It’s commonplace these days that when a band goes on hiatus, they’ll reconvene within a few years. Some pick up right where they left off, others don’t. For a band like Thrice, it’s no surprise they’ve done the former. ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’ is the band’s first output in five years and sees the Californian four-piece serving up their most accomplished album to date.

Balanced out by an apocalyptic undertone and ethereal alt-rock dynamic, ‘TBEITBN’ flows with ease. From the stirring opener ‘Hurricane’ to the impassioned ‘Blood on the Sand’ to the tender finale of ‘Salt and Shadow,’ Thrice supply you with an enthralling and engaging collection.

Overlaid by subtly cinematic production, every song on offer is crafted with precision, making you engulf everything Thrice have to offer. On songs such as ‘Whistleblower’ and ‘Blood on The Sand,’ Dustin Kensrue’s raw vocals take charge through soaring choruses with guitar lines to match. Whilst ‘The Long Distance’ and ‘Black Honey’ highlight their ability to grab hold of the listeners attention intimately before rewarding them with fine execution. It’s a trait that Thrice perfectly pulls off repeatedly.

Throughout cuts such as ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Death From Above’ thrive off the band’s overwhelming wall of sound, simply adding to the album’s brilliance.

As an “Album of the Year” contender, Thrice has raised the bar. Even after the twentieth listen, ‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’ is a delight to hear. The sequencing, the song craftsmanship, the musicianship and the raw vocal display makes for one of the most satisfying records you’ll hear all year. Truly brilliant.

5/5

‘To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere’ by Thrice is out now on Vagrant Records.

Thrice links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Words by Sêan Reid (@SeanReid86)