Thornhill – BODIES: A Sonic Lightning Bolt That Demands to Be Felt

Review By Ian Walker

If there’s one thing Thornhill refuse to do, it’s stand still. With BODIES, their third studio album, Australia’s genre-bending heavyweights take a massive leap forward, shedding old constraints and embracing a raw, unfiltered energy that makes this their most immediate and explosive release to date. Out April 4th via UNFD, BODIES is not just an album—it’s an experience, crafted with reckless abandon and a fearless embrace of the moment.

After the conceptual intricacies of 2022’s Heroine—which was tight, cinematic, and meticulously designed—the band decided to take a different route this time. As they’ve put it, BODIES is less about crafting a narrative and more about capturing Thornhill as they are, right now. This record is visceral, electric, and packed with a palpable sense of urgency, cementing Thornhill’s reputation as one of the most forward-thinking heavy acts in the scene today.

Unleashing Chaos and Emotion

Right from the opener, “DIESEL”, BODIES establishes itself as a different kind of beast. At just over two minutes, this track is a full-throttle sprint into the abyss, with pummeling riffs and dynamic shifts that hit like a controlled explosion. It sets the tone perfectly—BODIES is not here to waste time.

The energy carries over into “Revolver”, a track that pulsates with a mix of thick grooves and haunting atmosphere. The band’s signature nuanced rock-meets-metalcore hybrid is in full force here, with vocalist Jacob Charlton delivering one of his most impassioned performances yet.

Then we arrive at “Silver Swarm”, one of the album’s early singles and an instant standout. Already racking up millions of streams, this track exemplifies BODIES’ ability to balance melody and brutality. It’s sweeping, cinematic, and crushing all at once, showcasing Thornhill’s knack for creating songs that feel larger than life.

“Only Ever You” follows with a darker, brooding energy, its ethereal verses giving way to a chorus that soars and devastates in equal measure. It’s Thornhill at their most emotionally charged, proving they can hit just as hard with melancholy as they do with pure aggression.

And then comes “Fall Into the Wind”—at just over a minute, it serves as a brief yet atmospheric interlude, offering a moment of eerie calm before BODIES kicks into high gear once again.

The Frenzy Continues

If there’s one track that encapsulates the chaotic and cathartic spirit of BODIES, it’s “TONGUES”. This track is an absolute juggernaut, with pummeling drums and jagged riffs that make it an instant pit-starter. There’s something refreshingly raw about how Charlton’s vocals cut through the madness, giving the track an almost primal energy.

Following up is “nerv”, another pre-released single that already made waves. This one thrives on a perfect balance of melody and aggression, with soaring hooks and crushing breakdowns that make it one of the most dynamic moments on the album.

“Obsession” delivers a hauntingly beautiful experience, blending dreamy, reverb-soaked guitars with an undercurrent of feral intensity. It’s a track that builds and builds, only to crash into a climactic finish that feels like drowning in sound and emotion all at once.

Then we get to “CRUSH”, a song that lives up to its name. Massive riffs, industrial-infused grooves, and hypnotic vocals make this track a head-spinning experience, and by this point in the album, it’s clear that Thornhill are playing by their own rules.

“Under the Knife” leans into a darker, more introspective sound, with Charlton’s vocals weaving between whispered tension and explosive catharsis. It’s brooding yet electrifying, a track that slowly pulls you in before hitting you like a tidal wave.

The Grand Finale

And then, BODIES closes with “For Now”, a track that feels like an epilogue and an open-ended question at the same time. There’s something achingly beautiful about it—like standing at the edge of the unknown, looking forward but unsure of what’s next. And in many ways, that’s exactly what this album is about: embracing the unknown, diving into the moment, and letting the chaos carry you forward.

Final Verdict: Thornhill at Their Most Unchained and Unapologetic

With BODIES, Thornhill have ripped up the script and rewritten it in real-time. Gone are the cinematic constraints and carefully measured compositions—in their place is something far more raw, immediate, and alive.

This album thrives in its unpredictability, never lingering too long in one place, yet always carrying the distinct Thornhill DNA that makes them such an exciting force in the heavy music world.

Fans who loved the grandeur of Heroine may initially find BODIES a little more chaotic, but that’s exactly the point. This record isn’t here to follow rules—it’s here to break them.

A lightning bolt of an album that refuses to be tamed, BODIES is Thornhill at their most immediate, untamed, and utterly exhilarating.

Tracklist:

1. DIESEL – 2:11
2. Revolver – 4:15
3. Silver Swarm – 4:34
4. Only Ever You – 4:15
5. Fall Into the Wind – 1:33
6. TONGUES – 2:52
7. Nerv – 3:13
8. Obsession – 3:18
9. CRUSH – 3:12
10. Under the Knife – 3:59
11. For Now – (Track length not provided)