Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. I and II Fire and Water

Vagrant Records . release date: 08/28/2007 . written by Oliver

Dustin Kensrue and his well known band Thrice have left Island records because of creative difficulties. The band started out in 2001 on Hopeless records. They got well known in the scene for playing aggressive music, combined with beautiful melancholy vocals and very hard shouting. Their classic releases like "The Illusion Of Savity" or "The Artist in the ambulance" showed a lot of anger and brutality. In 2005 the band released an untypical release, with the titel "Vheissu". The title sounds almost like the german words "Wie heisst Du", which means: What´s your name? "Wie heisst Du" is a good describtion for a record, that was not typical for the band. The record was haunting, frightening and pretty dark. I´ll guess the major label was not satisfied the way the record turned out and so the contract got not renewed. In the meantime Dustin has found a solo project on Equal Vision records and now in 2007 the band is back on Vagrant records, with their stunning release The Alchemy Index Vol. I. The very first thing I have to mention here, is that the band has released a very intersting record, pretty much in the vein of "Vheissu". So you find dark and sensitive tracks, colliding with thoughtful lyrics and experimental noises in the back. The new record once again turned out really dark and frightening. Kensrue explains, that The Alchemy Index Vol I. is subdivded in two CD´s. Every CD represents a different element: One stands for Fire the other one for Water. On Volume II Earth and Wind will fallow. Back to the CD´s on Vol. I: The Fire CD is the harder one. Dustin screams sometimes and the guitars are really agressive. On the Water CD the softer and heartfelting moments prevail. The track "Open Water" (2) sounds as if bubbles arise out of the water. "Night Diving" (4) is a really beautiful instrumental song, that becomes harder in the end and "The Whaler" is such a soft and fragile tune, which is so thoughtful and silent. Thrice has really composed a complex record, that is really not simple to describe. I can assure you, that Vol.I is really an enjoyment for your ears.

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Rank: (3 out of 5)

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