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 Review by: Anchors See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on October 18th 2005
Does anyone here really know what it is to have the massive expectations for an upcoming album? Thrice sure does. The scrutiny thrust on them to write another solid album after three already great ones is a lot to bear. They are an extremely talented foursome, however, and according to singer Dustin Kensrue, Vheissu is by far their most ambitious effort to date.
We dream the ways to break these, iron bars.Fitting words for a fitting progression. The beginning of the song has a real old blues feel to it in the vocals and production sound, like it was recorded a cappella by Dustin singing in a bar. That sound also comes back halfway though the song, before Dustin’s familiar scream explodes in a giant roar with the thunderous guitars of Teppei Teranishi and Dustin himself coming into play, making the song a very aptly named one. There’s also some eerie organ inclusion to further add to the atmosphere the band is working so hard to create. Organ isn’t so outlandish, or out there for Thrice, though, so how about a real mellow song with some choice use of the vibraphone? “Atlantic” has a very low, haunting feel that's only heightened by Kensrue’s vocals and the vibraphone. “For Miles” is another very low-key, mellow track that doesn’t let loose until the very end, where both guitarists have ample opportunity to shred. That’s something immediately noticeable on this album, is that the speed of previous Thrice efforts has been forgone for power and melody. The guitars are as loud as ever, but the pace is such that doesn’t ever give time for pointless solos that may have previously existed. After the piano intro, “Like Moths to a Flame” does some heavy channeling of Isis, and they channel them well. There’s a lot more singing than you’d ever find Isis having anything to do with, but if it works, don’t knock it. It’s by that time most will have decided whether they like the new direction or not. And inevitably, some won’t. Those who continue to listen will continue to be rewarded. The powerful “Stand and Feel Your Worth” is one of the best songs Thrice has ever written, and it shows how rewarding patience can be. In sounds that mirror Jason Gleason, formerly of Further Seems Forever, Kensrue effortlessly glides through the song as it builds into a crescendo, culminating with the guttural screams fans of Thrice are used to. Is that a new song formula? Definitely not. Is it done with expert precision? Absolutely. As has been mentioned, Thrice is no longer about speed, or even power, but the atmosphere each song gives off. There are people that will be put off by this because the whole album doesn’t sound like “The Image of the Invisible,” and that’s fine; those aren’t the people the band wants to listen, anyhow. I’m not going to sit here and talk about this being groundbreaking; it’s not, but the road Thrice has turned down is one surely lined with gold. They’ve pushed themselves that extra mile down the path to create something special, something people will remember, and this record perfectly illustrates that. I don’t know if I’ll be listening to Vhiessu in two months, but while it’s in my CD drive, it’s making quite an impression. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
This album is absolute gold and it owns every other record they've done except TIOS. Anyone who disagrees can fuck themselves, and I hear Pennywise has a new one out. This is a great album from a great band, just music changes when bands grow and you can see this in every band. Be glad thrice didnt turn in an awful commercial monster like greenday and metallica I must admit, as much as I love Thrice...They have dropped quite a bit in intensity...I could almost hear the toilet flush. i dont know what happened here, every other album was great and then came this.Hope these guys arent turning soft on me!By far worst thrice album ever hope next one is like the old stuff i can't tell if the band is progressing or just cashing in on the new wave trend that is sweeping over everything these days. Thrice still rocks and what they have produced in the past is set in stone and proves they will rock, forever. I'm glad every song doesn't sound like Image of the Invisible. I appreciate every song on this album. The album is unlike anything I've heard in a while. It's different and damn well enjoyable. I love the emotion, the creativity, and the atmosphere it puts on the listener. It almost seems like it came from a different world when I listen to this album. a great album not as gd as their earlier productions but certainly well worth a listen music box iss a beautiful song it almost moves me to tears Ive been a Thrice fan since '99, yes they changed there sounds...but i think every cd thrice had ever put out has changed from punk/ to thrashy metal/ to harder stuff/ to something grown up such as Vheissu...u cant expect a band like thrice to stick with the same shit over and over...it be cheating the fans, and at the same time not progressing as a band......If u want a band that sounds the same...listen to Hawthorne Heights..... thrice itsn't for you...... I don't speak English yet (I'm a little Belgian Girl, 13) so maybe you don't understand what I'm writing, but so what... I tr! :) For all of you that didn't like the Cd: okay, the other three were better, but this one is also quite good! It's much better than this Belgian shit, so Thrice, go on! I LOVE the lyrics! Just don't become a commercial band like Greenday or .... Overall solid cd, very well written, but just not the old Thrice. Not my genre of music that's for sure. God damnit Thrice your the best band ever and you go and fuck it all up with Vheissu. Go back to how you used to play with Identity Crisis and stuff. You had the three best cds ever and you fuck it all up with Vheissu. Fuck you and go back to how you were you fucking retards top 2 albums of 2005 CD Cover No wonder the review writer's name isn't mentioned...terrible writing. that works too...either way...all i know is people know what your talking about when you say their...it really doesn't matter and no one really gives to squirts of piss how you spell it. Theres someone with to much time on their hands. THEIRS someone with to much time on THEIR hands... goddamnit you fucking uneducated punk american hicks. the people who dont like this album are the kids that only heard deadbolt and phoenix ignition and thought thrice were "ill" Im highly disappointed. While this album does server some wonder melodic attributes, it lacks the energy their previous albums. While some people want a band to not release the same stuff album, I think this was too much of a dramatic change, way too fast. It went from hardcore to....well...not so hardcore. I do, however, like the first song, but the rest is just energy lacking junk to me, and the only reason I listen to music is to make me pumped. This stuff seems to be in a bad/sad mood and really brings me down. I think Ill go back to listening to their previous albums. this is fucking harsh...its not about the label..or genre......or religion...its about the music..i think it displays amazing talent and definitly worth the 15$ to buy....i started listening to thrice when TAITA camoe out, but i later listened to there older records too.. i found they all are different and have there own quialities... with Vheissu, i found it is more about progresssion than there other albums...i think they are not out to sell out, but to prove what they can do musically. I think thrice is one of those bands you can stick by and never be dissapointed first thrice album i've gotten, so i wasn't expecting anything, hardcore or otherwise. very impressed. if i wanted a heavy album i'd definitely go pwd or prom queen, but for an album that's musically deep even at the sake of volume, vheissu is one of the best i've heard. Holy shit this album is fucking terrible! Not in a non-talented kind of way, it's just incredibly boring and lifeless. Thrice can do so much better than this. This album took a while to grow on me. I was expecting the same old Thrice, which don't get me wrong is not a bad thing. At first I was dissapointed thinking it lacked all pace and aggression. When i first heard the artist in the ambulance i thought it sucked. But within a week it became my favorite album of all time. the heaviness became more subtle in the artist.... than in illusion of safety but at times even more powerful, its the same in vheissu... the aggression is even more subtle and perhaps more abstract but its there and at times as a sharper edge.... Listen to it, the effort you put into the music is shot back at you like a bullet. Thrice won't ever fade, period. Please go back to how you were in your next cd. Vheissu just dosnt sound like Thrice. To the retard that said he would rather eat his own fart than listen to Thrice again, buy Illusions of Safty, Artist in the Ambulence and Identity Crisis. Listen to them. Those cds are the best ever made. I was expecting another great cd by Thrice, and while Vheissu is still a good cd, it isn't nearly as good as Identity Crisis, Illusion of Safty or Artist in the Ambulence. In all of the songs except for Image of the Invisible and Hold Fast Hope it lacks the great skreaming that Thice has in almost all of their songs. And in all of the songs it lacks the incredibly great guitar rythems you hear in all other of their songs. But don't let this stop you from buying the cd, its still good. Thrice has just been giving us great cds for the past half decade or so, so that makes this cd look bad. It's just not as good. for all those who don't like the new cd don't fear change Have any of you out there heard a genre that just gets beaten into the ground? I listened to a lot of punk 6 or 7 years ago, but I noticed something...not much variation. most of the songs had the same ol' fast drum beat of "boom tat boom boom tat" That is just one example At first i was a little dissapointed because the cd didnt have that upfront kick i was expecting. But after i lstend to it a few times, im very glad its the way it is. It truely shows how good they are, and that they can process an individual thought instead of everyone sounding the same all the time, it still has the feeling you want. Only close minded fools with lack of imagination hate this cd. I'm quite surprised...a bunch of metal-screamo-dudes actually wrote a really solid off-metal album that delves way beyond pop sensibilities... I think this album SUCKS. It sounds like the guys in Thrice smoke some bud and listened to Isis and Neurosis while they wrote this I think this album rocks. It sounds like the guys in Thrice smoke some bud and listened to Isis and Neurosis while they wrote this. from the review It's cool to hate thrice now, it's not a terrible album but it's below par for thrice. You can't tell me this band sucks, because they released Illusion of Safety. It's admirable for them to not release IOS part II and they have a track record for changing their sound slightly or greatly in this case over every album. everybody who likes thrice is a wanker Wow. What a disappointing album. I'm glad Propaghandi came out the same day for my listening pleasure. green vandel i agree 100% with you,the thing is they do have ears and they do ahve brains its just that there head's are up there ass p.s. if you want to listen to the same shit over and over again try some shit band that just copies what they think is the best thing at that time all of thrice's cd's are uniqe and they continue to meet what i have begun to expect from them and that is great music bryan style especially and anyone else who has a negative comment about thrice's newest cd can go fuck yourself your the piece of shit if you can do better then i suggest you do so no one gives to shits what you think asshole prankish definitely has alot of hatred towards thrice. I mean if i didn't like a band i would post one comment saying this cd isn't my thing but this kid keeps posting over and over the SAME THING. I guess he has to have the last word since he is the coolest kid Yes I made out with the drummer and I am a transgender mexican hooker..... ps-if i wanted to listen to experimental rock, id listen to pelican or isis. not this. ANOTHER VICTIM OF ISLAND RECORDS. There is not an epic on this album. An epic song cannot be 5 minutes long (way too short.) The album is okay but playing the spacy type material a lot reminds me of them trying to be like an older progressive rock band and than it just doesn't cut it. They can't be a prog band, their songs don't compare to those of the older prog bands in the 70s. They even stole a reference from Genesis' "The Musical Box." (Also note that Peter Gabriel, the lead singer for Genesis, is among Dustin's list on their website of recommended listenings.) Just wanted to point out the misspelling: "Vheissu"...it started out fine, but then the misspelling started and didn't end... Does anyone remember when Thrice rocked? I'm starting to forget. There are maybe 1 or 2 tracks that caught my attention, but the rest of it I feel lacked the creativity and energy they used to have. Illusion of Safety by far rocked them all. This album is the result of a band that got too comfortable Dear Meliisa from Tampa, FL How I rank the Thrice albums I am a huge fan of Thrice and I would have to say they are defenitly close to tying for my #1 favorite. However.................the new CD is nothing close to what I expected. After buying all of Thrice's previous CDs, and especially after Artist in the Ambulance (which rocked) I would have to say the new CD is a complete digression of their capabilities. I am very disappointed and to top it all off I purchased the CD for $18 only to find out that it wasn't worth $4. THRICE...please for your sake and for the punk rock community go back to your roots, and stop with this slow, deep, "meaningful," so called music. I look forward to the next CD in hopes that you all redeem yourselves! Thank you-Melissa (Tampa, FL) How I rank the Thrice albums not bad, id rather listen to the old cds but its got some good songs Upon first listen, I was really taken a back by this. I expected something a little more aggressive. But by the end of the record, I was really starting to get into this more. I really didn't expect this type of experimentation. So when a undeground rock band has a "poppy" sound, I guess that means they are automatically popular? Defining pop is next to impossible...its one of those catch all terms. I usually just equate it with music that puts its highest emphasis on melody and...well being pretty. I never said Steve Osborne was not popular. What I said was that if they wanted to cash in they would've gone with the closest sounding genre to what they had previously sounded like (and what is currently popular in the rock genre) and therefore they would've gone with the other producer. The real question..........is it worth buying??? Anything that is released onto CD is fucking pop. That is, it is POPular enough to warrant release on CD by a company that is going to produce more than 50 copies. i dont need anything new for the sake of being new, but thrice bored me to death...i disliked their first album and this album is the awaited consequence of the first "people used the term emaocore in the 80s? i didnt know that. what bands were considered emocore in the 80s?" Nowhere did I say pop music was inherently bad. U2 and Paul Oakenfold are bad, though that's still completely unrelated. "Osbourne produced U2's "Pop", for christ's sake. It didn't sell well because it was awful in spite of its efforts to incorporate, as you might guess from the title, more pop. You can thank this assclown for producing "Discotheque". people used the term emaocore in the 80s? i didnt know that. what bands were considered emocore in the 80s? "GreenVandal, emocore was originally what emo was called back when it came about in the 80s. However, since then the term has shifted to just being emo, which stands for emotional hardcore. Calling anything emocore today is stupid because a direct insertion of what emo is short for creates the genre "emotional hardcore hardcore." That's just dumb. Also, emo is most certainly real. Listen to Kite-Flying Society. They're a cool emo band." You know what I find really funny? The same people who post about 'bands recycling sounds/ripping off insert band name here ' come on here and go 'where the hell is old Thrice? I want another Illusion of Safety! Sellouts!'. Osbourne produced U2's "Pop", for christ's sake. It didn't sell well because it was awful in spite of its efforts to incorporate, as you might guess from the title, more pop. You can thank this assclown for producing "Discotheque". I'm sure a band on "Epic" and "Island" records has the same money issues as a band on say "Pluto" or "Tribunal." Osborne produced a u2 album that had dismal sales (by u2's standards) and sounded nothing like their other CDs. Paul Oakenfeld is in techno. If they were looking for a "hit" sound I don't think techno is that sound (which is popular, but from where thrice stand, techno is pretty fucking far). "Emocore? Are you people fucking braindead? Steve Osbourne also produces U2 and Paul Oakenfold. I'm sure a band on "Epic" and "Island" records has the same money issues as a band on say "Pluto" or "Tribunal." "What would there be to whine about? Let me start out by saying that Illusion of Safety was by far my favorite album. True, they have drastically changed directions on Vheissu, but I find it remarkably beautiful. I have other bands to satisfy my metal tastes now, i.e. As I Lay Dying, so Thrice doesn't need to fill that niche for me as much. I am extremely impressed with the thought put into this album and I can't find a song that I don't like right now. people say if an album has to grow on you that means it sucks. well i used to think like that but now that usually means its different then what your used to listening to. an album that you like right away means that you've heard it before and you can identify with the sound. When something sounds different thats not a bad thing (well most of the time) This band is really boring. There is far more interesting music out there and Thrice is not doing anything new. "This is by far their LEAST whiny bullshit album of them all." everyone i know hates this, but i think it's their best album. Emocore? Are you people fucking braindead? this album is great this record alienated me, and i was a fan. I purchased this album the day it was released. I have not listened to it yet, but I am certainly not taking this guy's review seriously when his interests state the following: "Um, that's exactly what this album is. Increasing popularity, major label, a move to more mainstream type music...they are doing exactly what you say they are not. The new album is boring and is a slap in the face for all the fans who stuck with this garage band from CA and even made it possible for them to do stuff like this. Way to use your fans to stroke your ego, Dustin Kensrue." The guy below me: I don't think Thrice would sound good while playing Burnout 3. Yeah so the production sorta lacks, but brian mct. (their old producer) could NOT have made this record what it is now! I love this record so far but where are the fucking face melting solos tepp?!?! Has anyone including the reviewer even mentioned the drastic change in the production on this record compared to the two previous efforts with brian mectarran. The songs are arguably there on this record but the production sucks compared to the perfection of TAATA. The guitar tones suck in some places, you cant hear rileys drums in others and where the fuck is the bass on the first two songs? I like this. Thanks guys, I forgot all about the punk rock rulebook that says what someone can and can't do with their own music. Read through the lyrics on every record they have, and you'll find at least 75% of them are about Dustin's faith in some form. Some are more subtle than others, but for those of us who have similar feelings and struggles they hit home in a big way. jesus chirst who cares if hes a christian and practices so are a lot of people, its not like hes writing relient k songs about the power of god or something. writing songs about 'faith' is different than religeous preaching. being inspired by god or your religeon is not the same as pushing it on someone or being preachy. i see nothing wrong w/ any of the lyrics, they're pretty much just universal lyrics about hope or overcoming something. So because Dustin reads the bible and is able retell the story of peter betraying jesus, this is somehow related to how much he loves jesus and how christian he is? "emo core with metal influences is commercial" "i once was lost, but now i just listen to thrice" i once was lost, but now i just listen to thrice The review says "In a genre criticized for the lack of diversity and artistic merit, Thrice have stood out as the one band not willing to compromise talent or ideas to write a record to "cash in quick."" "I hate thrice. They are talented musicians, i can't take that away from them, but i really don't like them. i would rather eat my own fart, than listen to them again." I hate thrice. They are talented musicians, i can't take that away from them, but i really don't like them. i would rather eat my own fart, than listen to them again. Ummmm, Dustin is one of the most attractive men ever. So i love thrice. So because Dustin reads the bible and is able retell the story of peter betraying jesus, this is somehow related to how much he loves jesus and how christian he is? Expectations ARE a lot to bare, but more importantly, a lot to BEAR. Thrice bares all. this record is good, their best musically so far. thank jesus' balls for neurosis or we'd never have radio ready doom inspired christian core. prankish you're a goddamned moron. "but the road Thrice has turned down is one surely lined with gold." does this imply major label success or something or am I reading too much into things? These guys just came on Jimmy Kimmil and they were boring. emo core with metal influences is commercial, dude in fact metalcore and emocore with metal influences is the corporate whore of the so called underground http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/luke/luke22.htm#v1 "the entire song "like moths to flame" is straight from the bible." can you give some examples of lyrics that you think are overtly christian please? any band that started out in the 'emo-core with metal influences' cant really sell out. Im glad they are finding there own sound even though its not entirely original. i enjoy this a little more then artist in the ambulance. If you base "selling out" by how much they scream.....well good for you. To me selling out would what liz phair did. This kinda reminds me of pig destroyer but with singing, no grind parts, and the addition of piano and stuff. "yeah, but they get to see chris carrabba naked and ejaculateing!!!!" thrice sucks end of story..... "honestly, when did these guys become a christian band...not that it matters to me but its funny I never realized they were so into God." "It's a bad thing if they're anything like the cheerleaders that were at my highschool..." "honestly, when did these guys become a christian band...not that it matters to me but its funny I never realized they were so into God." I dont like you very much prankish. honestly, when did these guys become a christian band...not that it matters to me but its funny I never realized they were so into God. this thread is totally shot to shit. Lets talk about something else. "The fact that I thought you were 14 alone should let you know how you come across. I'd say that speaks louder volumes than anything you've said thus far." this thread is totally shot to shit. Lets talk about something else. It's a bad thing if they're anything like the cheerleaders that were at my highschool... Now, with a statement like that, you must have some kind of evidence, and it had better be better than "well, I heard from a dude who heard from a friend of his that used to pump gas with a guy who was the brother to Thrice's roadie". But when you're gang banging teenage cheerleaders backstage with Chris Carrabba, I guess artistic integrity is really put into perspective. But when you're gang banging teenage cheerleaders backstage with Chris Carrabba, I guess artistic integrity is really put into perspective. You sure claim to be able to discern a lot, but you can't discern the difference between me and Colin? Obviously not, as you keep lumpking us into one person. But nevermind. Wow, what the fuck happened to this band This album does try a bit too hard to be "epic". I knew what I would be in for when I read the band notes. It's cool of Thrice to throw in their little "behind the scenes" notes. I loved it on The Artist In The Ambulance, but this time... I mean, a two page story about the album by their manager? Come on. I already bought the album, they can stop trying to sell it. They're making an album, not re-writing the bible. Listen, bitches. Yikes, someone has WAY too much free time on their hands. Maybe if you spent all this time and energy on your homework, you wouldn't be a 23 year old junior. Hrmm, I just decided to list the incorrect assumptions, fallacies of argument, and senselessly reiterated points you've made thus far: This is too weird. I let most of these people on here try to convince me that this new Thrice cd was gonna be horrible. I bought this cd today with the lowest expectations I've ever had for a cd I actually bought. "In a genre criticized for the lack of diversity and artistic merit, Thrice have stood out as the one band not willing to compromise talent or ideas to write a record to "cash in quick." " ...and I use "and excessive exclamation points"? The only exclamation point (note: singular) I've used in this entire thread was in an imitation of you. Actually, I brought up my age in order to correct 3/4ths of your consistently incorrect assumptions. Once again, I explained that verbatim in my previous post but your college degree obviously wasn't in English. Every response you strain to conjure tries to goad me into some kind of name calling, though the only insult seemed able to reiterate (over, and over, and over) is that I was younger than you. I am not. So, one more time because I know you have trouble reading: now that 3/4ths of what you have said has been deemed wrong, I can move along. tool still fuckin rocks right? this conversation the two of you are having is pathetic. can't u just accept that u have a difference of opinion?!?! neither of u know what thrice's motivations are for this change of direction, whether it be to make more sales or just to progress as musicians. fact is WE DON'T KNOW, so i don't really understand u guys getting into this argument over presumptions both of u are making, probably unfairly. why don't we just let the music speak for itself and let everyone have his/her own opinion about it. i don't really see the need, or for that matter the purpose of petty bickering and insulting. Trying to discredit me with random age insults doesn't change the fact that Thrice makes bad music. Not that it matters in the area of realizing Thrice is garbage, but I am 23 years old and a junior in college. Now that 3/4ths of your nonsensical slanderous rambling is even more irrelevant than before (if that is possible), I'll continue. Trying to discredit me with random age insults doesn't change the fact that Thrice makes bad music. Not that it matters in the area of realizing Thrice is garbage, but I am 23 years old and a junior in college. Now that 3/4ths of your nonsensical slanderous rambling is even more irrelevant than before (if that is possible), I'll continue. |
