ALBUM REVIEW: Horizons/West – Thrice
The last few years have been particularly hectic for THRICE. Releasing 2021’s Horizons/East, closely followed by touring and re-recordings to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Artist In The Ambulance, with the intention to also write an accompanying album entitled Horizons/West proved to be too much of an ambitious undertaken. After taking some time to reflect and delay the release in order to avoid compromising on the finished product, we have now been presented with the second half of the double-album which is available now via Epitaph Records. Did this approach work in their favour?
Blackout opens with a tense, ominous tone accompanied by deep, baritone-like vocal lines. Its cinematic charm proves to be particularly alluring. As it progresses, the pace begins to increase, warming you up nicely for the heaviness of Gnash. A dark grittiness constructed from powerful riffs and quirky synths will provide longtime followers of the band with a rush of nostalgia as they revisit heavier elements established in their earlier releases. Albatross greets you with an enticing bass-driven tempo packed with emotive melodies and a ridiculously catchy chorus section. The track possesses a warm, embracing attitude that will be a perfect inclusion to any setlist.
Undertow immerses you in a variety of captivating layers as it brings forth a solemn, vulnerable demeanour which ebbs and flows throughout. Holding On mixes electronica with punk sensibilities in a punchy but poignant piece. The relatable lyrical content is sure to resonate with many a listener. Dusk offers a brief instrumental interlude to catch your breath and contemplate what has occurred so far before The Dark Glow lures you in with its haunting yet mesmeric acoustic notes. What begins as relatively minimalistic bursts into vibrant colours.
Crooked Shadows dishes up some infectious rhythms and impactful drum beats to keep the momentum flowing. Another emphatic chorus sequence makes its presence felt. Distant Suns follows suit with inviting intricacies and graceful atmospherics that feel like pure escapism. Vesper Light is equipped with soulful, passionate vocals that, when combined with the animated riff segments, send shivers down your spine. Unitive/West opts for an enchanting, ritualistic vibe that engrosses you with an assortment of aural sensations.
The decision to provide additional time to the creative process whilst crafting Horizons/West, rather than rushing to cram it into their schedule, has yielded significant benefits. This release would not be the same without the time taken to reignite their passion for their former works and could’ve so easily robbed us of one of THRICE‘s key catalogue instalments. The abundance of diversity on show is a joy to experience and confidently confirms that the Californian quartet still have a lot to offer.
Rating: 8/10
Horizons/West is out now now via Epitaph Records.
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