Undeniably one of the hottest bands in post-hardcore, Pierce the Veil is synonymous with the genre, becoming a household name last decade. This was jump-started with the release of Selfish Machines in 2010, an energetic, enjoyable sophomore release from the artists. This album would lift the band to headlining status and put their name in many mouths to kick off the 2010s, with the band’s wild riffs and angsty choruses combined with Vic Fuentes’ distinct vocals being a great addition to any iPod.

Bursting out of the gates with a fast-paced drum roll and an infectious guitar riff, “Besitos” draws the listener in for the ride. “Southern Constellations” transitions perfectly into the chaotic “The Boy Who Could Fly”, and the leading single “Caraphernelia” directly follows. This track features Jeremy McKinnon from A Day to Remember, one of the best-regarded vocalists in the genre at the time; he also appears in the music video, and Vic returns the favor in ADTR’s “All I Want” in 2013.

Other standout tracks in Selfish Machines include “Bulletproof Love”, with Vic lamenting, “My love for you was bulletproof, but you’re the one that shot me“, and the somber “I Don’t Care If You’re Contagious”. While Vic’s frontman status is iconic, I cannot downplay how incredible the instruments backing him are. His brother, Mike, on drums, has too many incredible fills to note, and Tony Perry’s riffs are stellar. If anything, I wish there was more emphasis on instrumental sections in this record, as they are on par with Vic’s vocal work.

Selfish Machines launched Pierce the Veil to legendary status in post-hardcore, but their level of heaviness seems to be a point of contention to some metal fans. The amount of angst and the delivery of Vic’s vocals juxtaposes how complex the instruments are, so when they are discussed in the same breath of the genre of metal, one may be remiss to call the band “heavy”. Personally, I find the debate to be pointless, as Pierce the Veil is fun to listen to, if they’re heavy or not, shouldn’t that be all that matters at the end of the day?

Currently, the band does not have much going on. After the even further success of 2013’s Collide With the Sky and 2016’s Misadventures, the band is past due for another solid album. The members don’t appear to have other significant engagements that would prevent them from hopping into the studio again. Could this be the year the band gets back into the swing of things and leaves another colossal footprint in the genre of post-hardcore? Let us know what you think!

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