The Jaws of Life marks a triumphant return for California-based alternative rock band Pierce the Veil. Seven years after their last studio effort, 2016’s Misadventures, the band has managed to retain all the trademark elements of the grunge-tinged post-hardcore that cemented them as a mainstay in the alternative rock scene, while still fearlessly pushing sonic boundaries and embracing sleek production choices that modernize and propel the band forward. Few bands successfully return onto the scene with such immediacy, but with The Jaws of Life, Pierce the Veil have not wasted any time delivering a collection of songs that is simply undeniable.

From the opening notes of track one, “Death of an Executioner”, it is immediately apparent that this is identifiably Pierce the Veil. Guitarist Tony Perry’s Spanish-influenced guitar introductions catapult into hard-hitting riffs throughout the track, serving as a bold reminder of the band’s signature and familiar sound. Lead single “Pass the Nirvana” perfectly exemplifies the spirit of the album in a single tune: with dynamic vocal performances by lead singer Vic Fuentes charging over intense chugging guitars and gritty bass grooves by bassist Jaime Preciado, swinging from tame and stripped back verses into fuzzed out instrumental breakdowns. Diving further into the album, however, the band explores a diverse new palette of sounds. Droning synths layer themselves amidst hip-hop-esque electronic drum samples on “Even When I’m Not With You” and “Shared Trauma”. Acoustic-driven track “Resilience” hearkens back to the sounds of 90’s alternative radio, this track even calling back to the aforementioned “Even When I’m Not With You” in its similar melodic cadence. This attention to detail provides a rewarding listening experience for those with an ear for detail, and further enhances the cohesion of the overall presentation of the record. Each musical choice feels purposeful, as the band wisely selects where to explore new territory and where in the tracklist to place a quintessential rock track.

If “Pass the Nirvana” is the sonic encompassment of the entire album, the lyrical encompassment is, appropriately, title track “The Jaws of Life”. Finding universally relatable sentiment and delivering them with poise and elegance, the track deals with the struggle of feeling lost, attempting to find oneself, and navigating the highs and lows of life. These themes are present throughout the entirety of the record, with self-discovery being carefully examined in Fuentes’s storytelling through both lyrics and delivery. Lines such as “heaven is a place we can’t afford” taken from the track “Damn The Man, Save The Empire”, or “If I were to smile now…would it even exist?“ from album closer “12 Fractures” are sung in ways that clearly articulate the intent behind the words. Fuentes knows where to yelp in pain, scream in anger, or belt out of passion - painting a vivid picture and crafting a clear vision of the song’s subject matter, while still maintaining the relatability that so many listeners have found comfort in for over fifteen years.

The Jaws of Life sees the band firing on all cylinders, compiling a vastly diverse collection of songs sure to be looked back upon as some of the band’s finest work. With honest storytelling, heavy hitting instrumentals, and a refreshed and reinvigorated outlook, Pierce the Veil have shown that even long-time veterans of alternative music can continue to be freshly inspired.

8/10