A year apart divides “Cauterize” and the follow up “Dust” which was always going to be the case as we found out last year reviewing the former. While it’s not a double album per say, stylistically and thematically it kind of is and what we have here with “Dust” is not so much a better album but just another great album by Tremonti.
Much like the first part of this back to back album duo “Cauterize”, the follow up “Dust” has a great mix of both modern alternative rock and big melodic choruses and the more heavier side of things with thrash and even a little hardcore. By no means is this a super heavy album but if you know what “Cauterize” brought then you will know what to expect here.
The interesting thing about many of the songs here is that they have fantastic intros that start the tracks off. From opener “My Last Mistake” with it’s thrashy riff to “Once Dead” which both contain anthemic choruses, Tremonti really know how to grab your attention right off the bat. Power metal is the name of the game in “The Cage” as the double kick drives the verses, it’s a really catchy song before briefly hitting into doom territory and then onto an adrenaline fueled guitar solo. One of the highlights of the album for sure!
Like “Cauterize” though, the album does slow down a bit in the second half, it’s more mellower but also darker in tone. The title track slows things down a touch while “Contrast” has a nice mix of heavy and lighter shades. “Tore My Heart Out” is the same again before we start hearing some more rockier tunes, “Catching Fire” is progressive in nature while at the same time swaying between modern alternative and thrash metal. “Never Wrong” is more classic rock in sound with just a tinge of southern rock to get you into a different mood, not too far from an Alter Bridge song to be honest. “Rising Storm” brings the heavy again with a foot stomper of a song and the album ends with something that could easily be found on a Creed album in “Unable To See”, again, Mark giving a throwback to some of his previous work here.
“Dust” is varied enough to interest fans of each style that is found here but Tremonti fans in general will definitely like the fact that it’s Tremonti’s trademark sound that makes this album both a melodic and heavy album. The follow up to “Cauterize” won’t disappoint here, it’s a solid album for sure.
TRACKLIST
My Last Mistake
The Cage
Once Dead
Dust
Betray Me
Tore My Heart Out
Catching Fire
Never Wrong
Rising Storm
Unable To See
