Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack recently discussed the band’s complicated relationship with the metal community and how Machine Head’s Robb Flynn became a crucial advocate for them, as reported by Kerrang.
Biersack explained how Flynn’s early support helped shift perceptions when the metal press began criticizing the band.
“Robb (Machine Head’s Robb Flynn) was one of the first people in a respected metal band to go, ‘Hey, this band’s f*cking awesome, and you guys are wrong about them,'” Biersack said. “That was really revelatory for us, because all of a sudden we started getting kind of shit on in the U.S. press, and Robb would come out and go, ‘Hey, this band’s really f*cking great. You should listen. Their guitar players are insane. You’re wrong about this.’ He was the first person with that kind of respect in the metal world to talk about us like that.”
The frontman acknowledged the band’s ongoing complex relationship with metal fans while noting recent improvements.
“For better, for worse, I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the ‘metal community’ over the years,” he continued. “But the acceptance of the metal community, particularly on this record, has been really cool.”
Biersack emphasized how the band’s success has been built through direct fan connection rather than industry support.
“It’s really been a grassroots thing,” he said. “The band has stayed afloat and grown in size and scale because of a sincere connection with the audience and people who have propped us up and allowed us these opportunities time and time again. I know every band says that, but the difference is that most bands, if you search their name on the internet, you don’t tend to find people whose entire life is about hating this band more than anything in the world.”
These comments come as Black Veil Brides prepares to release their seventh studio album. This marks another chapter in their evolving relationship with the metal community.
Kerrang reported that the band announced their upcoming album Vindicate, set for release on May 8 via Spinefarm Records. The album represents a significant shift in the band’s sound. Biersack described it as much more aggressive than their previous work.
Blabbermouth noted that Biersack characterized the new record as rooted in themes of revenge, vindication, and resilience. This thematic approach appears to reflect the band’s journey through criticism and eventual acceptance within the metal community.
The production of Vindicate marks another milestone for the band. Impericon revealed that the album was produced by Biersack himself alongside guitarist Jake Pitts. This self-production approach demonstrates the band’s creative control and artistic maturity after years in the industry.
The band’s previous album, The Phantom Tomorrow, achieved significant commercial success by reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart. Spinefarm Records confirmed this achievement. This success helped solidify their position in the metal scene despite earlier criticism from parts of the community.
