Bring Me The Horizon Revisits Debut Album in 20th Anniversary Celebration

Rock band Bring Me The Horizon is marking two decades since the release of their first album by re-recording it. This move has sparked curiosity among fans, particularly regarding the band’s return to their early style and Oli Sykes’ ability to replicate his youthful vocal intensity. The Sheffield-based quartet, formed in 2004, began as a deathcore act known for its intense, aggressive sound. Their 2006 debut, Count Your Blessings, embodied that style, but their later work saw a shift toward metalcore, pop, and electronic rock. Despite evolving, the group played a pivotal role in bringing heavier genres into the mainstream, including headlining Reading and Leeds Festival last year.

Oli Sykes, the band’s lead vocalist, shared his thoughts with BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, calling the re-recording process “a lot of fun.” He mentioned that revisiting their roots allowed them to “remake the album how we wanted it to sound back then.” However, some fans have raised questions about the original lyrics, which have been labeled misogynistic. Others are curious if Sykes, now 39, can still deliver the fierce screams he first recorded as a teenager.

“It was hard, I don’t know how I used to do that voice. I can still do it but it took me a minute to remember the technical aspects of it,” Sykes said.

While some fans appreciate the re-recording as a nostalgic artifact, others argue for updating the lyrics. Sash Vee, a devoted follower who joined after the band’s later albums, called the announcement a “very nice surprise” but expressed mixed feelings. “It’s sort of a time capsule,” she noted, “but things evolve. Why not update the lyrics as well?” Meanwhile, Lorna Crowther, a 24-year-old fan for over 15 years, praised the early sound as a “masterpiece,” highlighting its “raw, disgustingly beautiful vocals.”

Sykes admitted that his initial recording of Count Your Blessings as a 19-year-old left him “really bummed out about how it sounded.” He attributed the album’s style to their lack of experience, stating, “We had no clue what we were doing. There was no-one there helping us with BPMs and tempos.” Now, he claims the new version will be “way easier to listen to” because it “sounds like a proper record.”

Over the years, Sykes’ voice has evolved, and he’s faced vocal challenges. In 2019, the band canceled multiple US tour dates after he ruptured a vocal cord, warned of potential permanent damage. This has raised concerns about his ability to recreate the album’s signature growls and screams. Vocal coach Jade Maris reassures fans, noting that harsh sounds can be damaging if not practiced correctly but that safer techniques exist today. “People definitely get a bit more scared than they need to,” she said. “As long as you’re practicing safely, checking in, and not feeling pain, it’s generally okay.”

Back in the early 2000s, there was less awareness about sustainable scream techniques, according to Maris. Sykes, reflecting on the re-recording process, said it took time to reconnect with his younger vocal style. The band’s trajectory from their second album, Suicide Season (2008), onward has seen them move toward a more mainstream sound, with Sempiternal and That’s The Spirit peaking at numbers three and two in the Official Albums Chart. While some fans embraced the change, others questioned whether the band’s new direction was still authentic.

With the re-recording, Bring Me The Horizon aims to balance their past and present. Sykes emphasized that altering the songs would risk losing the essence of the original. “For better or for worse, we left it as it is,” he stated. The project underscores their journey from underground deathcore to chart-topping mainstream success, while keeping their roots alive for longtime supporters.