Album Review: Pierce The Veil - The Jaws of Life
Reviewed by Dan Barnes
The decade following their formation in 2006 saw the San Diego crew, Pierce the Veil, release four full length records, tour extensively and garner a whole host of awards. They were also a band unafraid to progress and develop and while the debut, A Flair for the Dramatic, was a more Emo/ Screamo effort and Selfish Machines veered toward a Punk sound, there was always an undercurrent of Post Hardcore and even Progressive Rock to be heard.
Collide the Sky and Misadventures followed, taking the band in a more Pop-Punk direction while still maintaining those progressive elements but momentum was halted in 2017 following accusations of drummer, Mike Fuentes, being a wrong ‘un; though, it must be stressed, to date, no charges have brought against him.
The combination of this and the small matter of a global pandemic put Pierce the Veil on an enforced hiatus, but this month sees the release of their much anticipated and much delayed fifth outing, The Jaws of Life.
The first thing you encounter when pressing play is the sound of a machine switching back on and powering up; no doubt a metaphor for Pierce the Veil’s intention for this album. In the same way all previous records have been an evolution from their predecessor, so The Jaws of Life moves on from Misadventure’s Pop-Punk aesthetic to play around with a myriad of sounds and ideas.
Following the rebooting machine and bongo drums, Death of an Executioner drops some fat guitar riffs and pulsating basslines. There feels like an Eighties Californian pop vibe about the track at times yet, at another moment, you’re presented with an uncomfortable and edgy section.
Long-time fans should reast assured, though, as Pierce the Veil haven’t resurrected like Church the cat and become a snarling beast. Damn the Man, Save the Empire, Flawless Execution and Resilience are all rooted firmly in the band’s emo heritage, adding smatterings of Progressive music and occasionally getting a bit rambunctious – they are a Rock band, after all.
Emergency Contact and Even When I’m Not With You have seen the light of day as advanced singles from the record and both tick all the Pierce the Veil boxes for accessibility and craftsmanship. There’s even an infusion of the R&B to be heard on the laconic Shared Trauma.
It’s evident the downtime has allowed Vic Fuentes, Tony Perry and bassist, Jaime Preciado to flex those creative muscles, moving away from the established sound and trying the fit of a more Nineties Alternate styling. The title track is all about a clean guitar and a melancholic delivery, akin to the Pumpkins or even Mogwai, while Fractures plays out as a simple but hypnotic pulsing guitar, ending the record not with a bang, but a whimper.
Before that moment comes the off-kilter choppy riffs of So Far, So Fake’s progressive Post Hardcore with a massive low end.
Ultimately, as mentioned above, Pierce the Veil are a Rock band so the shackles come off for the initial single release from this record, Pass the Nirvana; a dirty, pummelling riff, heavy enough to slake the thirst of even the most raging tastes, raw vocals and a destructive bassline holding it all together.
Historically, Pierce the Veil have been categorised by the demographic of some of their fans, but the evidence of The Jaws of Life and, to be honest, the previous four records, there is so much more to this band than the radio-friendliness of some of their songs would suggest. Time feels ripe for a Slam Dunk 2024 booking right here.
