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.
Blood On The Sand
Thrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We kiss the hands of profiteers and their congressmen
But I've seen too much (of this fear and hate)
Yeah, I've had enough (and I'm not afraid)
To raise a shout, to make it clear
This has to end
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
And I'm sick of it, I’m so sick of this
We panic at the sight of different-colored skin
And we've got a plan to justify each mess we're in
But I've seen too much (of this fear and hate)
I've had enough (and I'm not afraid)
To take a stand, to make it right, this has to end
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
And there's a there's a gun in my hand, or there might as well be
And I'm sick of it, I’m so sick of this
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others' suffering
And I've felt its touch too many times and I've had enough
I've had enough
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
And there's a gun in your hand, or there might as well be
Are you sick of it, I’m so sick of this
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
There's a gun in your hand, or there's might as well be
Aren't you sick of it, I'm just sick of this
'Cause I'm sick, I'm sick of this
I'm so sick of this mess
Thrice's "Blood On The Sand" is a powerful political commentary on the state of the world today, particularly the United States' struggle with gun violence and racism. The lyrics depict a society that is blinded by fear and hate, one that refuses to see the humanity in people who are different from them. The opening lines of the song describe a society that chooses to follow the orders of those in power, even when it goes against their own interests. The singer of the song has had enough of this fear and hate, and he refuses to be a part of it any longer. He is willing to take a stand and make a change so that society can move forward.
The chorus of the song paints a vivid picture of the violence that plagues our society. The blood on the sand and in the streets is a direct reference to the lives lost due to gun violence. The line "there's a gun in my hand, or there might as well be" is particularly chilling, as it speaks to the sense of powerlessness that many people feel in the face of such violence. The song acknowledges that fear is a powerful force in our society, but it also suggests that we have the ability to overcome it. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus, underscoring the urgency of the message.
Overall, "Blood On The Sand" is a powerful and timely song that speaks to the need for change in our society. It's a call to action for anyone who is sick of the violence and hate that seem to be tearing us apart.
Line by Line Meaning
We wave our flags, we swallow fear like medicine
We cling to nationalism and accept fear as a normal part of our lives.
We kiss the hands of profiteers and their congressmen
We show reverence to those in power, regardless of their ethics or intentions.
But I've seen too much (of this fear and hate)
The singer has witnessed excessive fear and hatred in their society.
Yeah, I've had enough (and I'm not afraid)
The artist has reached a breaking point and is no longer willing to tolerate the current state of affairs.
To raise a shout, to make it clear
This has to end
The artist is calling for action to bring about change and end the current state of affairs.
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
And there's a there's a gun in my hand, or there might as well be
And I'm sick of it, I’m so sick of this
The violence and fear in the singer's society has become oppressive and intolerable, and they are tired of it.
We panic at the sight of different-colored skin
And we've got a plan to justify each mess we're in
The singer's society is plagued by racism and prejudice, and those in power use tactics to justify their actions and decisions.
To take a stand, to make it right, this has to end
The artist is committed to taking action to bring about change and end the current state of affairs once and for all.
Fear will kill your mind and steal your love as sure as anything
Fear will rob you blind and make you numb to others' suffering
And I've felt its touch too many times and I've had enough
I've had enough
The artist has experienced the psychological effects of living in an oppressive and fearful society, and they are fed up with it.
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
And there's a gun in your hand, or there might as well be
Are you sick of it, I’m so sick of this
The artist is addressing the listener directly, asking if they are also tired of the violence and fear in their society.
There's blood on the sand, there's blood in the street
There's a gun in your hand, or there's might as well be
Aren't you sick of it, I'm just sick of this
'Cause I'm sick, I'm sick of this
I'm so sick of this mess
The singer is imploring the listener to join them in their call for change and expressing their own frustration with the current state of affairs.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TEPPEI TERANISHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DividedWarrior
Thank you for the support through the years, Thrice. I have listened since I was 10 years old.
... I have suffered the true wrath of this system's malice. Never broke any laws. Never stole. Never threatened. Never owned a weapon.
In October 2016 I was attacked in a small town by corrupt police officers. They aggressed tazers and threw me to the ground for complying. All 3 gang members got on top of me and crushed my spine until I suffocated. I am now 24 years old and I can no longer walk. Permanently disabled for life.
The swearing at the end of this song is powerful. Thanks for sharing the pain.
-John Ross
@NullGamingXYZ
Just when the world seems like it's going to shit my shepherds return to guide me through yet another chapter in my life. Thanks for the last 15 years. Here's to 15 more.
@whokilledzekeiddon
+Null (Option) Amen to that, my friend. Amen to that.
@TreF68
+Null (Option) you hit the nail on the head.
@Aubrodizzle
+Null (Option) FOR REAL THOUGH.
@BeahmProductions
There is something different about Thrice fans. It's cool to see the undying support for Thrice.
@creepitreal666
+Ty Beahm After how much Thrice has changed their style, they've gained and lost a lot of fans. Those that stuck by them the whole time are my favourite people.
@MrRandalFlagg
Oh yeah? PLAY DEADBOLT.
jk, jk
@NathanPhelpsMcPhelpsius
+Michał Zajch I just listen to Identity Crisis and THe Illusion of Safety and pretend that nothing in the world happened after that
@MrRandalFlagg
+Nathan Phelps Well I can't really make you not do that, right? Thx for the info. :v
@NathanPhelpsMcPhelpsius
+Michał Zajch making jokes. Torn between Vheissu and Beggars as favorites