Californian rockers Black Veil Brides are as well known for their studded leather outfits as their riffs, but 2026 has been all about taking the band back to their roots with heavier new music. To mark their 20th anniversary, the rockers returned with Vindicate, an album that flicks the proverbial 'v's at all their haters, doubt, and celebrates the resilience of the band. Frontman Andy Biersack, formerly known as Andy Six, opened up as they rocked Download festival to discuss past, present, and future Brides and leaning into their 'Marmite' status.
The New Album Is Noisier Than Past Efforts
Andy Biersack explained that the heavier sound was not a conscious decision but a natural evolution. 'I didn't make a conscious decision to scream more; it just happened gradually. Jake (Pitts - guitarist) was composing differently. And it was fun and interesting to focus more on the aggressive side, and not just on the big, catchy choruses.' He added that throughout their career, they focused on huge choruses, but this time they aimed for a more cohesive overall sound, including music and narrative themes.
Fan Loyalty and Musical Leaps
Biersack acknowledged their dedicated fanbase: 'Luckily, our audience is very dedicated and has followed us over the years. Musically, we've allowed ourselves to make some big leaps; we've tried a lot of things. And despite all these changes, our fans have remained loyal. I think it reassures us and brings us a kind of comfort: we know our fanbase is with us, whatever our choices.'
Religious Inspiration on the Album
The album features an organ, reminiscent of church music. Biersack revealed that religion inspired him greatly. 'I grew up in a Catholic environment, I went to a Catholic school, I was confirmed; it was a big part of my life when I was a child. At the beginning of Mass, you always hear the organ. For me, it's like a Pavlovian reflex: it means that something important is about to be said, hence the desire to include it at the beginning of the album.'
He recalled a childhood memory: 'I remember when I was eight years old, I was told that if I was a good Catholic, the 'bleeding and burning heart of Jesus would appear to me at night'. That was supposed to be my reward! (laughs) All this iconography, this symbolism, has always been with me. It's part of me and inspires me.'
References to the Pope and the Film Conclave
Biersack noted references to the Pope, especially in the song 'Certainty'. While writing lyrics, he watched the film Conclave and was blown away by Ralph Fiennes' character's speech about certainty in faith. 'I thought to myself, 'This is crazy, this is exactly the subject I'm writing about!' It was a strange coincidence and that pushed me even further in that direction.'
Vindicate as the Most Personal Work
Biersack stated that Vindicate is absolutely their most personal work. He observed two paths for bands in the second half of their career: becoming more personal or falling into caricature. 'That's a trap I absolutely want to avoid. Why would I want to write from the perspective of a teenager? I'm no longer that fifteen-year-old struggling with anxiety and revenge; I'm thirty-five. And I'd rather speak from my adult perspective.'
He added: 'When we started out, I was very idealistic; things were either black or white. I'm still proud of our early records, but my vision has evolved. I'm happy to be able to use abstractions as a way to convey poetry, to express something sincere. The worst thing for me is trying to mask the fact that there isn't much to say.'
The Most Personal Song: 'Cut'
Biersack identified 'Cut' as the most personal song, which he wrote with his wife, Juliet Simms. 'We've often felt let down. Particularly by people within the music industry. It's a pretty ruthless world, where you discover people you thought were longtime friends aren't actually friends at all. Singing this song with her, expressing the feelings we both experienced, was a powerful and cathartic moment.'
Guest Appearance by Robb Flynn
The song 'Revenger' features a guest appearance by Robb Flynn from Machine Head. Biersack explained: 'We'd done several versions, but something was still missing with the vocals. Robb was the first person I thought of, partly because I've loved Machine Head for many years. And because I'd chatted with him at a festival not long before. He's someone I appreciate; he's intelligent, sincere, and deeply loves metal music.'
Looking Back at 20 Years
Reflecting on the band's 20th anniversary, Biersack considered what his younger self would think. 'On the one hand, I've obviously grown and evolved a lot in 20 years. And on the other hand, I've always been a dreamer, with the same drive. In many ways, I'm still that 15-year-old me, sitting at my parents' house, dreaming of being able to talk about my band! Every morning, I wake up and think about the next step. It's an incredible experience, twenty years later, to be doing this job, to see people get excited about our music. If I could talk to my fifteen-year-old self, I think they wouldn't be surprised to see where we are now. Because it was our dream and our goal all along.'
