ALBUM REVIEW: Thornhill – Bodies

‘…Not only does this record serve as a testament to the four-piece’s creativity and desire to evolve, but also makes for a damn fun listen…’

Since their inception, Thornhill have been a hotly tipped outfit in the Australian heavy music scene. Between their 2018 EP ‘Butterfly‘ and 2019 debut LP ‘The Dark Pool‘, the band became famed for a ferocious and ambitious take on metalcore, and gained a cult following in the process. Yet whilst the band could have easily have continued to pursue this sound, they pivoted wildly towards a glittering, cinematic, alternative metal sound on their incredible sophomore 2022 record, ‘Heroine‘. It sounded unlike anything else in the scene, and has propelled the band to international fame.

With the single ‘Viper Room‘, it seemed like the band were in a state of metamorphosis, and that has been proven with the release of the band’s third record, ‘BODIES‘. Whilst the leap from ‘Herione‘ to ‘BODIES‘ isn’t quite as dramatic of a leap as we saw between the band’s previous records, ‘BODIES‘ sees the band taking their alternative metal sound and merging it with a nu-metal flair. The result is, perhaps, the quintessential ‘baddiecore’ record.

‘DIESEL‘ makes for one hell of an opening track, quickly asserting what ‘BODIES‘ is all about. Immense grooves are conjured up by swaggering bass lines and booming percussion, whilst Jacob Charlton’s ferocious vocals see his screams return, now better than ever. The track effortlessly flows into ‘Revolver‘, with silky smooth melodies giving the whole affair an undeniably passionate flair. The build-up and breakdown around the midpoint is effortlessly cool, whilst the further breakdown in the climax is brilliantly heavy and certain to appeal to those who miss Thornhill’s earlier sound.

‘Silver Swarm‘ is a luscious, 90’s tinged beast of a track, with gorgeous synth instrumentals colliding with punchy nu-metal riffing; it almost feels as if it has been ripped directly from a PS1 demo disc menu. ‘TONGUES’ doubles down on the album’s sensual and intimate tone, with unbelievably slick grooves, ethereal melodic progressions, and stabbing moments of brutal heaviness. ‘nerv’ swings back in nu-metal direction, with blistering guitar riffs layered atop of swaggering rhythms, whilst Charlton delivers his vocals with something of a rapped flow.

‘Obsession’ is perhaps the track that is the most indicative of the album’s themes of lust, desire and intimacy. This grunge-tinged number made for a killer lead single from the record, and has lost none of its potency over time. Snaking riffs are punctuated by sharp snare strikes, whilst glittering choruses are adorned with luscious vocal harmonies; it all feels wonderfully cinematic, and a little dangerous.

‘CRUSH’ is a wildly unexpected RnB number with luscious instrumental marked by glittering synths, trap hi-hats, and understated, smouldering vocals. It fits the album’s sound and aesthetic perfectly, even without any of the chunky riffs that dominate the record. ‘under the knife’ makes it clear that the band aren’t going quietly however, and returns to the heaviness with a vengeance; moments of melodic spaciousness are contrasted beautifully with crushing, claustrophobic brutality, marked by jagged riffs and biting vocals.

‘For Now’ brings the album to a sweeping close, with a surprisingly tender vocal performance from Charlton, as he grapples with an intense, unrequited love. It makes for a wonderful tonal shift from the lust-fuelled ragers that take up much of the record, acting as the moment when the party ends and real life comes creeping back in. Considering that this wasn’t originally intended as the album’s closing track, it is hard to imagine such a record being ended on a more perfect note.

All of that is to say that if you haven’t heard of Thornhill yet, then ‘BODIES’ ensures you’re about to. Not only does this record serve as a testament to the four-piece’s creativity and desire to evolve, but also makes for a damn fun listen that feels like metal at its most modern. The sounds may harken back to the past, but never once does it feel like Thornhill are derivative; they keep their gaze squarely focused on pushing the heavy scene into new and enchanting territory.

Baddiecore is here; all hail its new overlords.

RATING: 86/100 – Mostly Excellent

For Fans Of: Deftones, Ocean Grove, rozemary, House Of Protection, Spiritbox

Physical copies are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify