When the band describes their past albums as two-dimensional, you kind of have to laugh. Anyone with ears can tell that Thrice have always been different. Thrice have always been above the competition, making music infinitely more challenging and satisfying than many of their peers. While bridging the gap between the Warped Tour and Ozzfest audiences, Thrice have put out three mature and lyrically profound albums, all while getting virtually no recognition from the mainstream. With "Vheissu," all that is likely to change. Something this good is improssible to ignore.

It's taken me quite a while to absorb this album. To sit down and actually write a review. Albums like this one are tricky to describe, especially in this case, where the music can't be categorized. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this album in October, but what I heard that night on the ride home was not what I was expecting. Thrice have thrown us through a loop. "Vheissu" is more focused on lyrics and dense, mesmerizing musical landscapes. Nearly gone are the punch-to-the-gut riffs of Teppei Teranishi, while frontman Dustin Kensrue is put front and center, as best evidenced by "The Earth Will Shake" and the massive closing number, "Red Sky." Granted, "Hold Fast Hope" will feel like home, as will "Image Of The Invisible" and "Between The End And Where We Lie," but most of this album will take the average Thrice listener by surprise. The liner notes do an excellent job of showing where the band is coming from. In the beginning, the band cites Radiohead's "Kid A" and Deftones' "White Pony" as major inspirations, and perhaps that can give you an idea of what to expect. Thrice are simply a band tired of playing the same old kinds of songs, so on "Vheissu" they have created a new style for themselves.

You might not like it at first, but give it time. I promise no disappointment. If you discount this album, you'll be sorry later. It's quite simply a masterpiece. But then again, what did you expect from Thrice? They always deliver a hundred percent, above what is is expected. They blew away my expectations, and now I absolutely cannot wait to hear what these guys have in store for us next.

So, basically, this album is amazing and certainly the best thing Thrice has done so far. It's so EPIC and well-crafted and their songwriting is even better and it's more experimental and eclectic and more condensed and concise and everything is there for a reason and the whole album is so WONDERFUL. The first track, "Image Of The Invisible" is catchy as all hell and so well-written. The second track is certainly a grower, with its electronic touches and more subdued atmosphere. To be honest, it's my least favorite song on the album, but I have grown to enjoy it a lot more on multiple listens. And I don't think it really fits with everything else on the album. But, after that, every song just gets BETTER and BETTER. The drumming is immense and the guitarwork is immense and the basswork is immense and the vocals are so f'ing good - Dustin has improved his vocal ability two-fold.

It's amazing how far this band has come - from a punk band with metal influences to a metal band with punk influences to a hardcore band with well-structured songs and experimental tendencies, and now to an experimental metal band with hardcore tendencies.

If you've ever enjoyed Thrice, this is THE album to check out. I think this is the album of the year, even moreso than the new Ulver and Dredg releases (which I can't stop listening to, either)

SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

I first learnt of Thrice through TAITA, and when it came out people were complaining that it was too mainstream and cut-down compared to IC and IOS. I personally loved it, and after that purchased the two afforementioned albums as well. I enjoyed them also, and now after a long period of waiting Vheissu has surfaced.

Well, what can I say. As someone who has enjoyed Thrice in the past for Dustin's cutting and heartfelt vocals, Teppei's immense riffing, Riley's great little time changes and Ed's huge, booming Drop C bass sound- I can safely say that this album has very little of what I enjoyed from the last three albums. Riffs now take a back seat to soundscapes and the bass isn't quite as thick, whilst Dustin has changed his vocal style. Riley still does a pretty good job on the drums though. Sure, it creates a different musical bed because of the guitar patterns that are laid over it, but its still pretty good.

All in all, this doesn't sound like Thrice to me. I associated Thrice with the attributes I mentioned above and they've changed their sound completely. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure this is a pretty good album, but there's nothing here that I was looking forward to. Instead we get a mish-mash of other band's styles (Radiohead/Coldplay/Mars Volta, to name three). Thats why I think this album deserves two scores. One for big fans of Thrice's old style, and one for Thrice virgins who would be less likely to compare this album to their older works.

For the former I'd give this a 2/5, and for the latter I'd give it a 4/5. Why? Cause I know that this is probably an excellent album. I just cannot see it yet because I'm still left with the taste of something new. I'm going to listen to it a little more, and maybe that familiar Thrice brilliance will shine through, only in a different shade.

PS. If you feel that this review is abusive, know this; Constructive criticism of a band helps them evolve. If Thrice heard nothing but unconditional praise for everything they did, they'd put no effort in whatsoever. Remember that. If it makes you feel like any more of a fanboy though, go ahead and click "no." I'm sure it'll tickle you in all the right places.

This album is fantastic. I've been a fan of Thrice for so long, and I've picked up I think pretty much all of their CDs. I have to be honest though...it took a few play-throughs for me to find a liking for it. I honestly despised it at first. I could hardly believe it was Thrice. Gone was the raw energy, the thrashing, and...well...its more obvious now than it was then, but all the cliched lyrics. But if you look a little deeper, you see a polished, solid album. All the way through, its brilliant. There's so much depth, and such a great sound. I just couldn't get over how refined everything sounded, including Dustin's voice, compared to their older efforts. Its a whole new Thrice, but its Thrice done right. Very seldom do these sort of bands get to complete their visions and get everything exactly how they want it, but they did. I can't recommend a specific track, but just go pick up the CD as soon as you can.

This particular edition includes a nicely done (and somewhat thick) accompanying booklet with some extras in it, including information about the making of each song on the album. And along with the special case, is worth the extra money if you're into collecting or just...knowing as much about Thrice and this album as possible. It was well worth the little bit extra for me (it was only a couple more dollars when I got it).

Has anyone who rated this album one or two stars on the basis of it being "emo crap" ever even listened to emo, or this cd? Emo for me is represented by acoustic groups such as Dashboard Confessional, punk-ish bands like Brand New and Hawthorne Heights, etc. Thrice was never truly punk, although it does seem to be influenced by post hardcore. The guitar riffs are pure metal, hard, well defined, and extremely well played. Perhaps fans try too hard to clearly categorize their favorite bands. Vheissu has no relation to 3 and four chord punk music, as it is far more sophisticated and progressive. Elements of ambient, metal, and progressive rock styles combine to form one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard. The quality is so far above that of emo and punk, it is simple blasphemy to label them as such. When I first heard this album, I knew I had never heard anything similar. Even the gap in quality between Vheissu and Artist in the Ambulance is large. I love Artist, but it is not nearly as original and experimental as Vheissu. Religious and political themes give the album depth, and I appreciate them even though I am myself an atheist. It shows that the artists in this band are serious about what they write. I believe people's main, secret problem with Vheissu is that it is intellectual. It is unlike the stereotype fans had attached to Thrice. It is unlike anything I have ever heard, at times soft and orchestral, at others hard edged and angry, but always honest and original. Perhaps the progressive nature of the music is abhorrent to faithful metal and punk audiences alike, but I would argue that any lover of music should at least appreciate the talent and creativity that is Thrice.