Today we’re reviewing the recent release of Heroine by Melbourne outfit Thornhill. This is their second full-length studio album and a follow-up to the superbly rich The Dark Pool. Formed in 2015, Thornhill is Jacob Charlton (vocals), Ethan McCann (guitar), Ben Maida (drums), Nick Sjogren (bass), and Matt van Duppen (guitar).
Before I get much further, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Heroine is not a metalcore release, and to be honest I’m not sure I’d consider The Dark Pool metalcore either. So don’t expect Heroine to be as such. We have this need to box bands into a particular sound, to give them labels so that we know what to expect. This is a very different album for Thornhill and to say I was concerned with the release of their first single, Raw, would be an understatement. I absolutely loved The Dark Pool and they’re an incredible band live, so I was initially nervous when giving the Heroine a proper go.
Frankly, Heroine is a far cry from The Dark Pool and while it’s unfair to compare the two I didn’t enjoy this album nearly as much. That’s not to say it’s terrible, there’s plenty of good content here to enjoy. However, it’s a change in direction for the band with elements of the album sounding like Deftones, Muse, or even JJ72 (remember them?). It’s a brave album and I’ve got to hand it to Thornhill for trying something new.
Heroine commences with The Hellfire Club and nowhere is the Deftones/Muse sound more evident than in this song. It’s a solid offering that certainly sets the tone for the remainder of the album. Leather Wings and Blue Velvet really push the envelope with some of the high vocal tones. So much so that I think they may be pushing it just a touch too much.
An octave lower and perhaps they’d have pulled it off roundly. You be the judge on that one.
Arkangel is the standout track on the album for me. It sounds more like the Thornhill that I’ve enjoyed so much in the past. It’s heavier and while it still has that Heroine sound, it just has more going for it. Valentine gave me vibes of Mike Patton on the album Lovage album. I’m a HUGE Mike Patton fan so no foul here.
I don’t think I’m being harsh in my assessment. The album is worth a listen. It’s worth multiple listens since it’s a grower album. It’s a conundrum that many a band has faced, how do you follow up a critically acclaimed album? You’re always going to be compared to your best.
Tracklist:
- The Hellfire Club
- Leather Wings
- Blue Velvet
- Arkangel
- Valentine
- Casanova
- Something Terrible Came with the Rain
- Hollywood
- Raw
- Varsity Hearts
- Heroine
Thornhill: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: UNFD
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Phil Bergersen
