VIAL Unleashes Ferocity on New Album

Minneapolis-based band VIAL first connected through a Tinder post in 2019, drawn together by a mutual passion for 1990s punk, indie, and grunge. Their debut release, Grow Up, quickly made waves in the local music scene, earning acclaim from outlets such as The Current and Music In Minnesota.

Following this early success, VIAL signed with Los Angeles’ Get Better Records in 2021. Their sophomore album, LOUDMOUTH, expanded on their indie-pop and alternative rock roots while hinting at darker, more confrontational tendencies, particularly on tracks like “Ego Death” and the fan-favourite “Piss Punk.” The album balanced reflection on the past with a growing ire towards the future.

Their third release, burnout, maintained whimsical elements but increasingly embraced intensity. Themes of betrayal and adolescent drama were underscored by a hardened edge, reflecting the fractured nature of contemporary society.

With their fourth record, HELLHOUND, VIAL have shed restraint entirely. While the title track offers a brief glimmer of levity, the album is otherwise an unrelenting barrage of aggression—betrayal, revenge, frustration, and vitriol course through every song. Produced by Martin Cooke, known for his work with Death Cab for Cutie, Of Monsters and Men, and Destroy Boys, HELLHOUND fuses vintage punk, classic metal, and modern alternative influences. Standout singles such as “CREEP SMOOTHIE” confront disrespectful behaviour directly, while “IDLE HANDS” channels anger inward, creating a record both cathartic and confrontational.

Beyond their music, VIAL are committed activists. Their work spans gender equality, abortion rights, indigenous arts, and refugee support, with the band donating proceeds directly to these causes. Unlike many artists who pay lip service, VIAL consistently combines advocacy with tangible action.

The band is set to embark on a North American tour this spring, bringing the intensity of HELLHOUND to stages across the continent.

Upcoming North American Tour Dates

VIAL’s HELLHOUND promises a sonic experience both raw and uncompromising, cementing the band’s reputation as one of the most fearless voices in modern punk and alternative music.