THORNHILL - HEROINE
credit: jon pisani
Thornhill return with their second album Heroine, a departure from their debut release as they find their form as musicians and performers. This album transports the listener back to the golden-era of classic Hollywood, revivifying the meaning of performance from a musical perspective. Taking a step away from introspective atmospheric metalcore by broadening their influence of metal genres, they’ve developed a distinctive sound that elevates them out of the seemingly endless pool of Australian metal groups.
Lyricist and vocalist Jacob Charlton details his shift in perspective to the way in which he prepared for recording Heroine, stating “I realised you’re not just singing your lyrics, you’re emoting. You’re conveying a message or a feeling not only through vocals, but through performance.”
Jacob and guitarist/producer Ethan McCann noting that the sophomore album was inspired by the glamour and charm of classic Hollywood cinema, and as such have envisioned every song as part of an anthology of vivid stories for the listener to indulge their imagination with.
Every track certainly has their own narrative appeal, with ‘The Hellfire Club’ kicking off a high octane, dramatic introduction which sounds reminiscent of the nu-metal scene with artists like Deftones. This energy continues into ‘Leather Wings’ and ‘Arkangel’ which deliver the heaviest sound on the album, showcasing Thornhill’s ability to be multidimensional with the sound they’re putting out.
‘Valentine’ is a highlight on Heroine as it boldly dares to be different. It draws from elements of chill-hop that resonates the dreamy hypnotic lyrics luring the listener in. ‘Something Terrible Came With The Rain’ features as the albums only instrumental, telling a story of mystery wrapped in an enigma that the title connotes. It’s an interesting musical piece that feels unusual, breaking up the tone and pace of the album, but heightens the conceptual experience of Heroine as a body of work.
As well as a variety of fresh sounds, there are nostalgic mementos that make tracks feel familiar using riffs that sound derivative of 00’s pop-punk/garage-rock. ‘Varsity Hearts’ is a prime example of this, with its main riff being the echo from the past surrounded by crushing riffs and emotive lyrics. This contrast between old and new tones evokes the joy of fond memories and then dusts them off and makes them real again.
Thornhill’s newest addition is a beautiful work of art, that is sure to capture the hearts of fans and first-time listeners. They’re consistent manipulation of genres makes for a dynamic sound that doesn’t stagnate as the album progresses, benefiting the narratives being told. The concept driving Heroine is quite different from a lot of the solemn topics covered in the broad spectrum of metal and it comes as a refreshing contrast which ultimately makes this album very enjoyable. The glamour, the peaks and troughs of dramatic stories nails the Hollywood inspiration, and stimulates a visual audio experience that is demonstrative representation of how good this Aussie group are and the potential they have going forward.
David Barter
★★★★☆