Thousand Below Delivers Their Best Album Yet With ‘Buried In Jade’

California based post-hardcore band Thousand Below have returned with their fourth studio album, in ‘Buried In Jade’. This marks their first full release since 2022’s ‘Hell Finds You Everywhere’. This record dives into a lot of what already makes this band stand out and feel authentic amongst the climate of metalcore and post-hardcore. Personal lyrics, huge melodies, and breakdowns to deliver just as well. 

The record starts off strong with a bang in one of the recent singles, with “Kerosene”. The song feels pretty signature in what we’d expect from this band, but at their best I feel like. The chorus is such a standout, and it really makes its mark nicely at the start of the album. Shoutout to the lead guitar on this track by guitarist Josh Thomas, because the leads really back up the melody and vibe of the song (especially during the chorus). The bridge of this is also pretty killer to listen to, and this just makes for a huge start to the album.

We keep up the energy with another one of the singles, with “Palace of Dread”. I really appreciate how djent-y the riffs have been feeling so far on this album, it suits them quite well and what they’re trying to accomplish. The melody driven riff during the already catchy chorus works so great as well in a track like this. The breakdown feels pretty solid as well, and it makes for a worthy track two on this record.

We follow up with yet another single, but on the softer side with “Save Me”. I appreciate this one being more melody focused, it feels right at home for them and also exploring slightly new territory. Vocalist James Deberg especially sounds great on a song like this, where his voice is in the mid range for most of it before hitting a higher register by the end. I also wanna shoutout lø spirit’s feature, their and James’ voices so really well together and compliment each other pretty nicely. 

We pick it up a bit with the very first single from this record from over a year ago, with “SHAKE”. This is one of the tracks that feels very Bad Omens coded, both instrumentally and vocally. I think James does a great job, as per usual, with hitting the falsetto during this track. The breakdown delivers once again, and this makes for what feels like a great live track for them.

We reach the first non-single of the record, with “The Quiet and Cold”. It starts off with a memorable riff, that feels both heavy and melodic and it hits hard. The verses feel very pop-inspired, and mix well with a chorus that feels both catchy and consistent as it comes by. That breakdown comes in like a freight train, and somehow feels right at home as it’s melody driven as well. It all makes for another highlight off the record so far.

The pop vibes continue on even further with “Los Angeles”. This song reminds of something Too Close to Touch would throw on one of their albums back in the day. The chorus is very pretty to listen to, and the electronic elements throughout really back up this song incredibly well. The full band coming in at the end with the sampled chorus feels pretty earned, and I appreciate a song like this being in the middle of this record. 

The second half of this record picks up with possibly the best song on this album, with “The Way Down”. It plays on that signature Thousand Below sound once again, but it feels like the best version of them and a song like this. The chorus is huge, one of the best on here and maybe of their discography. I definitely feel this should’ve been a single personally after listening more than once. The breakdown hits once again, as James sounds brutal delivering these lyrics.

We follow up with the second single from this record that came out last year also, with “Wrong Again”. It touches once again on that octane type of sound, which isn’t seen a whole lot on this record. I do feel they infuse their own style into songs like these, and that’s why they stand out. The delivery of these lyrics by James feels elegant, yet raw and genuine as I’m hearing them. I’m surprised this wasn’t a big song for them, as it feels like one that would do well in a radio setting.

The big rock vibes are continued onto the next track, with “Feel It End”. I feel this song has a good mix of melodic and heavy once again, and the chorus feels huge as expected. I appreciate they didn’t go the predictable route and have a breakdown during the bridge. They instead let the song ride and flow pretty naturally. The drums are a standout here, by drummer Max Santoro, as he sounds great on the record as a whole.

We start off a pretty huge three-run track to end the record, beginning with “Royal Effect”. The electronic elements on this stand out once again, and feel well placed in another signature sounding song from this band. It’s got such a beautiful chorus, that blends well with some of the heavy moments that surround it. It’s also got one of the better breakdowns on the album, as it makes me think this should be a staple live song for them going forward.

We reach the penultimate track in a more intimate, acoustic track with “Michelle’s Song”. The authentic acoustic guitar here gives off slight country vibes to start with. This is a truly beautiful song from start to finish, and it also feels the best lyrically since it’s the most personal track on the album. It’s easy for a song like this to feel cheesy, but this comes off softly and well sung by James yet again. “Would you want me to love again?” is such a line that is simple, yet sums up this song beautifully. Losing a loved one is never easy, and this song feels well placed on the record and delivers the message perfectly.

We reach the end of this record with the title track, as this last three track run feels so seamless. This one feels like such a truly purposeful, and earned type of closing track. It feels non-traditional, yet it’s such an experience to hear to cap off this album. James’ screams and the delivery yet again feels raw and powerful. And when the full band comes in, it’s truly quite the reward for the listener. It’s such a wonderful closing song, and I’m happy they decided on this one and the previous track to end this record.

Four albums in, I feel Thousand Below have found the best version of this band in ‘Buried In Jade’. It feels like a massive step up from the previous record, and that they amplified everything that made them special even more than ever. This album has some of their best material to date, and they continue to deliver with flying colors once again.