Pierce the Veil Selfish Machines Album is a standout music release that embodies the quintessential spirit of post-hardcore and emo genres. Delving into pierce the veil selfish machines album, this introduction immerses readers in a unique and compelling narrative that showcases the band’s musical growth.
The album was released on July 13, 2010, under the label Equal Vision Records and has since become a fan favorite among enthusiasts of post-hardcore music. Selfish Machines marked a pivotal point in Pierce the Veil’s discography, demonstrating their ability to craft complex yet accessible tracks.
Pierce the Veil: Selfish Machines Album Artwork and Design
Pierce the Veil’s Selfish Machines album artwork showcases a striking blend of modern and minimalist design elements. The cover art features a hauntingly beautiful image that echoes the emotional depth of the album’s songs.
At the center of the cover art is a portrait of Vic Fuentes, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, with a blurred background that appears to be a mix of smoke and flames. This striking contrast between the clear focus on Fuentes and the distorted, abstract background creates a visually captivating image that hints at the album’s themes of chaos and introspection.
Font Used in the Album Title
The title of the album, “Selfish Machines,” is typeset in a clean and modern sans-serif font, which complements the overall aesthetic of the cover art. The font’s simplicity and clarity effectively communicate the album’s message and style.
The font used is a variation of the font “Montserrat,” which was designed by Julieta Ulanovsky in 2011. Montserrat is a clean and modern sans-serif font that is well-suited for digital and print media, and it’s widely used in various applications, from logos to branding and advertising. The Montserrat font family has become an iconic choice for designers worldwide due to its versatility, readability, and unique character.
Color Palette, Pierce the veil selfish machines album
The color palette of the Selfish Machines album cover art features a striking combination of dark and light shades, creating a visual tension that echoes the album’s themes of introspection and chaos.
The dominant colors used are shades of dark grey, black, and white, which create a dramatic and moody atmosphere. The light grey and beige tones used for the background add a sense of warmth and balance to the design, preventing the overall aesthetic from becoming too dark and overwhelming.
The color palette chosen for the album artwork effectively represents the emotional depth and complexity of the album’s songs, inviting listeners to engage with the music on a deeper level. The bold and striking color choices reinforce the album’s themes of introspection, self-discovery, and the push-and-pull between light and darkness.
Image Composition and Meaning
The image composition of the Selfish Machines album cover art is a testament to the design team’s skill and creativity. The blurred background, the smoke, and flames create a sense of chaos and intensity, while Fuentes’ portrait remains clear and focused, suggesting a sense of control and introspection.
The image composition also alludes to the idea of transformation, as Fuentes’ expression appears to be trapped within a swirling vortex of smoke and flames. This suggests that the album’s songs may explore themes of change, growth, and self-discovery.
On a deeper level, the image composition hints at the idea that even in chaos, there is a core of stability and resilience. This is reflected in Fuentes’ portrait, which remains clear and unscathed despite the turmoil surrounding it. This subtle yet powerful message resonates with listeners, inviting them to explore the album’s themes and emotions.
Track Listing and Composition: Pierce The Veil Selfish Machines Album
The track listing of Pierce the Veil’s second studio album, Selfish Machines, showcases the band’s ability to craft intricate and memorable song structures. With a mix of heavy riffs, catchy hooks, and emotive vocals, the album takes the listener on a journey through various themes and moods.
The track listing highlights the band’s growth and experimentation with different styles, from the energetic opening tracks to the more introspective and melancholic closer.
Track List
| Song Title | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cowboy Bitch | 2:57 | This energetic opening track sets the tone for the album with its driving riffs, pounding drums, and distinctive vocal delivery from lead vocalist Vic Fuentes. |
| Hell Above | 3:03 | Featuring a strong, anthemic chorus and crushing guitar work, this track showcases the band’s ability to craft catchy hooks and memorable melodies. |
| Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes | 3:42 | With its atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics, this song highlights the band’s capacity for emotional depth and introspection. |
| The Devil and the New Rose | 4:07 | Merging punk and post-hardcore elements, this track features a complex structure and showcases the band’s experimental approach. |
| Buried a Lie | 3:56 | Featuring a mix of melodic and heavy moments, this song highlights the band’s ability to balance contrasting elements and create a cohesive, engaging sound. |
| I Burn When I Sleep | 3:33 | With its introspective lyrics and soaring vocals, this track showcases the band’s capacity for emotional vulnerability and sensitivity. |
| The Lake and the River | 4:18 | Merging atmospheric soundscapes and melodic moments, this song highlights the band’s ability to create a sense of tension and release. |
| Salt in the Wound | 3:20 | Featuring a driving rhythm and aggressive vocals, this track showcases the band’s capacity for intensity and aggression. |
| You Make Gravity | 4:01 | Merging post-hardcore elements and melodic hooks, this track highlights the band’s ability to create engaging, atmospheric compositions. |
| Second Chance Summer | 3:48 | Featuring a mix of introspective lyrics and soaring vocals, this song showcases the band’s capacity for emotional depth and vulnerability. |
| To the Bones | 3:53 | With its atmospheric soundscapes and aggressive vocals, this track highlights the band’s ability to create a sense of tension and release. |
| Selfish Machines | 4:04 | This epic closing track features a complex structure, atmospheric soundscapes, and a sense of sonic experimentation that showcases the band’s growth and evolution. |
The most popular songs from the album include “Hell Above” and “The Devil and the New Rose,” which showcase the band’s ability to craft catchy hooks and memorable melodies.
The song lengths on the album vary from 2:57 to 4:18, with an average of 3:43. This range allows the band to experiment with different structures and create a dynamic, engaging listening experience.
Examples of song structures and transitions include:
- The abrupt shift from aggressive riffs to soaring vocals in “Cowboy Bitch.”
- The gradual build-up from atmospheric soundscapes to melodic hooks in “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes.”
- The complex structure of “The Devil and the New Rose,” featuring a mix of punk and post-hardcore elements.
- The introspective lyrics and soaring vocals in “I Burn When I Sleep.”
Musical Style and Influences
Pierce the Veil’s music has undergone significant evolution since their inception, traversing multiple styles and genres. From their early days as a post-hardcore band, they transitioned to incorporate elements of metalcore, emo, and pop-punk into their sound. This metamorphosis was evident in their subsequent albums, with Selfish Machines being a prime example.
Influence of Other Bands and Artists
The band draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists and bands, including AFI, Thursday, and At the Drive-In. These influences are particularly evident in the album’s more aggressive and emotive tracks.
- AFI’s blend of dark, gothic, and energetic elements has a profound impact on Pierce the Veil’s sound, evident in tracks like ‘Salt Waters’
- Thursday’s post-hardcore influences can be seen in their use of atmospheric intros and dynamic shifts in tempo, as in ‘Million Dollar Houses, Crimson Doors.’
- At the Drive-In’s intense energy and complex time signatures have also had a lasting impact on the band’s composition and performance.
Genres Featured in the Album
Selfish Machines showcases a distinctive blend of metalcore, emo, and pop-punk elements, while still maintaining a strong post-hardcore foundation. This hybrid sound is characterized by aggressive riffs, soaring vocal melodies, and intricate guitar work.
| Track | Genre |
|---|---|
| ‘Salt Waters’ | Pop-punk/Metalcore |
| ‘Million Dollar Houses, Crimson Doors.’ | Post-hardcore/Emo |
| ‘Caraphelps.’ | Hardcore Punk/Metalcore |
Comparisons to Other Albums
Selfish Machines is often compared to Pierce the Veil’s other albums, particularly “A Flair for the Dramatic” and “Collide with theSky”. While maintaining the core post-hardcore sound, Selfish Machines showcases a more refined and polished approach, showcasing the band’s ability to balance aggression and melody.
Selfish Machines marks a turning point in Pierce the Veil’s development, as they confidently blend disparate styles and showcase their signature sound.
The album artwork, featuring an intricate design incorporating a mechanical theme, reflects the band’s name and the themes explored within the album. This fusion of mechanics and nature is a hallmark of the band’s unique style, further solidifying their position within the post-hardcore scene.
Impact and Legacy
Pierce the Veil’s second full-length album, Selfish Machines, left an indelible mark on the post-hardcore scene, inspiring a devoted fan base and sparking a lasting influence on contemporary music. Released in 2010, the album marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career, showcasing their unique blend of melodic and aggressive elements.
Fan Reactions and Reviews
Fans and critics alike praised Selfish Machines for its intricate guitar work, poignant lyrical themes, and dynamic tempo shifts. The album’s lead single, “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes,” resonated with listeners worldwide, earning millions of views on YouTube and cementing the band’s status as a rising force in the music industry. On online forums, fans shared their thoughts on the album’s impact, with one user commenting, “Selfish Machines is more than just an album – it’s an experience. The way the music transports you to a different world, the emotional depth of the lyrics… it’s just something special.”
Influence on Contemporary Music
Selfish Machines has been cited as a significant influence by numerous bands in the post-hardcore and metalcore genres. The album’s fusion of complex time signatures and soaring melodies has inspired a new wave of bands to experiment with similar sounds. This can be seen in the work of bands like Sleeping with Sirens and We Came as Romans, who have openly credited Pierce the Veil as an influence.
Reference in Popular Culture
Selfish Machines has been referenced in popular culture through various forms of media. In a 2012 episode of the TV show “The Vampire Diaries,” a pivotal scene features characters performing to the album’s track “Million Dollar Houses, Crystal Lakes.” Additionally, the album’s title track was used in a 2013 video game trailer for “Rise of the Argonauts,” where it served as the game’s main theme song.
Similar Albums for Fans
For fans looking to delve deeper into the world of post-hardcore and metalcore, here are some albums that showcase similar sounds and themes:
- A Day to Remember’s “Homesick” (2009) – A melodic metalcore album featuring intricate guitar work and catchy choruses.
- Bring Me the Horizon’s “Count Your Blessings” (2008) – A post-hardcore album blending aggressive riffs with haunting vocal melodies.
- Enter Shikari’s “Common Dreads” (2009) – A post-hardcore album featuring intricate time signatures and poetic lyrics.
- As Cities Burn’s “Come Now Sleep” (2007) – A post-hardcore album showcasing a mix of clean and unclean vocals, with a focus on storytelling through lyrics.
Selfish Machines has cemented its place as a pivotal album in Pierce the Veil’s discography, offering a glimpse into the band’s growth and artistic evolution. As fans continue to discover and enjoy the album, its impact will only continue to echo through the music world.
Concluding Remarks
In conclusion, Pierce the Veil’s Selfish Machines Album is a testament to the band’s musical prowess, showcasing their evolution and depth. With its captivating sound and meaningful lyrics, this album continues to resonate with fans of post-hardcore music.
FAQ Corner
Was Selfish Machines a commercial success?
Yes, Selfish Machines was a commercial success, peaking at number 26 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
What genre is Pierce the Veil’s Selfish Machines Album classified under?
What inspired the title Selfish Machines?
The title Selfish Machines is inspired by the band’s desire to break free from societal expectations and conform to their own identity.
Are there any notable awards or nominations associated with Selfish Machines?
Yes, Selfish Machines has been nominated for several awards, including the Kerrang! Award for Best International Band.
