In 2000, Thrice signed with Sub City Records and released two LP's. The first, Identity Crisis (2000), only received 1.5 stars in the AMG review and little buzz. The second, The Illusion of Safety (2002), was widely acclaimed and received attention from major record labels. Even though Thrice's music has always included metal influences, The Illusion of Safety contained a heavier metalcore sound. The album was recorded in Beltsville, Maryland and the track The Beltsville Crucible reflects this.
In 2003 Thrice signed up with Island Records and released The Artist in the Ambulance, which featured more metal oriented songs while keeping true to their hardcore influences. In 2005 a DVD outlining their entire career to date was released under the title If We Could Only See Us Now. It included a CD with live tracks from the Apple Store and various b-sides.
Thrice released their fourth full-length album, Vheissu, on October 18, 2005. The album was characterized by many critics as being experimentally different, using non-traditional Thrice elements in the process. From keyboard melodies ("For Miles") to Japanese music-box undertones ("Music Box") to chain gang chant choruses ("The Earth Will Shake"), Vheissu introduced a new sound to the band's post-hardcore roots. UK producer Steve Osborne, whose past credits include many Brit-pop hits, was sought by Thrice to gain a new perspective on the songwriting process, enabling the band to expand their musical influences and produce a different album. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim and peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200.
The band releasedRed Sky, an EP comprised of various b-sides as well as live recordings, shortly after Vheissu.
Thrice released the first and second volume of The Alchemy Index, a highly experimental project based on the four traditional elements (fire, water, earth, and air), on October 16th 2007. Over the summer Thrice parted ways with Island records and signed with Vagrant. The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II - Fire & Water was released on October 16, 2007, and sold 28,000 copies in its first week. The album consists of the first two volumes, Fire and Water, and features 12 songs, 6 on each disk. The third and fourth volumes, Air & Earth were released on April 15, 2008.
The "Fire" disc features the heavier post-hardcore sound traditional Thrice fans will quickly embrace, harking back to their pre-Vheissu albums. The "Water" disc, however, is comprised of ambient songs similar to those found in Vheissu, Thrice's previous album release. The "Air" disc brings a whole new element of electronic elements and delayed guitar riffs to Thrice's sound. In "Earth", much like Dustin Kensrue's solo album, "Please Come Home", Thrice introduces an indie-folk sound combining intricate piano and acoustic guitar.
Thrice's sixth studio album Beggars was released digitally through Vagrant Records in the UK on August 9, 2009 and in the US on August 11 with a physical release containing bonus material pencilled in for September 15. These dates deviate from the original proposed release date of October 13 because of a leak via Vagrant Records web player, which has meant the artwork for the album has also changed. The first single to be taken from the album is All the World Is Mad and was first made available through Guitar Hero: World Tour on July 23.
Dustin Kensrue has described the album as being "more visceral and more raw - both in the songwriting and in the overall sound. It moves with a different energy than any of our past records. It was born out of us playing together in a room, almost as a backlash to the giant headgame that was The Alchemy Index" and has been well received critically.
The seventh studio album Major/Minor came out on September 20, 2011 through Vagrant Records. Yellow Belly, Promises and a few other songs were made available for the listeners to stream online before the release date. The album received extremely positive reviews from many online websites. Alex Djaferis of Absolutepunk.net gave Major/Minor a rating of 95%. Tracks like Promises and Listen Through Me reflected a natural progression from the sound Thrice created in Beggars, which was widely appreciated by the early listeners.
Thrice decided to take a break from being a full time band on November 21, 2011. In late spring/early summer Thrice announced the 'Farewell' tour for the spring/summer of 2012 , which would be the bands final tour before going into an indefinite hiatus.
In early 2015 it was announced that the band intends to release new music and tour again. Announcements were done via the bands website http://www.thrice.net/ and social media outlets with an accompanying picture with "Thrice 2015" text.
Black Honey
Thrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want honey on my table
I keep swinging my hand through a swarm of bees 'cause I
I want honey on my table
But I never get it right
No, I never get it right
I keep swinging my hand through a swarm of bees
I can't understand why they're stinging me
But I'll do what I want
I'll do what I please
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
I'll rip and smash through the hornet's nest
Do you understand I deserve the best?
Till you do what I want
I'll do what I please
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
I try to stick this pin through a butterfly 'cause I
I like all the pretty colors
It just fell apart, so I flung it in the fire
To burn with all the others
'Cause I never get it right
No, I never get it right
I keep swinging my hand through a swarm of bees
I can't understand why they're stinging me
But I'll do what I want
I'll do what I please
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
I'll rip and smash through the hornet's nest
Do you understand I deserve the best?
Till you do what I want
I'll do what I please
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
This time, I'll get it right
This time, I'll get it right
It's gonna be this time, I'll get it right
God, let it be this time I get it right
So I'm cutting that branch off the cherry tree
Singing, "This will be my victory,"
Then I see them coming after me
And they're following me across the sea
And now they're stinging my friends and my family
And I don't know why this is happening
But I'll do what I want
I'll do what I please
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
I keep swinging my hand through a swarm of bees 'cause I
I want honey on my table
The lyrics of Thrice's song "Black Honey" are an allegory of the quest for fulfillment and the cost of selfishness. The repeated motif of the singer reaching for honey from a swarm of bees highlights his desire for sweetness and abundance, but also his recklessness and lack of regard for the danger and chaos he causes. The line "I can't understand why they're stinging me" suggests that the singer is oblivious to the consequences of his actions and the harm he inflicts on himself and others.
The chorus "But I'll do what I want, I'll do what I please, I'll do it again till I've got what I need" reinforces the theme of selfishness, as the singer prioritizes his own satisfaction over the well-being and safety of others. The line "Do you understand I deserve the best" reveals his entitlement and sense of privilege, which drive him to destroy anything that stands in the way of his desires.
The second half of the song introduces a shift in perspective, as the singer realizes that his actions have consequences that extend beyond himself. The lines "See them coming after me and they're following me across the sea" suggest that the consequences of his recklessness have caught up with him and are now affecting those close to him. The final plea to God for guidance and redemption indicates a sense of remorse and a desire for change, but the haunting repetition of "I want honey on my table" suggests that the singer's selfish impulses are not easily overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep swinging my hand through a swarm of bees 'cause I
I am willing to take risks and face the danger of getting stung by bees just to get what I want, which is honey on my table.
I want honey on my table
Having honey on my table represents my desire for the sweet things in life that bring me comfort and pleasure.
But I never get it right
Despite my continuous efforts, I have not been successful in achieving my goals or fulfilling my desires.
I can't understand why they're stinging me
I am confused and frustrated as to why my actions are causing me harm or difficulties.
But I'll do what I want
Despite the consequences or risks, I am determined to pursue my own desires and goals.
I'll do what I please
I refuse to be held back or restrained by anyone or anything and will do whatever I want without any regard for others.
I'll do it again till I've got what I need
I will keep trying until I achieve what I desire, no matter how many times I fail or how many obstacles I encounter.
Do you understand I deserve the best?
I believe that I am entitled to the best things in life and will stop at nothing to attain them, regardless of the cost or impact on others.
I try to stick this pin through a butterfly 'cause I
I am willing to harm or destroy something beautiful just to satisfy my own curiosity or desire.
I like all the pretty colors
Despite my destructive tendencies, I am still drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing and visually attractive.
It just fell apart, so I flung it in the fire
When I am unable to achieve what I want or experience disappointment, I react impulsively and often destroy or discard what I was pursuing.
This time, I'll get it right
Despite my previous failures, I still hold onto the belief and hope that I can eventually achieve my goals and desires.
God, let it be this time I get it right
I am pleading to a higher power or force to help me achieve what I desire and finally succeed in my endeavors.
So I'm cutting that branch off the cherry tree
I am willing to take bold and drastic actions to achieve my goals, even if it means damaging or destroying something else in the process.
Singing, 'This will be my victory,'
I am optimistic and confident that my actions will lead to success and that my desires will finally be fulfilled.
See them coming after me
My actions have consequences and are causing harm or difficulties for me and those around me.
And they're following me across the sea
The repercussions of my actions are far-reaching and have consequences that extend beyond my immediate surroundings.
And now they're stinging my friends and my family
My pursuit of my own desires and goals is causing harm or distress to those closest to me.
Don't know why this is happening
I am unable to recognize or understand the consequences of my actions or the impact they have on others.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Dustin Michael Kensrue, Edward Carrington Breckenridge, James Riley Breckenridge, Teppei Teranishi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind