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Something More Than Human: Fuel Swings a Big, Heavy ‘Pendulum’ on Their Seventh Album (Exclusive)

Fuel is back with their seventh full-length studio record, “Pendulum”, featuring the album debut of new singer Aaron Scott.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

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Almost three decades since their debut record scorched the rock industry, Fuel is back with a brand new album, Pendulum, that takes big, heavy swings and lands every single punch it throws.

From start to finish, there’s not even one weak link in the armor, starting with the very first track, “Want It”, and running through nine more brilliantly crafted tunes. Including a new rendition of the band’s classic song “Innocent, and the best cover of The Eagles’ “Hotel California” you’re ever going to hear.

Speaking to the band ahead of the release of Pendulum—which is out today, Oct. 30, 2026—I had a chance to learn a lot more about the project and what went into forging it. What I learned is that it’s certainly a group effort, with co-founding guitarist Carl Bell at the helm. But not in an authoritative way. He isn’t a ship’s captain or a boss of some kind. He’s more like a lead architect working with a team to make their blueprint a reality.

Below, you’ll find my conversation with Bell, drummer Kevin Miller, and the band’s newest member, vocalist Aaron Scott. [Fuel’s lineup is rounded out by rhythm guitarist Mark Klotz and bassist Tommy Nat.] The three offered a lot of insight into where the band is now, and what went into making Pendulum.

NOISEY – Carl, I want to start by asking you: Going into this record, was it your intention to make a really heavy album?

Carl Bell – Well, we’ve always been heavy. It’s not different from what we do. I mean, if you listen to a song called “Won’t Back Down” that we did for the Daredevil (2003) soundtrack, we’ve always had the heavy side. So it’s not that much different for us.”

Going into this record, I think the first song we did was a song called “Want It,” and Aaron brought that song. He’s like, “I’ve got an idea.” And I’m like, “All right, let’s hear it.” I had no idea, dude, what it was going to be.

“He does Pro Tools. He’s the first guy I’ve ever been in a band with that actually can run Pro Tools. So he’s got drums, bass, guitars, way up on its legs. I think that kind of set the tone........

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