After releasing one demo and three full length albums, Thrice have proven themselves to be one of the more innovative and progressive bands in the conglomerate of groups that mix hardcore and emo with the occasional tinge of metal (among other elements). Thrice’s latest release Vheissu shows an unexpected turn for the band - especially in the midst of the rising trend of the so called “emo/screamo” genre.
Thrice's full length debut, "Identity Crisis", embraced a pop-punk feel blended with hardcore screaming and a dash of thrash metal influence. From emotion-filled screams and hopeful harmonies, this was something new and exciting, but also a style of music quickly catching on. 2002’s "The Illusion of Safety" showed Thrice deciding to push themselves this time around in the song writing department. Rebelling against traditional song structures by utilizing several time signatures and changing tempos, a chaotic, confusing album was created. One year later, much to the fear of die-hard fans, Thrice decided to sign with major record label Island and released The Artist in the Ambulance. This time, Thrice decided to go for a more structured feel and creating whole memorable songs rather than creating memorable parts for each song, another progression in the band's sound.
And then we have 2005’s Vheissu. Forget the same fast punk drum beats that plagued each one of their previous records. Forget the speed-metal riffs and chorus-less songs. Forget almost everything you thought made Thrice. Vheissu is Thrice’s most ambitious step from their style of music. Although keeping their contrast of heavy screaming to melodic singing, their style has changed drastically from their previous work. After taking a break from touring, Thrice took it easy for a bit and opened themselves up to listening to many different styles of music before going back to the studio. During this break time, Thrice’s manager Nick Bogardus sums up each of the band members current state before writing together: “So lets recap: Riley was writing dark, orchestral parts, Ed was writing ambient noise pieces, Teppei hadn’t picked up his guitar yet [he had been working on piano and keyboard material], and Dustin was telling me that the inspiration for their next record was coming from an album that all but book-ended another band’s career. I was simultaneously insanely excited and terrified.” Sounds like they’re in trouble? Not one bit.
Track by Track Analysis:
Image of the Invisible: The album starts off with some odd noise and then a morse-code message appears, before kicking off into the albums first song. Starting off the song is a quick-strummed octave riff and an anthemic call-and-respond shouting battle between singer Dustin Kensrue and the rest of the band. “Image of the Invisible” sends a message of the importance of human individuality with Kensrue triumphantly proclaiming “We’re more than carbon and chemicals! (We are the image of the invisible)”. This song is the most reminiscent song of their previous work and is the “radio song”. A solid effort, but one of the weaker tracks (its repetitiveness brings it down) when compared to the others. On the contrary, it is a great song for playing live.
8.5/10
Between the End and Where We Lie: Here we get the first taste of the new instrumental experimentation of Thrice, this time using a Rhoads piano. With drummer Riley Breckenridge giving a solid, semi-syncopated drum beat to lead guitarist/keys player Teppei Teranishi you can tell this is a more hopeful song than anything they’ve ever written. One of the high points of this song is the chorus. A good track but not one of my favourites.
7/10
The Earth Will Shake: From here on out the album gets good and doesn’t let down one bit. Starting off with Kensrue distantly and feebly singing along to an acoustic guitar (or possibly another instrument?), we’re isolated by this lonely sound before it literally explodes into slow heavy metal riffs reminiscent of bands like Isis and Neurosis. Full of sludgy riffs, singing and screaming, and lush organ sounds, the song breaks down into a part apparently inspired by “old chain gang field recordings” and the lyrical content seems to fit that theme well. Amazing track.
9.5/10
Atlantic: Once again this song starts off with some dreamy Rhoads piano. It is soon encountered by an electronic drumbeat with Dustin singing softly. By now, it’s almost as if we’re inside a Radiohead song. This is the ballad of the album, and is a slow, emotional song. The chorus is a powerful, reverb-ridden ride with Kensrue softly crooning “And behind your eyes the sea; oceans of light envelop me”. This song sends chills down my spine.
10/10
For Miles: Kicking this song off is some beautiful classical piano along with some soft, emotional singing. This is probably the most unique song on the album. It gradually builds and builds until it hits a climax of heavy screaming. You can tell Dustin Kensrue’s voice has matured so much and he really shows off his vocal ability here. This one is definitely a spine-chiller and it is my favourite song on the album by far. You’ll have to listen to it yourself to hear its excellence.
10/10
Hold Fast Hope: This is definitely the heaviest song on the album which bursts in with no remorse. Kensrue comes in screaming: “How can you be sleeping? Waves like weapons crash, O’er us, cry for mercy and hold fast hope”. The song has sort of a Mastodon vibe with the guitar riffs and eventually slows down into a quiet breakdown. But not for too long before we’re forced into a situation of Kensrue screaming his head off against a china cymbal, a bass drum and snare. Good heavy track.
9/10
Music Box: The title of this song doesn’t necessarily fit the lyrics of the song but it does music-wise. According to the band, when they went to Japan and they found a music box that plays the traditional Japanese folk song “Sakura”. They used this song for “Music Box” and it plays throughout the whole song. Opening is the chiming of the music box playing “Sakura”, the song then busts into a heavy riff then into some melodic singing. Here we get a glimpse of their old-style harmonizing riffs but not for too long. A good song with pretty unique guitar riffs, very enjoyable but nothing that stands out too much.
8.5/10
Like Moths To Flame: This is a very atmospheric and moody song. Starting it off is some muted piano then into a very heavy downtuned riff. This then transfers to a soft acoustic singing part and then goes back to the heavy riff as the chorus. “Like Moths to Flame” has it all; great singing, great screaming and nice melodic instrumental breakdowns.
9/10
Of Dust and Nations: Track number nine starts off with some odd ambient sounds and a bit of clean guitar picking. The song suddenly then bursts in with hopeful sounding guitar riffs and licks. This is the most upbeat song along with “Between the End and Where We Lie”. Nice work with ambience and guitar effects, solid track.
8/10
Stand and Feel Your Worth: The second last track on the album also starts off with some ambience along with some electronic drumbeats. Before kicking into a sudden shout of “Wake! Stand and feel your worth!” There’s some nice contrasting going on in here between the quiet parts which suddenly explode into the heavy riffs and screaming.
10/10
Red Sky: And so here we have Vheissu’s finale “Red Sky”. This is a pretty slow song throughout the whole thing and it is started off with some muffled piano and drums. “Red Sky” incorporates long drawn out choruses to give it almost cinematic feel and switches keys to change the mood. This is great song but the only problem I have with it is the switches from the verses to the chorus. It seems a bit forced when they put in such a short second verse, whereas they could've added more variety before going back into the chorus. This is definitely a good choice for the closer as it gives a very hopeful feel. Great singing, nice simple guitar chord work is used effectively.
10/10
Pros:
-effective use of guitar chording to create atmospheric moods in the songs
-improved singing, much better drumming and bass playing than previous albums
-daring, somewhat experimental and a good new direction for the band
-excellent use of new instruments and electronics
-each song has individuality from each other
Cons:
-may alienate old fans
-not as much lead guitar work
-good lyrics but more simplistic than previous work
-return to traditional song structures for most songs
Vheissu is by far the band’s most progressive album and is a giant leap in their work. While they still have some polishing off to do on their newfound sound, Thrice have only good things up ahead for them. Thrice will be praised but unfortunately will also be harshly criticized for their new direction. What will come of their next release no one will know, but expect even less screaming.
My plug for this review on the forums worked somewhat. :lol:
