ROCK3MUSIC.COM
After recently experiencing a menacing and fiery live performance at an Adust gig, I was keen to give the band a second listen and get my hands on a copy of their mini album.
Released on the Easy Peasy Records label, this 6 track collection is a stunning recording which demonstrates Adust as a hardcore band that possess a high level of musicianship and the ability to create haunting and multifaceted music in its highest form. Rob's lead vocals are quirkily distinctive, particularly in parts where he changes from a low to high pitch, with an interestingly unorthodox way of emphasising and pronouncing certain lyrics. This is something that listeners will instantly notice and either really gel with or not quite understand. The timing of the band as a unit is incredibly tight, and the musical layering and breakdowns and changes in the music are elements that instantly stand out upon listening.
The lyricism on the album clearly mirrors the mood and atmosphere of the music, which will appeal to listeners appreciative of the art of sophisticated song writing. Encapsulating great depth and it seems personal heartfelt experience as well as strong political messages about the destruction, ignorance and selfishness of war, this collection will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the listener.
A particular highlight on the album is the stunning Prinzessin, which not only has beautiful and emotive lyrics, but a perfectly crafted musical arrangement with some good changes and breakdowns throughout. The biggest appeal of Prinzessin is the way it is structured, opening with clean guitar strokes in the intro, to give it a power ballad feel, and building up further to explode into a wall of sound, quickly followed by a speedy change in tempo to pick up the pace even more, not to mention the epic and highly melodic chorus featuring Dave on vocals. This is likely to be a definite lighters out in the crowd moment when performed at an Adust gig.
Another standout track is the heart wrenching Forevermore, which lyrically appears to be a deeply personal and cathartic creation, bringing the album to a poignant and thought provoking climax. It's not easy to base a decision on whether or not you will like this band purely on hearing the album because after seeing them live, they display themselves in a completely different light. Adust have real fire in their bellies but experiencing their live performance is when the true magnitude of the band emerges. Although the lyrics are often very cutting and weigh heavily on the emotions, Adust are not a doom and gloom band and their live performance shows that. Visually, they are one of the bounciest and energetic bunch of performers on stage imaginable and a band whose reputation is likely to swell as one of the most exciting underground bands on the live circuit over the next twelve months.
Full track listings are:
1) Emnity
2) The Fall of Man
3) Prinzessin
4) Elegy
5) Blinded by Ignorance
6) Forevermore
ChopMusic.co.uk
Adust - Through Anothers Eyes
Following the band's explosive recent performance at MadHouse how do they compare on CD?
- Enmity. Short intro. Air raid siren/blitz sample leads into enormous statement of intent riff.
- The Fall Of Man. Savage opening riff and accompanying scream. Song sets out as a chunky thrasher with barked extreme metal vocals. Riff is gently mutated and there are subtle tempo changes galore. Overall style of the main body of the song is blackened thrash meets technical metal. After a momentary pause the song's closing section is unleashed, a bruising doom-laden riff generating immense power and menace. The kick drumming is used sparingly but to crushing effect. Quality opener; brutal yet complex, well produced and mixed.
- Prinzessin. Minimalist, understated opening leads into a powerful riff. Tempo increases to mid-paced thrash speed whilst retaining a Maiden-esque sense of melody.Vocals in the chorus are surprisingly melodic but work well. The faster and slower sections interchange seamlessly, another top song with excellent dynamics.
- Elegy. Short link track, basically an eery spoken intro.
- Blinded By Ignorance. Another very powerful opening riff. Vocals are again less extreme/more accessible dependant on which way you want to look at it! Main riff is relentless, driven along by the subtle changes in drum patterns and basswork. Overall feel of this song is somewhere between vintage Arch Enemy and recent Thus Defiled. Unusual time signatures in bridge section. Another well structured and performed track
- Forevermore. Quieter opening precedes colossal riff. Then the onslaught really starts! Simplistically it's a blackened thrash track with loads of subtle tempo changes.Not much more to add to previous comments, this is a well played extreme track and worthy CD closer.
This CD will almost prepare you for the full savagery that they unleash live. Well produced and executed, I urge fans of thrash, death and general technical/extreme genres to check this band out. A vicious and highly entertaining release.
Dimstar Media
Adust – (Metal / Rock / Progressive)
Adust are a fantastic 5 piece band from Birmgham. They have recently released their debut mini album which is called "Through Another's Eyes" (by the way if you have a copy kicking around guys you know who to send it to lol)
The band list their influences as, Metallica, Slayer, Killswitch Engage, Pantera, and you can clearly here these influences in their music, even in the opening song on their myspace page 'Forevermore'. The song has a Metallica style opening nice and long with a mellow riff building up to the mighty crunching chugging riff that sets the rest of the song flowing, the verse is reminiscent of Slayer fast founding drums and an unrelenting guitar sound that just wants to crush your skull with every note played.
I love the vocals on this band, they have so many different styles which fit each song, there is a black metal style of vocal almost Satyricon'ish, there is then the melodic parts which always compliment their songs greatly, the Tom Araya style thrashy vocals and also there is a hint of death metal in there, but they fit the style of music they are playing in such a great way, it is very rare to hear a band use so many vocal styles in their work and this is very refreshing, in a way it makes each song a great journey as it is broken up in the different styles they use. A great example of this would be the second track on their page the 7 minute opus called 'The Fall Of Man' quite simply an awesome track.
Not having the pleasure of ever seeing Adust play live, going by their sound I can only assume that they are one hell of a force to be reckoned with on stage. The energy and passion of their music will be a great great thing to see live, so if any of you live in Birmingham check them out when they play, and that people is an order…..
Check them out here.
www.myspace.com/adustband
Reviewed by Simon (dimstar media) – 8/10
DarkStar Promotions
ADUST
Through Anothers Eyes
(Easypeasy)
Rob Pease Vocals
Dave Cox Guitars/Vocals
Guy Jones Guitar
Matt Simpson Bass
Danny Biddlle Drums
Birmingham's new Metal heroes have burst into the world's Metal maelstrom with their debut mini album. Every so often a debut album comes along that is a total gem. Most debut albums and demo cd's will contain 1 song or part of a song that has potential, the rest gets lost in a heap of sameness, lack of imagination and musicianship. ADUST have broken this mould (thank God) with a very high level of musicianship with every song being unique, brilliantly written, brutal in it's delivery and you are left wanting to hear more from this band.
Through Anothers Eyes is an indiscriminate onslaught on your ears and paints an apocalyptic landscape in your minds eye taking you on a journey not to the Wizard of Oz. The album is a mastery of composition and musicianship, full of haunting guitar melody's and vocals intricately intertwined with the pulsating beats. Oh and just for taste the power of a nuclear explosion.
Enmity Musical intro for World War 3 and the impending carnage that will ensue.
Fall of Man Full of brutal apocalyptic decimation, like Rambo shooting some poor bastard in the head with a 50cal machine gun right in front of your face. "The Horror"
Prinzessin Opens with a beautiful and gentle melody that is almost fragile. You are led into a sonic landscape full of haunting guitars and vocals, along with the bass and the drums this song just rips at your soul.
Elegy Whispering hints of melancholy
Blinded by Ignorance A menacing sledgehammer smashes into you face with mid tempo rhythmic precision with only harmonious vocals and guitar work to sooth your soul.
Forevermore You are emerged into the symphonic intro like ice cold water on your face in the blazing heat of the sun. That man Rambo shoots you in the head this time with his 50 cal whopper and a ghostly landscape is painted with the remains of your head, which is beautifully crafted with intricate melodies.
Well done ADUST
9.5/10
www.Chopmusic.co.uk
Adust. Had a larger following with them and I think the muffling effect of the crowd being much closer to the stage contributed to a much better sound. Like this band a lot. Play a savage hybrid of thrash/ modern prog/ technical metal. Aggressive guitar work teamed with snarled vocals underpinned with solid bass work and brutal drumkit abuse... just my cup of tea! Much of tonight's set was off the "Through Anothers Eyes" CD (thanks for the copy fellas, I have given it a quick skip play and will review it fully soon). The intro "Enmity" paved the way for their prolonged assault. "The Fall Of Man", "Prinzessin", "Blinded By Ignorance", "Slave New World" and "Forevermore" completed a vicious and hugely enjoyable set. Great live band, I look forward to seeing them again soon... and the good lady enjoyed your performance immensely too!
Killer DIEnamite Magazine
Formed in the fall of 2006, five piece Birmingham based metallers ADUST
set their sights on making their mark on the metal scene.
Driven by their love of heavy music and a desire to express their views,
Adust:- Rob Pease - Vocals, Dave Cox - Guitar, Guy Jones - Guitar, Danny Biddle - Drums, Matt Simpson - Bass
look to deliver juggernaut riffs, pounding rhythms and rumbling bass lines as can be heard on
their debut single ' Blinded by ignorance'
However in spite of the heaviness on display the band are keen to point out that there will be a strong melodic core to their music
"we aim to keep our music heavy but varied, you have to have the light with the shade" says guitarist Dave.
With an influence list including the likes of, Metallica, Pantera, killswitch Engage and Lamb of god,
you can expect to hear a perfect mix of new metal meets old school.
Adust are currently working on their mini album which they plan
to release later in the year and with a loyal fan base waiting in the wings
these are exciting times for this young band.
Vocallist Rob Adds "we are very excited with how the new songs are sounding
and look forward to taking them to the stage"
With any justice Adust should surpass the promise of any Birmingham metal band!
A definate must for your collection.
www.Chopmusic.co.uk (pt.2)
Adust. Since seeing them at MadHouse studios and hearing the new mini album I've been a big fan. The MadHouse gig was quality, tonight's performance was phenomenal. Stattos can obtain the setlist from my earlier review as they played the same set, albeit with a frightening level of swagger, professionalism and brutality. They play intricate and often long songs effortlessly well. The guitarists Guy and Dave were in fine form and churned out the riffs and solos relentlessly. The rhythm section of Matt on bass and Danny on drums were horrifyingly tight. Rob delivered his vocals suitably viciously and is a confident frontman. Not much more I can add really, other than great performance and looking forward to seeing you at the Actress & Bishop on 5th June. Keep playing gigs of this quality and you will quickly ascend the progressive/extreme metal ladder fellas.