Thrice get conceptual

Thrice have completed work on their four-part concept album The Alchemy Index.

The album was originally recorded as a series of four mini-albums representing an element of nature: earth, air, fire and water.

"The idea is basically to reflect each element through the music, whether it be sonically or lyrically," frontman Dustin Kensrue tells Kerrang!. "I just sort of stumbled across the idea. Once it had popped into my head I couldn't get it out. I kept thinking about it more and more and tried to figure out different ways in which to make it work. What really grabbed me about it was that it seemed like the perfect project for our band to undertake. Having come from a heavier background but at the same time having an interest in all different types of music meant that we were able to do this."

Kensrue warns fans that The Alchemy Index is the sound of the band breaking free of the post-hardcore genre.

"I think some of our fans may be surprised by how stripped down some of the songs are," he admits. "With 24 songs I think you've got a little bit of room to play with songs that may not necessarily make most records.

"I think it's definitely another step forward from our last album Vheissu, but at the same time, we're stepping in four different directions," he adds. "We wanted to change it up and get heavier, while sounding a little deeper and fuller. There's also pianos and some clarinets going on. It's easily the most ambitious thing we've done. I think it'll surprise a lot of people!"

The Alchemy Index: Vols I & II - Fire & Water will be released on October 15 through Vagrant. Vols III & IV will be released next spring.