Album Review of Pierce The Veils Long Awaited 5th album.
Words by Isabella Young
Photo Source: Pierce The Veil
Returning after a short 7 year gap between albums, Pierce the Veil has come back with their 5th studio album The Jaws of Life via Fearless Records. The 3 piece group has longevity that most musical artists strive to achieve. Even after forming over 15 years ago, the band continually finds success on TikTok and other social media platforms. Nostalgia plays a factor in their continued virality, but their talent and timeless work does a LARGE majority of the heavy lifting.
‘The Jaws of Life’ is the beginning of a renewed Pierce the Veil. The lead up to the album’s release had many fans jarred with a change in sound. But there are many themes and sounds in the album that nod to the band’s roots and where they will continue to thrive in the future.
Pierce the Veil has absolutely nailed the concept of what could be perceived as a dark, twisted love. In their earlier work, a lot of the language used around admiration and love had very consistent imagery. Mostly bloody, destructive, and eternal. Their intro song ‘Death of an Executioner’ pulls in a lot of that language, providing a listener with a sense of familiarity. “Beautiful as everything is crumbling, the flames dance off your eyes”.
The album’s self titled track ‘The Jaws of Life’ packs a major punch from the get go. Opening with a short reverb filled harmony, quickly leads into a smash as the lead guitar riff hits alongside the percussion. At times, the track is stripped down to the bare bones of lead vocal and guitar riff. The musical whiplash creates such a complex narrative to the track. This lyrical content of the song references feelings of being comfortable in the uncomfortable. “I’m having the time of my life, rotting in the sun inside the jaws of life”. An incredibly catchy portrayal of being okay with the moments of life that bring uncertainty.
‘So Far So Fake’ stood out to me on the album, as it’s an angsty sound about betrayal amongst an album that houses a lot of songs that center a more positive view on each of their themes. This album centers a positive outlook on the negative things that come with life. ‘So Far So Fake’ is an emotional release of resentment and betrayal. “Be still your heart and do not resuscitate” stands to be a line talking about an initial sweetness and ending in resentment. The musicality of this track is the heaviest on the album. The drums in this song are addictive, driving the track into a sultry bridge.
Closing out the album with Chloe Moriondo come “12 Fractures,” an incredibly dreamy track full of soft percussion and a simple guitar riff throughout. The melody that fills the pre-chorus of the track hold some of the dreamiest work that the band has ever released. Fuentes tends to lean harsh on his vocals, so having somebody like chloe moriondo featured on really lends well to the concept of this song. The false build up at the end of the track is the interesting twist that was needed to end an album like this.
It is always exciting to witness a band evolve in real time. The members have grown, as well as their fans. Pierce the Veil is resilient, they always have been and will continue to grow and evolve as long as they continue to make music.