Starset's "Carnivore" Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into

There's something ominous about rock outfit Starset's "Carnivore"...and I think it turns me on. I'm moved from various angles. Delicious move to start with a little orchestral bass strings. But don't get too comfortable with that arrangement. Drums and guitar round the bend to kick your butt's butt before you even know what's coming over you. If you're going to delve into a little science fiction uneasiness you've got to have in your grasp a vocalist who brings it when the chips are on the line. Dustin Bates plays that role well. Starset has been classified as cinematic rock. Can you deny them the title with the swirls of production value penetrating each rise and fall of the harmonies. Apparently changing the world's one of those impossible bets where the deck's already stacked in your favor before you sit down at the poker table. Dustin warns the young that they can't change the world, that nobody wants to hear their words. The chorus doesn't leave anything to the imagination. Dustin basically asks the carnivore to swallow him whole. Talk about throwing in the towel and sticking the fork in yourself before the coffin lid has a chance to shut. The principle behind the band's Starset Society lies with posing the question "What if you had the power to effect monumental change?" The meaty guitar hooks convey the big imagination behind that question. Drum wise enough power packed in to grab, maintain, and reorient your attention. As a unit these guys do earn their cinematic rock stripes. You need only add popcorn and Twizzlers to obtain the full Starset experience. The underground den of hopelessness they've transported us to reverberates mightily. No chord progressions forget to bring purpose along for the ride. Upon opening listen you aren't sure what voyage you're buying into but you'd like to think it was and will continue to be time and money well spent. Adam Gilbert works up a full gratifying sweat behind the kit. The music's the message and Starset's drives him to amp up his intensity level. Brock Richards puts the meat in this carnivore cacophony by going for the jugular at picture perfect moments. The state of Ohio has reason to rejoice. Some hometown hunks are threatening to make good as rock seeking to bring originality back into the lexicon of music language. At least the concept, the sub-genre, and the marketing pasted together to launch this puppy are unique. You know how programmers shudder to steer away from formula if formula brings cash to the operation. Carnivore brings meat to the slaughter but doesn't leave you the rock audience stuck with the off-putting stringy grizzle in your teeth. This clever diversion from the rank and file rock offerings leaves me craving a second act to this drama. Dustin has the emotional heft to pull off future greatness with his hands tied behind his back.