In 1999, a young rock band out of Irvine, California, was quietly changing the sound of underground music. That band, Thrice — made up of vocalist-guitarist Dustin Kensrue, multi-instrumentalist Teppei Teranishi, and brothers Eddie Breckenridge (bass) and Riley Breckenridge (drums) — has now reached a milestone few groups in their genre ever touch: 25 years, 12 records, and still pushing boundaries.

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Their journey began with a raw and fiery EP, First Impressions (1999), followed by their debut full-length Identity Crisis (2000). By the time The Illusion of Safety (2002) arrived, the band had built a cult following, packing shows across Southern California. Fans recall chaotic yet euphoric moments — teenagers moshing in upscale shopping centers, screaming lyrics that combined punk aggression with a melodic edge.

A bidding war between labels quickly followed, with Island Records ultimately securing the band. Their 2003 major-label debut, The Artist in the Ambulance, became a cornerstone of the post-hardcore movement, inspiring a generation of fans and musicians alike.

But instead of riding that wave safely, Thrice veered off the expected path. With 2005’s Vheissu, they embraced experimentation, weaving in keyboards, ambient textures, and unconventional structures. For some fans, it was confusing. For others, it was revolutionary.

“We just did what felt right to us,” drummer Riley Breckenridge told dailyglobaldiary “It’s always been about exploration and pushing ourselves. It would feel dishonest to abandon that.”

That spirit of exploration would define the band’s legacy. In 2007 and 2008, they released the ambitious Alchemy Index, a four-volume concept series inspired by the classical elements — Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Each volume carried its own sonic identity: Fire was fierce and distorted, Water leaned heavily into electronics, Air was atmospheric and weightless, and Earth tapped into folk and Americana traditions that Kensrue had begun exploring in his solo work (Please Come Home, 2007).

While Vheissu divided listeners upon release, the Alchemy Index cemented Thrice as a band unwilling to be boxed in. It also proved that they were willing to risk alienating fans in pursuit of honest artistry.

Fast-forward to today, and Thrice is preparing for the release of Horizons/West, out October 3. The record blends their early intensity with the mature, layered songwriting they’ve honed over decades. It’s a reminder that the band hasn’t lost its fire — it’s just burning in new and unexpected ways.

For frontman Dustin Kensrue, the future might not only be about albums and tours. He has expressed interest in exploring the world of film and television scoring, a path that other genre-defining artists like Trent Reznor and Jonny Greenwood have followed with success. “There are still musical itches we want to scratch,” Kensrue admitted. “Scoring for film or TV feels like a natural step.”

Despite the passage of time and the changes in the music industry, Thrice has held onto their core ethos: honesty, experimentation, and passion. For many, that’s why the band is finally being recognized not just as a post-hardcore staple, but as one of the most resilient and innovative rock bands of their era.

As fans celebrate 25 years of Thrice, the message is clear: sometimes the bands that take the biggest risks are the ones that endure the longest. And for Thrice, the best may still be ahead.