Album by Album: the Visual and Sonic Evolution of Pierce the Veil's Sound
By James H. Sterling
A protracted seven-year hiatus brought monumental change. Personnel shifts, including the departure of longtime drummer Mike Fuentes, forced Vic Fuentes, Tony Perry, and bassist Jaime Preciado to rethink how they approached songwriting. Entering a studio in New Orleans with producer Paul Meany (Mutemath), the trio deliberately dismantled the hyper-compressed, high-tempo formula that had defined them for over a decade.
The result was 2023's The Jaws of Life, an album that caught many casual listeners off guard. As music publication The Line of Best Fit noted in their review, the record served as a balanced, refreshing take on emo by steeping it in genuine mid-90s alternative rock. The manic shredding and high-pitched screams were gone. In their place sat thick, fuzzed-out basslines, downtempo drum beats inspired by hip-hop breakbeats, and drop-tuned guitar textures lifted from the playbook of Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Weezer.
In an in-depth retrospective with When The Horn Blows, the band reflected on how creating the album felt like learning an entirely new language. Singles like "Pass the Nirvana" and "Emergency Contact" demonstrated a commitment to groove over speed. Fuentes swapped frantic falsettos for a laid-back, gritty vocal delivery, leaning into sludgy distortion pedals and open space. Rather than a retreat from their heavy roots, the pivot represented an adult reimagining of heavy rock, prioritizing room-shaking low end over chaotic treble.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
