ALBUM REVIEW: The Dark Pool – Thornhill

There has been something of a threat prowling the periphery of metalcore lately. This threat comes in the form of Australian progressivists THORNHILL, hailing from a country that seems to be a breeding ground for new alternative talent. Whatever is in the water down under, it rarely tastes quite as sweet as it does in this instance, and as the quintet prepare to unleash their debut full length, they are sure to quench ravenous appetites aplenty with their fresh take on the genre.

Battling adversity by way of prolific atmospheric novelty, The Dark Pool is the album that firmly scribes THORNHILL‘s X onto the metalcore map and brings about a level of mouthwatering ingenuity not unlike that which we experienced over a decade ago when their compatriots NORTHLANE shook the world with their debut, Discoveries. The output is different, yet the manner with which they go about business is hauntingly familiar. Big, sweeping riffs rub shoulders with ambient soundscape and bruising breakdowns, containing everything a hook driven core album should, yet delving further into a creative thought process and driving the genre forwards.

We are immediately sucked in by Views From The Sun, where we see the Aussies continue the form shown in their preliminary releases. Atmospheric drumming leads into scything riffs, before clinical clean vocals add a smooth edge. It isn’t long before the track bites, and harrowed screams enter the fray. This contrast quickly became a THORNHILL trademark, and with the help of a little fine-tuning, it still serves as a head-turning focal point. Nurture makes another scorching start, blistering eardrums with guitar work that tears through the very fabric of the track – all the while contrasted against those very same idyllic cleans.

We hear more of the same in The Haze, where technical nuances perpetually impress, before Red Summer acts as a hotspot for the album. It begins with subtle synth, before careering into another typically THORNHILL masterclass. Progressive as it might be, it isn’t flamboyant, and the band haven’t fallen into the trap of pushing their luck. It remains ever tasteful and elegant, and isn’t afraid to dial down the crushing heaviness in favour of more emotive song structure. This continues through In My Skin and All The Light We Don’t See; tracks that remain a catalyst for aching hearts and a lasting impression.

Lily & The Moon makes a quicker start, yet dives out of frenetic beginnings with cathartic ease. Containing one of the album’s best breakdowns in its midsection, it flows effortlessly into Coven, which shows THORNHILL at their angry, bouncy best. Human keeps the consistency level high, before Netherplace provides a stark change of pace with a piano driven interlude. It is a gorgeous reprieve from the surrounding chaos, and carries us neatly into the album’s final track Where We Go When We Die. 

Rounding off an album rife with detail, this final track summarises the best of all we’ve heard. Clever musicianship is met with sheer passion, and the driving riffs become utterly catastrophic. THORNHILL have some way to go on their journey, but the time feels right for them to make a lasting impression. They have met the high expectations rested upon them, and it would seem that the only way is forward. Their multifaceted approach leaves them with ample directions to explore in the future, and the momentum is very much with them to succeed. Hats off to you THORNHILL, you might just be the most important new metalcore band on the planet.

Rating: 8/10

The Dark Pool is out now via UNFD. 

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