By Kevin Koeninger
When you’ve covered as much musical terrain as Thrice, there are few other areas left to explore.
The album, “The Alchemy Index: Volumes I and II: Fire and Water,” is a bit tricky. This latest venture is the first of two double albums released on the band’s new label, Vagrant Records.
Generally considered metal or post-hardcore, Thrice has continually released gut-pounding records with intricately layered guitar compositions and sometimes incomprehensibly deep lyrics.
Lead vocalist Dustin Kensrue continually walks the line between the hardcore and the melodic, a path that has always garnered a great deal of respect and success from the musical community.
The album consists of two CDs, named and modeled after the elements of fire and water. Subsequently, “Fire” showcases the band’s harder side, stirring up sounds reminiscent of the band’s early releases like “Identity Crisis” and “The Illusion of Safety.” However, nothing is so familiar or repetitive as to feel like a re-treading of previous songs.
“Water” is a more ambitious album creatively, combining a much more melancholic Kensrue with shiploads of echo and reverb, along with bits of electronica.
The song “Digital Sea” sets the tone for the latter album, and sadly little changes as the songs progress.
Another track is “Open Water,” which just enhances volume II’s theme. Continual references to drowning and Davey Jones’ locker seem to be lyrical choices that are just a bit too obvious, even for a record entitled “Water.”
The utter contrast between the two albums is another point of contention, begging the question as to why Thrice didn’t simply release “Fire” and “Water” as individual record?
“Fire” has more than enough merit to stand on its own, and I can’t help but wonder if “Water” would be more effective as a stand-alone release.
