Chart performance and certifications

Scream Aim Fire debuted strongly on international charts upon its release in January 2008. In the United States, the album entered the at number 4, selling 53,000 copies in its first week. In the , it peaked at number 5 on the Official Albums Chart, while in , it reached number 4 on the Albums Chart. The album also performed well on genre-specific charts, including number 2 on the US Top Rock Albums chart.
Chart (2008)Peak Position
US Billboard 2004
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)2
UK Albums (OCC)5
Australian Albums (ARIA)4
On year-end charts, the album ranked number 78 on the German Albums Chart for 2008, reflecting its sustained popularity in . In the UK, it placed within the top 100 albums of 2008 based on sales performance leading to its certification. The album's singles achieved moderate success on various charts. The title track "Scream Aim Fire" peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. "Hearts Burst into Fire" reached number 66 on the UK Singles Chart and number 22 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. "Waking the Demon" charted at number 39 on the US Mainstream Rock chart but did not enter the UK Singles top 100.
Single (2008)UK SinglesUS Mainstream RockUK Rock & Metal
"Scream Aim Fire"34—1
"Hearts Burst into Fire"6622—
"Waking the Demon"—39—
Scream Aim Fire received several certifications for sales milestones. It was certified in for 35,000 units shipped, in the for 100,000 units, and in for 150,000 units (achieved in December 2022). The album has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. As of 2025, the album has not received a from the RIAA in the .
CountryCertificationUnits SoldDate
(ARIA)Gold35,0002008
Germany (BVMI)Gold150,000December 2022
(BPI)Gold100,000July 2013

Cultural impact and live usage

Scream Aim Fire played a pivotal role in popularizing the thrash-metalcore hybrid within the genre, blending aggressive riffs and melodic choruses with influences from classic thrash acts like Metallica and , as frontman Matt Tuck described the album's intent to capture an "old-school, super-fast, thrashy metal vibe." This fusion helped define modern 's sound during the late 2000s, contributing to Bullet for My Valentine's recognition as a key British act that advanced the genre's melodic and heavy elements. Tracks such as "" and "" emerged as arena anthems, influencing the high-energy live dynamics of subsequent metalcore bands. In live settings, songs from the album have remained enduring staples, with "Scream Aim Fire" and "Waking the Demon" frequently performed since the band's 2008 headline tours, including their Alexandra Palace show that year, which solidified their rising status. These tracks continue to feature prominently in setlists, as evidenced by performances during the 2025 North American tour, where "Waking the Demon" was played at venues like MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston and Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Similarly, "Scream Aim Fire" was delivered live at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025, highlighting its ongoing appeal to audiences. Retrospectively, the album is viewed as a transitional work bridging Bullet for My Valentine's early melodic phase to their heavier subsequent releases, though Tuck reflected in a 2021 Kerrang! interview that the band "tried too hard to show everyone what we were about as far as metal credibility goes." Initially met with mixed , it has since been warmly regarded for its bold experimentation, with no major reissues released to date but its songs maintaining a strong presence in setlists, such as the full performance at Mystic Festival 2025. This enduring live usage underscores the album's lasting influence on the band's career and fanbase loyalty.

References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/scream-aim-fire-mw0000781104
  2. https://sony.mediaroom.com/2008-02-06-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire-Debuts-at-4-on-Billboard-Album-Chart
  3. https://milocostudios.com/releases/scream-aim-fire/
  4. https://www.discogs.com/master/232474-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  5. https://blabbermouth.net/news/bullet-for-my-valentine-s-scream-enters-billboard-chart-at-no
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire/
  7. https://www.discogs.com/release/1918956-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  8. https://music.apple.com/us/album/scream-aim-fire-deluxe-edition/298524810
  9. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-bullet-for-my-valentines-scream-aim-fire
  10. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/25985/Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire/
  11. https://www.theprp.com/2019/07/25/news/matt-tuck-admits-bullet-for-my-valentine-tried-too-hard-on-scream-aim-fire/
  12. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/bullet-for-my-valentine/scream-aim-fire
  13. https://www.popmatters.com/bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire-2496184015.html
  14. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/bullet_for_my_valentine
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/12365772-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  16. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/bullet_for_my_valentine_we_just_wanted_to_write_a_harder_record.html
  17. https://blabbermouth.net/news/bullet-for-my-valentine-almost-lost-lead-vocalist
  18. https://bfmv.fandom.com/wiki/Scream_Aim_Fire_%28album%29
  19. https://genius.com/Bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire-lyrics/q/release-date
  20. https://www.last.fm/music/Bullet%2Bfor%2BMy%2BValentine/Scream%2BAim%2BFire/%2Bwiki
  21. https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-bullet-for-my-valentine-songs/
  22. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/bullet-for-my-valentine-1bd6d1ac.html?tour=6bd7d202
  23. https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/trivium-bullet-for-my-valentine-announce-2025-north-american-anniversary-tour
  24. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bullet-for-my-valentine/2025/the-pinnacle-nashville-tn-7b53f268.html
  25. https://www.kerrang.com/heres-bullet-for-my-valentine-and-triviums-setlists-from-the-opening-night-of-the-poisoned-ascendancy-tour
  26. https://www.kerrang.com/bullet-for-my-valentine-trivium-poisoned-ascendancy-tour-drama-matt-tuck-matt-heafy-metal
  27. https://www.nme.com/news/music/triviums-matt-heafy-explains-why-bullet-for-my-valentine-pulled-out-of-co-headline-tour-early-3862544
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/7123084-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  29. https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=429954
  30. https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BVCP-24132
  31. https://www.discogs.com/release/3125400-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  32. https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=424890
  33. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/19621-bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire.php
  34. https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-bullet-for-my-valentine-9441-334146
  35. https://drownedinsound.com/releases/12569/reviews/2876423-bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire
  36. https://metalinjection.net/reviews/cd-review-bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire
  37. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/winehouses-euro-chart-streak-continues-1313120/
  38. https://www.kerrang.com/the-rise-of-bullet-for-my-valentine-as-told-through-their-most-important-gigs
  39. https://kworb.net/spotify/album/336678893.html
  40. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/1AjfhprrVcMPDfp6bkTsLD.html
  41. https://www.discogs.com/release/2022972-Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Scream-Aim-Fire
  42. https://music.apple.com/us/album/scream-aim-fire/1440840298
  43. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Bullet+For+My+Valentine&titel=Scream+Aim+Fire&cat=a
  44. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/6951
  45. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/bullet-for-my-valentine-scream-aim-fire/
  46. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/bullet-for-my-valentine-hearts-burst-into-fire/
  47. https://www.billboard.com/artist/bullet-for-my-valentine/chart-history/mrt/
  48. https://distortedsoundmag.com/heavy-music-history-scream-aim-fire-bullet-for-my-valentine/
  49. https://www.themetalverse.net/most-popular-metalcore-bands-2024-spotify/
  50. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bullet-for-my-valentine/2025/mgm-music-hall-at-fenway-boston-ma-4b53f38e.html
  51. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bullet-for-my-valentine/2025/paramount-theatre-seattle-wa-4b53f306.html
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7UX_rQSeZE
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjA359UK-SQ
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