Preview Van Halen’s New Single ‘Blood and Fire’
New album ‘A Different Kind of Truth’ comes out February 7th
By Andy Greene
January 25, 2012 11:00 AM ET

Van Halen’s new album A Different Kind of Truth will be released in less than two weeks. In the meantime, here’s an exclusive 90-second preview of the LP’s second single “Blood and Fire.” The disc’s first single “Tattoo” was based off the group’s 1977 unreleased track “Down In Flames”; another track on the album, “She’s The Woman,” which the group played live at their recent secret show in New York City, was originally recorded as a demo in 1976.

So we offer a challenge to Van Halen’s hardcore fans: Does this sound like a completely new song, or do you hear anything that sounds like an old riff or melody? To be very clear, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a band using old material on a new album. Groups do it all the time and you can’t plagiarize from yourself. In fact, many of Van Halen’s most famous songs (including “Right Now”) took elements out of older material. We’re just curious to know how much of this Van Halen album was created with that process.

Hmmmmmm…..gonna take a few listens to make a final decision…….first thought is I was hoping to hear something a bit “heavier” The song may grow on me in time, I like Tattoo better at this point.

Bring on the distortion and whammy bar!!!!

The intro reminds me of the soundtrack music Ed did for “The Wild Life.” Not Donut City, but the other incidental stuff.

EDIT: Here’s what I was referring to, listen to the first minute:

EDIT 2: The song is called Ripley:

I like it, started off different, but I did like it. I am liking the new stuff way more than I thought I would.

Oh no… I don’t like this at all. Sorry to piss on the fire, but it’s all over the place, tempo is odd and doesn’t sit with the way Dave sings, and Dave’s singing sounds off key a tad. It’s a little chirpy, bouncy, tune. Dave trying to cram a load of words with a different melody and timing Negative – yes I am sorry forum members but that’s ruined my day. I really hope the rest of the album is the VH I know, love and remember. Based on Ripley isn’t it I’ll have to have a recap of the tune.

Decatone: Oh no… I don’t like this at all. Sorry to piss on the fire, but it’s all over the place, tempo is odd and doesn’t sit with the way Dave sings, and Dave’s singing sounds off key a tad. It’s a little chirpy, bouncy, tune. Dave trying to cram a load of words with a different melody and timing Negative – yes I am sorry forum members but that’s ruined my day. I really hope the rest of the album is the VH I know, love and remember. Based on Ripley isn’t it I’ll have to have a recap of the tune.

No need to be sorry about the pissing, everyone has different taste. Personally I like this a lot more than Tattoo. I also liked She’s The Woman more than Tattoo.

IMO so far not very impressed but I guess with all those years of waiting and anticipation we expected the highest quality album but so far very plain album thrown out there…I still just want to hear the vintage stuff in concert and not this stuff…

I figured many would not like this. I really think we all expect Fair Warning part 2, it’s the same argument when any of our heroes put out a new album (has anyone liked a Metallica album since Master of Puppets?). My thoughts are that I have waited since the early part of 1984 for a new VH album with Dave, so they have some liberty here, and I think it is fresh and pretty decent so far. And we all know we are getting a heavy dose of this stuff in concert, they have always done that.

I am loving this. Some of my favorite songs are In a Simple Rhyme and Secrets, and this fits in nicely with those.

I do hope there will be some harder stuff on ADKoT for variety, but this sits fine with me.

Dammit, I’m trying not to be spoiled on any more of the album, but I couldn’t resist….

I like it! I’m really looking forward to hearing Dave’s voice on the CD. I think he sounds great on this snippet – better than he has in years – and the music has a warm familiar VH feel to it. I hope that’s the last spoiler, tho!

Haha and he sings, “Look at all the people here tonight!” Gotta LOVE that!

MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY
MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY
MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY
MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY
MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY
MUST REFRAIN FROM LISTENING TO PREVIEWS AND READING REVIEWS BEFORE I HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM IN FULL QUALITY….

A different chunk of sample, plus the ability to buy the full track plus “The Trouble With Never” if you live in the UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-And-Fire/dp/B0071GGI1Q/

Hmmm, didn’t really like The Trouble With Never clip.

I’m officially not going to listen to any more samples! I mean it!

ron:
A different chunk of sample, plus the ability to buy the full track plus “The Trouble With Never” if you live in the UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-And-Fire/dp/B0071GGI1Q/

Thanks – just downloaded both full tracks. This album’s all over the place – both good and bad – I think there’s something for everyone …I didn’t like Blood n Fire first off, but the lead break totally smokes. Trouble With Never is fresh and new in direction, umm easy on the wah ed. That’s me. Done now. I’m wait for the whole thing now… See ya

The Wild Life Music !!! Not thrilled with the vocals. Wonder how much the producer influenced the vocals.