Thrice
The Illusion Of Safety

After the promising debut "Identity Crisis", the Californian quartet Thrice comes out with an album that still surprises today. "The Illusion Of Safety", in addition to being an excellent CD, has created, perhaps unexpectedly, a series of disciples and clone bands.

The beginning is dazzling. "Kill Me Quickly" is like a punch to the head and neck. Hardcore. Pure (or almost). The power of the song doesn't distort the sound that characterizes Thrice. Speed, energy, and melody coexist perfectly in a single composition under 3 minutes. "See You in the Shallows" continues the theme. The rhythms now, while still very brisk, are relatively softer and closer to a canonical Melodic Hardcore, but with excellent openings and tight phrasing between guitar, voice, and drums.

"Deadbolt" opens with the ultra-fast riff of Teppei Teranishi, who confirms himself once again in this second CD as an excellent guitarist. The tempo changes and the memorable chorus make the song one of the greatest hits of Thrice (watch the official video on YouTube to get the idea). "The Red Death" stands out as one of the best songs on "The Illusion Of Safety". So far, there are no drops in tone or boring fillers that would inevitably lower the overall final judgment.

The typically Hardcore matrix is revisited in "To Awake and Avenge the Dead", another gem that always fires up the pit at concerts. Dustin Kensrue has a powerful voice, never exaggerated and always very inspired.

Thrice proves they know what they're doing even when the rhythms become more complex. In fact, it's with "So Strange I Remember You" that they begin a long evolution that will lead them towards new experiments, those of "The Alchemy Index", to be clear.

The production handled by Brian McTernan turns out relatively good, although not as excellent as "The Artist In The Ambulance" (also due to budget issues, I imagine).

No hesitation. "The Illusion Of Safety" is manna from heaven for those seeking power, melody, and speed.