PVRIS - All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell (Livestream) (2021)REVIEW

PVRIS - All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell (Livestream) (2021)REVIEW

Emotions were elevated for this highly anticipated performance of an album played for the first time start to finish, AWKOHAWNOH was released nearly four years ago but still sits comfortably in the hearts of many people. It interested me to see how the tracks would be reimagined as Lyndsey wrote the full-length as she was feeling pain, it’s clear she’s in a much better place right now. The new band dynamic of Brian, Lyndsey and Denny has allowed them to change parts of the songs, adding some new magic to the live performances. In an instagram post before stream, Lynn described it as “musical medicine & joy” which is just what everyone needs, even if it’s through a laptop screen.

As the opening chords of ‘Heaven’ sound, the livestream begins, later followed by Lynn letting out a smile of relief as she sings ‘You took my heaven away’, hitting the high notes perfectly. Revisiting this album must’ve brought back memories of her vocal chord struggles of the time of this era back in 2017 and now they’re healthy and pristine. Confidence radiates as Lynn looks up at the camera, as if she’s addressing the audience and not a computer screen. Meanwhile smoke covers the floor as Denny coats the track with drums and Brian adds grooving beats, they’ve adapted to a three member dynamic as though it was that way initially.

The screen turning black, emulating how it feels to be at a concert and making it even more special, the band begins to play ‘Half’. PVRIS chose to not add a new member to play guitar, instead Lynn and Brian swapping, with Lynn on bass for this performance. This incredibly personal track is carried through ‘I never wanted a body’ combined with Brian flaunting the guitar on his parts. Lynn leaps onto the front of the drum kit, visibly egging Denny onto smash the rest of the track on drums. ‘Anyone Else’ proves to be just as powerful during the livestream, the drums acting like a heartbeat. Carrying this track, echoing ‘I’m the only one I’ll ever know’ to remind us that Lynn is past her demons written about in this album.

‘What’s Wrong’ treats us to roaring vocals from Lyndsey, exploring her falsetto with ‘No I never sold my soul’ during the bridge. Introducing ‘Walk Alone’ with ‘This is the first time we’ve never played this one live’, revealing the performance would be a full band - making an amazing debut. Angelic, crisp vocals integrated with soft lighting and thus creating a dream-like atmosphere. Amazingly, PVRIS have impacted their fanbase with these streams, so playing these songs translate to a special celebration, bringing them closer to fans.

Touching lyrics ‘I think we’ve loved a thousand lives’ accompanied with the flawless, fresh band dynamic give ‘Same Soul’ a captivating presence. Much like ‘Winter’ where Lyndsey comes up close to the camera and directly addresses the listeners with ‘How‘re you feeling?!’, even though it’s a livestream but still giving a personal touch.

The screen turns black once more as the intro of ‘No Mercy’ begins, with Lynn laying down ‘Alright internet, we’ve got a one way ticket to shredville, this is your captain speaking’ implying the carnage that’s about to happen. Her vocals are just as powerful, confidence is what we get from this track with the iconic bassline, making it as fiery as ever. The band just look like they’re enjoying performing this track, once being able to launch herself into the crowd but now having to perform via livestream.

Before going on to say they have two songs left, followed by ‘We really wish you guys were here’ and slowing it down for ‘Separate’. Explaining how the track was written in a haunted house in New Orleans, finished it at 6am, kept them from sleeping and became a hugely personal track. The track clearly touches a lot of people with the lyrics, ‘There’s always been a disconnect running from my heart to my head’ echoes in our hearts, for whatever reason and especially when PVRIS hold such an important place. Lynn stops to ask ‘You guys alright in there?’ because she knew we’d be sobbing.

To end the stream, they concluded with ‘Nola 1’ which they’d never played live before also. With hard hitting lyrics ‘Wouldn’t pull through to see 22’ as she’s now played this track at 26, a huge indication of growth since this album was written.

The livestream was just as special as the tour when the album came out, PVRIS had such an effect on their fans that most have been here since the beginning. Their fanbase adoring, and the band adoring back, this stream along with the ‘White Noise’ album stream has for sure brought them close to their fans. This album means so much to plenty of people, making this stream highly anticipated - they didn’t disappoint.