It wasn’t too long ago that our hearts were all mended from the crushing news of a hiatus of one of the most important post-hardcore bands of the early 2000s-era. And since their return, Thrice continue their amazing post-hiatus run with their tenth studio album, Palms. For almost two decades now, Thrice have been a staple in any alternative/post-hardcore playlist and their influence on these genres is largely evident, despite keeping under the mainstream radar throughout their career.

Before getting into the latest release, let’s just take a look back. Early in their career Thrice was caught in this thick web of post-hardcore scene where all the bands were seemingly molding into one sound as time went by, but they stood out with The Illusion Of Safety (2002) and The Artist In The Ambulance (2003); and they could have easily continued to make those albums over and over again because that’s what made a name for them. But as true musicians they began to mold their sound into something unique with one of my all-time favorite albums, Vheissu (2005) and they stopped experimenting and transforming their sound. After the success of Vheissu, Thrice began alter their sound and put out a handful of albums that really grabbed the attention of a completely different type of fanbase. The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II (2007), The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV (2008), Beggars (2009), Major/Minor (2011) were all albums that really didn’t connect with the core of their audience and while they are all still absolutely amazing albums, there was just something missing and Thrice really felt it as they ended up announcing their hiatus in 2012.

Towards the end of 2014, the band caused a stir when they passively announced their return with a picture from within a recording studio and began to make festival appearance in 2015. They then made their official return with 2016’s To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere which was new and more welcomed transformation of their established sound. Their latest release, Palms, which was released on September 14, continues this new improved and mature sound from the band but continues to feel new and refreshed from anything they’ve ever released before.

The incredible songwriting ability lyrically and on the guitar from frontman Dustin Kensrue is as clear as ever and the back and the gritty and infectious riffs put together with guitarist Teppei Teranishi is what really drives this album. And of course, the efforts of bassist Eddie Breckenridge and drummer Riley Breckenridge cannot be forgotten as it all comes together as a complete and wonderfully cohesive collection of ten tracks.

For the fans of the earlier Thrice ‘sound’ that may not have been too happy with their return on To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, unfortunately, this is going to be another album that just won’t be your cup of tea. While they are not the same band that they were in 2005, what band is? These post-hiatus albums are a new era for this band and I would encourage anyone to really put in the effort to hear the and feel the power in this music. Especially with Palms, there is raw emotion that can be felt through songs like ‘Beyond The Pines‘, ‘Just Breathe‘, and ‘Everything Belongs‘.

Palms is the full embodiment of what this band has become. The maturity and growth from aggressive teens to men that have found their place; the very core of their aged yet fresher sound that first emerged on To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, has stepped into the spotlight.