The Van Pelt Released New Single “Image Of Health”

Today, the band have offered us another taste of the forthcoming album with new single ‘Image Of Health’, a song that beautifully encapsulates all that is special and unique about The Van Pelt’s sound. Simmering guitars, driving drums and urgent, passionate words and vocals from frontman Chris Leo show a band at the peak of their powers. 

If you are an historic fan of Chris Leo’s vox then you accept that a certain amount of excess verbiage comes with the territory. That being said, in the words of that same Chris Leo in the year 2022 “I’m a middle-aged man now. Straightforward, cutting to the point dialogue speaks much more to me than circuitous lofty rants. I knew a lot when I was young and what I didn’t know I wasn’t afraid to propose as arguments in unwinnable fights for the sake of pushing discourse into novel realms. Now that I’m halfway through a century though, there’s been this need in me to touch home base, revisit basic tenets with wiser eyes and a worldview humbled by it being smashed to pieces over and over again. So many of my modern lyrics need no Cliff’s Notes. They are so clear and direct that they only require the listener to bring their own humble vulnerability to the table as well. Addressing these lifelong elephants in the room feels more apt to me at this stage in life than dissecting astrophysics.”

Rediscover The Van Pelt’s catalogue here.

Reunion show soundchecks revealed that this band has a voice that was prematurely muted by their inability to see clearly in the thick of their rise.

More than two decades later, The Van Pelt has returned to explore what was left behind with a new collection of songs, ‘Artisans & Merchants.’ This is not a reunion album. This is vindication. For lovers of The Van Pelt, listening to ‘Artisans & Merchants’ is like hearing the voice of a dear friend you haven’t seen in years — a friend you used to share countless beers with over banter that went nowhere other than delivering a solid night. Your friend is older, they’ve changed. In some ways you’re worried for them, looks like they might be teetering on the brink of something. In other ways, it’s the same old them, a nugget of a soul too unique to ever be altered. It’s for those unfamiliar with The Van Pelt though for whom we should be truly jealous. This is a stand-alone album, incredible vital song writing in and of itself regardless of the long history this band has. The climax of the single “Image of Health” perhaps describes the beautiful desperation best: “And you never felt more alive / Than when the priest came to read you your rites!”

Upcoming Shows:

3/16 – Leeds, UK @ Wharf Chambers SOLD OUT

3/17 – Nottingham, UK @ The Old Cold Store (TICKETS)

3/18 – London, UK @ The Garage (TICKETS)

3/19 – Antwerp, BEL @ Trix (TICKETS)

4/23 – Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus