Wrap Your Ears Around 'Limbo', The Solid Newie From Thornhill

Trust me, 'Limbo' is some good shit.

Many in the local Melbourne music scene will know Matt Van Dupen as the guitarist for local pop-punk acts, Set The Score and Better Half. Outside of his own bands, however, the guitarist puts down his instrument and dons a manager hat for fellow up and comers, Thornhill. Prior to the release of that band's previous single, the utterly massive track that was and is 'Temperer', Matt sent over to me their two at the time yet-to-be-released singles - the aforementioned 'Temperer' and the newly dropped 'Limbo'.

This was just before I spoke with the band's vocalist Jacob Charlton and guitarist Ethan McCann and honestly, I actually forgot that 'Limbo' even existed. Not that it's a bad song by any means - it's a fucking ripper of a tune, if I'm being honest - it had been months since I had initially received and heard the track at that point. But then, just yesterday, the punchy metalcore-inclined track was finally set free into the wide world.

Acting as the heavier brother to Thornhill's fellow 2017 single, 'Limbo' is a far more aggressive tune in terms of pacing, groove and its riffage, while also maintaining the band's newer found sense of melody and space that steers them into similar leagues as national heavyweights like Northlane or Karnivool. (Oh man, that one comment on the Triple J Unearthed Facebook regarding 'Temperer' where some random dude said that the song sounded like Refused still makes me chuckle). Much like its anthemic sibling, this blood-pumping piece also carries a thematic duality, on thinking of one's own societal worth ("I’m falling behind the latest/(you’re belated), I’m outdated") and in being trapped within an emotional hell ("Blank smiles, fake friends and all cold hands/Can't you see I’ve been waiting?"); which will resonate deeply with many others in my own generation of early 20-somethings.

The music video for 'Limbo' was directed by Kieran Ellis-Jones of Crystal Arrow Films notoriety and everything from the clip's edits, composition, added effects and aesthetic just screams to me a James Bond film intro cinematic. Just minus all of the Adele, of course. There also appears to be a subtle reference to Playdead's terrific 2010 indie game, Limbo, what with the clip's grey scale colour palette, silhouetted-like look. And if that was indeed intended, then nice one boys!

I have my fingers crossed that wider recognition and further love will come Thornhill's way in the rest of 2017 and onwards.

The real start for this band is right now, folks.

Photo credit: Ethan Zahorodnyj.

Catch Thornhill delivering both 'Limbo' and 'Temperer' (among a couple tracks from their 2016 EP, '13') when they tour with The Brave and Stepson next month on the East Coast. Dates below: 

Friday, September 15th - Melbourne, The Workers Club

Saturday, September 16th - Sydney, The Chillependale Hotel

Saturday, September 23rd - Brisbane, Crowbar