Pierce the Veil screaming into Hard Rock Cafe

Fierce fragility might be a way to describe San Diego's Pierce the Veil.

Their metallic emo certainly has its serrated edges: dense, dramatic guitars with a progressive flair, vocals suggestive of a bleeding larynx, choruses that explode like a beer bottle left in the freezer.

But singer-guitarist Vic Fuentes' voice often sounds like its going to crack with emotion during those moments when he's not screaming with the forcefulness of a dude trying to expel his lungs from his body via his seriously raw throat.

They don't stray too far from the metal blueprint, but they do smudge its dimensions with plenty of blood, sweat and, yes, a few tears.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@
reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.