Best of 2016 Playlist

October 20, 2015

Best of the Artist - Pierce the Veil


With their highly anticipated 4th album just around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to countdown Pierce the Veil’s best songs. Keep in mind, everyone has their own opinion. If you think we missed a song, please comment below. If we make anyone butthurt, we’re sorry. To see some other Top 10s, go to out Top 10/Quick Picks page. 


10. Tangled in the Great Escape (feat. Jason Butler) 
One of the best collaborations the band has put forth, the boys in Pierce the Veil teamed up with letlive. frontman Jason Butler for this experimental track. It takes the band down some new roads, and it's a refreshing number from a band that otherwise tends to stick to their fast paced blend of genres. The one draw back is the song's length, nearly 6 minutes. So the listener may lose interest after the first 2 minutes. But if you have the attention span to listen to the entire song, you'll be met with a ballad like collab, that still holds onto the band's post hardcore speed and energies. 

9. The Divine Zero 
The first single post-Collide with the Sky, it proves that the success the band found wasn't a fluke. They came back with this power anthem, now used as the opening song in their sets. A song that opens with an quick drum beat, and Vic's vocals. While there are some issues with the mixing, everything else is 100% PTV gold. Not as heavy as some of the band's previous numbers, it still packs a punch. We are still eagerly awaiting their 4th album, and more to the point a release date for said album. 

8. Bulletproof Love
One of the band's breakthrough hits from their sophomore album "Selfish Machines", it takes the band down a more pop oriented route. A melodic love song that acts as a nice break in their album, and the band's most accessible song in their arsenal. The pop feels are mixed with PTV's usual signature, and makes this an unforgettable song. The lead guitar work from Tony Perry is as strong as always, but the chorus is a particular standout for him. The song remains a constant in PTV's setlist. 

7. Besitos 
The opening track to the band's 2nd album, and possibly the band's best set opener. If you had any doubts about the band's heritage or influences, well this track will alleviate them all. This is one of the more "punk" songs the band has to offer, along with "The Boy Who Would Fly". The difference between the two being that "Besitos" is more Mexicore than the other. The guitar intro is sublime on so many levels. The guest vocals from Vanessa Harris are an added treat. 

6. Hold on Till May (feat. Lindsey Stamey) 
A fan favorite that is normally performed acoustic during live sets. The only thing better than the original version, is the acoustic cover Vic did with Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive. Here's a (link) to that performance. A heartwarming number, set to a slower pace than most of PTV's songs. It highlights Vic's vocal skills, and the band's ability to shift to a more stripped down style. 

5. Caraphernalia (feat. Jeremy McKinnon) 
A straight up hardcore fan favorite, with vocals from ADTR's very own Jeremy McKinnon. Shit doesn't get much better than this. The song is a tad slower than some of the others from PTV's sophomore album, but that doesn't make it any less powerful. The chorus blasts the listener with McKinnon's unclean vocals before Vic takes the helm. It's a top notch collab, that remains a setlist staple. 

4. Hell Above
Often a set opener, it the real opening track for the band's breakthrough album "Collide with the Sky". The raging lead guitar from Perry, and the fast pace set by Mike keep this song at a constant 8 on the volume and energy scale. Vic's lyrics are superb as always, and Jaime's bass is given a chance to shine during the second verse. All in all this is one of the more noteworthy tracks from the band, and one of the songs with less production. Which is nice considering how much was on their previous album. 

3. The Boy Who Could Fly
A true Mexican punk song that is akin to "Hell Above". Both follow mainly instrumental pieces, and then pick the pace of the album back up. It's chorus draws back to give the listener a chance to catch their breath, but the verses are anything but slow. They charge through, with a drum beat that never settles. Of all the songs from the band's 2nd album, Mike's drumming is strongest here. We need not mention Perry's guitar work, as like always, he kills it. 

2. King for a Day (feat. Kellin Quinn)
Everyone knows this song. The collaboration between our favorite Latin boys, and the object of fangirl love, this song has become the band's signature song. A staple at concerts, whether they're performing it with or without Kellin. PTV always knocks this one out of the park. The lead single from their 3rd album was certified Gold in the U.S in 2014, and rightly so. This is one of the knockout tracks in the band's catalogue. One of their heavier numbers, with harmonies to die for from two of the strongest voices in post hardcore, "King for a Day" is the best of the best for a reason. 

1. Bulls in the Bronx
"King for a Day" was the radio hit that PTV hadn't yet had, but "Bulls in the Bronx" is the fun, flavored number that reminds us why they are so unique. It retains the same bouncy feel with the main guitar riff, and has a Latin bridge/breakdown that only PTV could pull off. Like "Besitos" it plays off those Latin vibes perfectly. They don't overpower the song, they just add a little something extra to make it that much more appealing. The band went heavier for this album, and it's most evident in this number. Making full use of unclean vocals, and some China cymbal smashes, the band still finds a way to infuse their style into this head banging song. It earns the right to be called "mexicore".