Black Veil Brides Revisit Their Legacy and Look Toward the Future on VINDICATOUR II

More than 15 years after the band’s rise to prominence, Black Veil Brides continue to deliver an unparalleled performance every time they take stage. Any rock/metal enthusiasts understand the band are no strangers to delivering a beautifully chaotic act. Having started in 2010 and achieving mainstream success only a few years later, the band has made an indelible impact in the metal core scene and continues to do so. Showcasing their 2026 album VINDICATE, I was lucky enough to witness this immersive experience on their Des Moines stop. The band is currently touring their second leg of Vindicatour- and clearly having massive success while doing it despite noticeable, refined changes to both the actual music and performances. Original frontman Andy Biersack is currently joined by 4 other members; guitarist Jake Pitts, bassist Lonny Eagleton, drummer Christian Coma (“CC”), and guitarist Jeremy Ferguson (well known as “Jinxx”).

     Black Veil Brides are often praised for their haunting theatrics that have defined their identity. Though the band now has arguably a more natural and refined style, the members stood confident in their current project while also pulling in nostalgic pieces of their shows. Walking out to a few seconds of the iconic Toccata and Fugue organ composition (often associated with old horror films and popularly, Dracula), the band took places on stage before delving into their 2010 hit “Knives and Pens.” All 5 members stepped into the light dressed in black, creating an ominous yet almost ethereal scene. The members were surrounded by black stage props that looked as if they were stolen from the set of a horror movie. The heavy, chugging guitar riffs immediately satisfied every long-term fan’s want for nostalgia. 

     It is important to note how unwavering and dedicated the band’s fan base is. Every audience member appeared equally as haunting as the band members; most displaying dark, edgy makeup looks and complex outfits that match the scene’s signature aesthetic. Throughout every song (old and new), fans had their hands up and repeatedly screamed back the lyrics. No matter where you looked inside of Val Air, the audience embodied BVB’s emo aesthetic perfectly and with utmost confidence. Though modernly the band has more of a natural look to them, fans encapsulated all eras of their success through their personal style. After the second song of the night, “Bleeders,” Andy had already called a lucky fan to join him on stage. This dynamic between the fans and the frontman has also been a historical aspect of a BVB performance. Andy continued to sarcastically joke with fans between songs and the wit was handed right back to him as the fans marched his satiric banter. This special dynamic between the listeners and the band is not something that can casually be replicated by other fan bases and makes the atmosphere seem so intimate. 

    This night was especially iconic as Des Moines serves as Jinxx’s hometown. As Andy reminded the crowd of this in between songs, fans erupted in cheers and gave the guitarist extra attention throughout the set. The band continued to play their well known hits as well as newer songs like “Certainty,” “Vindicate,” and “Hallelujah.” There was simply never a dull moment. Christian Coma continued to vigorously drum while his band mates played off of each other. The guitarists often played standing back-to-back in a duet while the audience cheered them on eagerly. Andy marched back and forth making sure he gave every audience member equal attention. 

     For longtime fans, it was a reminder of why the band became such an important part of the scene in the first place. For newer fans, it was an introduction to an experienced band that has mastered the art of putting on a show. The Vindicatour ultimately felt like what a Black Veil Brides show should be: loud, emotional, and larger than life. They will continue their tour until the end of September. If there is any show I could recommend to those who want to witness an impressive performance, I strongly suggest attending a VINDICATOUR date. 

Photos and review by Elena James