Artist Profile: Thrice

Now, if you are as much of a "music freak" as I tend to be, you would agree that much of music today is getting pretty old. Pop bands sound similar to each other, rock bands (depending on how "hard" they are) sound identical, and creativity hard to be found, if not impossible at times when you are looking for relevant music that exhibits both creativity and the power to tap into the voice of the Holy Ghost. However, don't be in dismay, because there is a band that all of you might like, and that is Thrice.

Now, truth be told, Thrice shares a lot of commonalities to another creative, spirit-inflected band back in the 80's... U2. Firstly, they both started off playing a particular variety of punk rock. For U2, it was post-punk, the genre that took a lot of the creativity and ingenuity of the 70's-era punk scene and expanded it (even to the point in which progressive bands like King Crimson and Yes experimented in the new-found genre). For Thrice, however, they were practitioners of hardcore/screamo when they began. However, as both continued to grow musically and lyrically, both grew to be heavily experimental and lyrically facing towards Christ. In Thrice's case, it began as referencing works of the great theologian C.S. Lewis until, recently, they even weren't afraid to quote SCRIPTURE in their music. To give you a variety of their experimentations and Spirit-filled music, I'll give you, the reader, 4 examples from their last four albums: Vheissu, The Alchemy Index 1-4, and Beggars.

1) Vheissu: For Miles
This song starts off very quietly, with piano taking center-stage with distorted guitars providing a counter-melody. Musically, it builds up, getting louder and more bombastic until, at the end, the soothing vocals of Dustin Kensrue transform into throat-curtailing screams! Lyrically, however, this is a beast in itself. This song has a great sense of the optimism that the one who keeps his eyes to Christ will have, even to the end when we return home, looking at the trials of our past as "milestones on our way". The chorus continues the optimism, reminding the listener that "There's no greater love than the one who shed his blood for his friends..." Wait... that's a clear reference to Jesus! It's a fantastic, yet at the same time exhausting, song that really provides the listener to how Thrice is.

2) Alchemy Index 1-2: The Messenger
This song is a quick, heavy, electronic-filled bit of mayhem... in a good way. The lyrics make a reference to Isaiah ("Kiss the coal, breathe in smoke and I say, 'Here am I, send me.") to describe the struggle of preaching  the Plan of Salvation to a world that Satan actively tries to deceive... Wait, it is also a reference to Christ in Abraham 3! (You can tell the excitement when I find all of the clear scriptural references in this band... that's probably why I like these guys so much!)

3) Alchemy Index 3-4: Come All You Weary
Unlike the last two songs, this song is a nice, smooth, mellow. bluesy-type of song. In a way, the music is very appropriate, since this speaks of Christ exhorting us to find rest by trading our burdens with His. This is another great example of Thrice's experimentation at work (imagine if this had any screaming in it... yikes!) The lyrical value, in addition to the nice blues-inspired music, help communicate to the listener Christ's desire for us to come to Him and find rest in this life that seems to be filled with strife and temptation.

4) Beggars: Beggars
This final song in this Artist Profile is much like the last song... nice, smooth, and a tad bit bluesy. Lyrically, however, it is probably one of the most deepest of all of the songs. Quoting King Benjamin's speech in Mosiah 4 (Thrice probably didn't use this, but the Spirit probably inspired them), this song is much a song of humility to all, since we all suffer from pride in our lives. All the blessings we've been given were brought forth by God's grace, and noting this we should be grateful for Him and thank Him for our blessings. I find it personally deep because, while I might not be a big-shot who swaggers all he has or a "know-it-all" scientist trying to disprove the need for God, I do suffer with pride at times. Maybe, instead of looking at the things I've been blessed with as mine, I should really thank Heavenly Father and continue to Praise Him always...

Keep posted!