Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Thornhill - Heroine (2022)

As the alt-metalcore fan I am, it's hard to confess that I've barely given this band a listen despite a good amount of fans of a similar style loving this, and it can be tough putting to words how much I feel about a band in which I enjoy a couple of their songs a lot but an album I'm about to review might not be as perfect as them, though a very close call. Those two songs from The Dark Pool that were in my Revolution playlists are crazy good, but now I'm taking on a different album from this band...

I've noticed what an easily different journey Thornhill has taken in this album. They've boarded a new concept in the style and lyrics, heading into alt-metal territory in a similar yet less industrial manner to Northlane. I've enjoyed the majority of Heroine without letting my expectations run wild.

First up, "The Hellfire Club" has a title that could remind some of either Stranger Things or that Edguy album. Yet the music in this track is cinematic alt-metal that can easily fit in a Hollywood film soundtrack. "Leather Vibes" continues that vibe with metalcore elements. Then we soar through "Blue Velvet" with moody melody and vocal insanity. The incredible "Arkangel" is a throwback into 90s nostalgia, especially with its grungy sound. The outro has good drumming.

"Valentine" is slow and seducing with low bass guitar and high falsetto vocals. All of those aspects occur alongside good drum effects. "Casanova" is more recognizable as metalcore, and that I really like. So upbeat and worth dancing/moshing to. The chorus buildup is incredible! You can also hear a fantastic switch from a classic metal guitar solo to djent bass riffing. After all that heaviness, we have a beautiful intermission in "Something Terrible Came with the Rain". It slowly builds up into the same cinematic vibe as before, from guitars to synths then strings.

"Hollywood" returns to the 90s grungy nostalgia, this time mixed with 21-century Hollywood-like epic trailer-ish orchestra and 80s synths. I guess you can think of this as Deftones with more emphasis on djenty metalcore. Plus there's a breakdown with classic-sounding guitar! How much more can you mix?! "Raw" has dirtier-sounding synth, fun for dirty dancing in the moshpit. The end is near with "Varsity Hearts", sounding like an emo-ish classic. Then the final title track has cool classic-sounding harmonics.

Heroine is kind of a drug, a more legal and musical one compared to heroin. It's filled with inspiring poetry and sound! It would be boring for the band to stay with their original sound whether or not that's what fans want, so don't dismiss something that's different. Just listen and learn!

Favorites: "The Hellfire Club", "Blue Velvet", "Arkangel", "Casanova", "Hollywood", "Varsity Hearts"