Thornhill Are Back W/ Third Studio Album “BODIES” Out April 4th.
After a trail of blistering and beloved singles being dropped over the past year, Thornhill is now on the cusp of releasing their third studio album, BODIES. With Jacob Charlton on vocals, Ethan McCan on guitar, Nick Sjogren gracing the bass and Ben Maida on drums, this band is no stranger to Aussie metal enthusiasts. Over the span of a decade now, they have garnered a devoted fan base that packs out any venue they play. Even the release of their debut album,The Dark Pool, is a testament to the bands integrity and skill, displaying a true dynamic between crushing riffs and delicate atmospheres that set a definitive bar. Their sophomore album, HEROINE, raised said bar even higher with its clear vision oozing out of every note, a much heavier direction that only catapulted Thornhill further into the spotlight.
“Arkangel” was my first Thorny track, Tristan was basically curating my entire music taste at the time and played it for me on our lunch break at work. I got home that day and immediately listened to the album in its entirety, twice. I’m a sucker for romantic vocals layered over luscious basslines, and Thornhill’s distinction was just that. I truly thought that nothing could really top this last release, until the single “nerv” came out and proved me wrong. I first got to see them perform when they opened for Architects back in 2023, around that time they had also just released merch with the slogan “Horny for Thorny” to raise money after a break-in ending in almost all of their gear being stolen. Considering all that and getting to see the way they have blown up over the past two years alone, there’s nothing holding Thornhill back on this new record.
The album starts off strong, as the gut-wrenching riff of “DIESEL” rips right into it. Off the bat, I acknowledged that this record was going to be unlike anything I’ve heard from them before. With a noticeable jump in production quality, my jaw was already slack in awe of the rich, intricate layering within every second of the opening track and I revelled in the ferocious drumming and harsh screeches. “Revolver” very naturally fits into the band's grungy, gritty aesthetic, being named after the beloved club on Chapel St. One of my favourite moments on the album is the breakdown on this track, which is hard to say because it has so many peaks woven throughout the tracklist.
I suppose “Silver Swarm” could double as a visualiser for “Revolver”, set on a swarming dance floor where the band is thrashing away. The rich, deep blue saturation and grainy shadows serve the soundscape seamlessly, wrapping up the song in an aphrodisiac that floods the senses and moves your body for you. When discussing the themes of the song, the band states “It’s a haunting portrayal of the internal conflict that arises when love, control, and toxicity become entangled, leaving the listener to confront the complexity of being trapped in something both harmful and compelling”.
The strongest aspect of this album is not only the attention to detail, but the effortless intertwining of the best sounds of their previous two albums into this new, raw yet polished angle. It’s nothing we’ve ever heard before, yet entirely familiar. The progression at this point of the album slows down a bit with “Only Ever You”, which brings back that cinematic air that HEROINE presented, while “Fall Into The Wind” reminded me of my first listen of The Dark Pool. The song does just that, it lets you float along pleasantly, a hushed dreamscape in comparison to the rest, but there’s no rest for the wicked as “Tongues” slams its foot down on the gas. I stand confidently in saying this is one of their best tracks to date, every second is unforgettable and presents to the listener a new side to the band they are only just beginning to understand.
“With BODIES, we have embraced a more immediate, unfiltered approach that feels like a lightning bolt, looking to capture the energy of ‘Thornhill right now’”.
“nerv” slots into the album perfectly, the first half is more subtle in its volatility but only builds with sultry tension, Charlton’s voice weaving through the verses then soaring in the chorus. It’s sharp, concise in every drum kick and it rolls over perfectly in Obsession, which takes the torch and douses it in lighter fluid, an addictive track with a gorgeous music video to go along with it. CRUSH gives you your final respite before the ending of the record, it swarms around a psychedelic electronic groove that gently lets go of your hand before “Under the Knife” jerks you in an opposite direction.
“For Now” is a Brother’s Grimm-esque kind of fantasy, a dreary fable that doesn’t comfort you, rather leaves you begging the question, “is it really over?” whilst simultaneously tearing your heart into two. I’m beyond impressed - listening from front to back I could feel the presence of each performer, the tension on each string and the yearning melancholy this record prescribes to the listener. Whether you are a long time fan or have only just jumped on board, you are in for most likely one of the most impressive releases of the year. Thornhill have breathed air back into their own lungs, and I can’t wait to hear how these tracks translate live.
Pre-Order BODIES Here - https://thornhill.komi.io/