They say good things come to those who wait. Post-Hardcore stalwarts Thrice prove this to be true with the long awaited second half of 2021’s well received Horizons/East album, titled Horizons/West, due October 3rd on Epitaph Records. Originally slated for a 2022 release, the band instead decided to hold off on /West, and re-record their 2003 classic,The Artist and the Ambulance for its 20 year anniversary. For some bands, that much time away between finishing a thematic two-part album may cause continuity issues, but fortunately that is not the case with /West. Rest assured, this is not more of the same. While Horizons/East was mostly optimistic & full of light, Horizons/West is a stark contrast, dark & morose.
The album opens ominously with Blackout, which starts off with singer Dustin Kensrue’s trademark deep, raspy vocals complimenting Riley Breckenridge’s slow, methodical drumming. This intro slowly builds to all hell breaking loose halfway through the song, as Kensrue repeats “Blackout the moon, blackout the stars, blackout the sun!” while the rest of the band joins in, setting the post apocalyptic tone for the rest of the album. The first two singles Gnash and Albatross keep up the high energy, with the later being one of the catchiest songs on /West. Eddie Breckenridge’s bass is showcased a lot more here than on previous albums, none more noticeable than on Albatross & Crooked Shadows later on in the album. Both contain killer grooves that really standout.
Undertow slows things down, with ambient tech sounds accompanying Teppei Teranishi’s unique guitar tone that give the song an underwater feel, as Dustin starts off singing “Cold water, pulled me under, then somehow felt your hand.” This somber mood serves as a reminder that the apocalypse is indeed upon us. While this song may not be for everyone, it’s a personal favorite of mine. I just kept finding myself coming back to it as I prepared the review. Things get a little more traditional & upbeat with Holding On, which should be a fun one to see live. The ambient instrumental Dusk acts as an intermission, leading into the very strong second half of the album. The Dark Glow starts us off with a hypnotic, nervous feel, that has Kensrue sounding a bit like Kurt Kobain.
Longtime fans of the band will be glad to know that a few tracks sound as if they could have been featured on Vhiessu, specifically Distant Suns & Vesper Light. There are a lot of really unique and subtle choices throughout /West, one such example is on Distant Suns. When Dustin sings the words “Distant Suns”, the chord hangs in the key, which is a great use of harmony, to emphasize the lyric, as it makes the listener feel like it’s taking you distant from the home key. It’s these small, but creative choices that a band of almost 30 years has the wherewithal to include, that really separates Thrice from their contemporaries. Meanwhile,Vesper Light might confuse listeners at first into thinking this is a Radiohead song, as Kensrue gives his best Thom Yorke impression, or perhaps even Sting & The Police. Nonetheless, it’s a great track that is one of the most memorable on /West. The album closes with Unitive/West, which cryptically uses wind chimes & bells over Dustin’s grim vocals, a chilling signal that the world is coming to an end.
Overall, Horizons/West is a solid bookend to Horizons/East, as well as standing on its own merits. Thematic albums can be a huge risk for most bands, however Thrice has made a career out of constantly evolving, with their diehard fan base supporting them along the way. There’s plenty to love here for the hardcore fans & casual listeners alike.
8.8/10
Thrice – Horizons/West
Release Date 10/3/2025
Tracklisting:
- Blackout
- Gnash
- Albatross
- Undertow
- Holding On
- Dusk
- The Dark Glow
- Crooked Shadows
- Distant Suns
- Vesper Light
- Unitive/West
The Scope of 