By David O’Neill
The Von Hertzen Brothers’ 25th anniversary editions of ‘Stars Aligned’ (originally released in 2011) and ‘Nine Lives’ (2013) are more than nostalgic callbacks. Reissued as remixed and remastered double-vinyl sets with previously unreleased tracks, they underline just how naturally this band fuses progressive heft, melodic punch and emotional lift.
That durability is obvious in the 2026 live sets, where both albums still provide key moments. Even the more left-field material holds up: ‘Bring Out the Snakes’ remains one of the strangest and most atmospheric cuts on ‘Stars Aligned’, carrying a distinctly Pink Floyd-like sense of space and slow-burn drama.
Recent performances have kept songs like ‘Flowers and Rust’ and ‘Kiss a Wish’ firmly in circulation, while the bonus live material adds extra value rather than token padding. ‘Always Been Right’ (Live at Tavastia 2011), ‘I Believe’ (Acoustic Live at Pato Klubi 2025) and ‘Gloria’ (acoustic live at Pori Theatre 2025) show just how adaptable the band’s songwriting can be, whether delivered at full volume or stripped back to its emotional core.
Put bluntly, these records still bite. ‘Stars Aligned’ is the widescreen statement: soaring hooks, muscular dynamics, stacked vocals and choruses built to hit the back wall. ‘Nine Lives’ hits from a different angle, trading some of that uplift for darker tension, tighter momentum and a stronger alt-rock edge, without sacrificing the band’s gift for scale.
That is why these anniversary editions matter. This is not music preserved in amber; it is music that still earns its place. Tracks like ‘Gloria,’ ‘Flowers and Rust,’ ‘Insomniac,’ ‘Coming Home,’ ‘Always Been Right’ and ‘World Without’ still ignite live sets, giving the older material genuine momentum rather than treating it as a respectful nod to the past.
What makes the pairing work so well is the contrast. ‘Stars Aligned’ feels expansive, luminous and built for lift-off. ‘Nine Lives’ leans into friction and drive with shorter songs on the whole. Together, they show two sides of the same band strength, which is exactly why songs from both albums still sit so comfortably beside each other on stage.
The verdict is simple: these reissues are far more than archival exercises. They capture a band already operating with serious melodic instinct, emotional weight and no shortage of power. Fifteen years on, that combination still sounds not just intact, but vital.
Fan or not, these albums deserve space in any serious rock collection. And if they do not win you over by the end, chances are you were never going to be won over in the first place.
With a third appearance at Steelhouse Festival coming in July and a short ÜK acoustic tour lined up for autumn, the timing could hardly be better. However you prefer your Von Hertzen Brothers, loud and towering or stripped back and intimate, this is the moment to become a ‘Peace Patroller‘ to pass the baton on ‘The Bro’s’.
- ‘Stars Aligned‘ and ‘Nine Lives‘ will be re-released on 10 July.
