Tremonti - Dust

Tremonti is Mark Tremonti's band who was probably more well known for being in Creed and more recently lead guitarist in Alter Bridge. Both Creed and Alter Bridge were and in Alter Bridge's case are huge success stories. Such is the talent of Mark Tremonti it is like anything he touches turns to gold.  This is more of a flashback review as I eagerly await Tremonti's next album "A Dying Machine" which is out later this year (2018). 

"Dust" itself was released in 2016. It is quite an appropriate title in a funny sort of way when you know the background to its recording. "Dust" is Tremonti's third album which was actually recorded at the same time as second album "Cauterize". So since "Cauterize" was released first, "Dust" was left to gather dust while he promoted his second album. Note here that I am 99 percent sure this is not the reason it was called Dust. :-P Interestingly the albums do have a similar feel and the songs on each vary in style. Mark actually has said that he had a load of songs and divided them up between the two albums. Making sure the quality is spread through both of the albums. And one is not seen as the weaker album or a B-sides album.

Did this work though?  Personally I would say I am not really in a position to answer that question at the moment. I have listened to parts of "Cauterize" and their debut album "All I was". And while their are some great songs on each. My main focus has been on "Dust" and I have yet to listen to the other albums on repeat listen in full yet. I think you can see where this review is heading now though. I am thouroughly enjoying listening to "Dust". It is a wonderful album. This time last year I would never have thought I'd be listening to this sort of music but my music taste is beginning to expand more and more in terms of what genres I am listening to. 

In terms of genre this album fits into the heavy metal genre. I know a lot of people and I would include my old my old self in that category, that thought heavy metal was just screeming, really loud and just generally unpleasent listening. Yes there are bands like that out there. But Tremonti is not one of those bands. Yes they have songs which are aggressive, can be shouty angry lyrics and really heavy guitars. But it is totally listenable. And if you have had a busy day its the perfect album for destressing. But the thing is as well, some of the songs here are lighter, maybe not melodic but more anthemic.  Title track "Dust" is the perfect example of this and is my favourite track off the album. "Tore My Heart Out" and "Unable to see" also a bit lighter and also great tracks. Just to clear things up, when I say these are lighter they would probably still come under the hard rock catagory, just not quite metal.

Heavier moments on the album include "Once Dead", "Betray me" and "My Last Mistake" which opens the album. It really does send out a statement. But I think the main thing what this album shows off is Mark's great voice. It does surprise me he hasn't appeared more on vocals duty in other bands he is in or has been in. But I suppose when you hear how good a guitarist he is you can understand why in other bands people just want him to play guitar. Given how talented a guitarist Mark is you would have thought this album would be just guitar solo after guirar solo. And don't get me wrong there is a few on here, for example on "The Cage", "Unable to See" and "Tore My Heart Out". But it is great how is focused on the songs as a whole rather than just putting in loads of guitar solos because he can if you know what I mean. He still does it but he doesn't go overboard with it is what I am trying to say.

Overall this is a really great album and Tremonti along with Avenged Sevenfold really have opened the door for me in terms of listening to more metal music. I think "Dust" is a great entry point in discovering Tremonti and I look forward to getting more into his other 2 albums. But only after I am done with this one which could take a while.