Pierce the Veil’s latest album, The Jaws of Life, arriving after a seven-year recording hiatus, is already fueling a creative surge for the band, informed by both tragedy and viral success. The album, born from a period of personal loss and creative recalibration, is not only resonating with longtime fans but also attracting a new audience through TikTok, positioning the band for a quicker return to the studio.
the album’s creation was deeply impacted by the passing of vocalist vic Fuentes‘s sister. Fuentes channeled grief and a desire for renewed creative energy into the project, ultimately choosing New Orleans as the recording location for its unique atmosphere. “We wanted to make something that felt really special and different,” Fuentes explained, a sentiment reflected in the album’s blend of aggressive energy and introspective lyrics.
The first song recorded, “Pass the Nirvana,” was conceived as an aggressive opener, built around a “growling guitar riff” and a nod to grunge influences. fuentes even directly references producer Paul Meany in the lyrics: “power until the target bleeds / This gun (this gun) will never turn on me / So, Paul Meany, will you drop that beat?” He now considers it one of his favorite songs to perform live, describing the writing process as “weird” and “hard to figure out.”
In contrast to the song’s intensity,”So Far So Fake” has become a viral sensation on TikTok,with users creating videos featuring “slinky butt moves.” Fuentes jokes about hoping for “the sexiest trend in music,” but acknowledges the song’s role in expanding the band’s fanbase.
The band experienced a similar boost with the song “King for a Day” during a period of inactivity,a phenomenon Fuentes attributes to fan engagement. “You just gotta sit back and be thankful for the fans doing it and just ride it and see what happens,” he said.
Looking ahead, Pierce the Veil intends to maintain momentum and avoid another lengthy gap between albums. Guitarist Tony Preciado emphasized the desire to “not take seven years” for the next release, a sentiment echoed by Fuentes, who highlighted the positive “flow-state” within the band and their entire creative team.”We want to keep the ball rolling and keep the creativity flowing,” Fuentes stated. They are already discussing a new recording location to inspire their next project.