Bullet For My Valentine

Hailing from Bridgend, England, Bullet for My Valentine's first incarnation was quite a bit different than the thematically immense, metal-clad rock of 2005's debut, The Poison. Back in 1998, the quartet of lads from Bridgend College was churning out Metallica covers under the name Jeff Killed John. It wasn't until 2003 that the band changed its name and beefed up their sound with a solidified lineup of guitarist and singer Matthew Tuck, guitarist Michael Paget, bassist Nick Crandle and drummer Michael Thomas. After issuing an EP and their debut on the British label Trustkill, they picked up Kerrang! magazine's Best British Newcomer Award in 2005 and eventually signed a deal with Sony/BMG. The band enjoyed quick success with American audiences and a number of high-profile tour slots, including one supporting Rob Zombie, from which they were booted when Tuck called Zombie and his cohorts "money-grabbing f*cks" on the band's message board.