Tremonti Kicks Up Some Impressive Dust

Quite a weighty musical lineage got us from Creed to Alter Bridge to Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti's outfit, the aptly titled Tremonti. The latter's new "Dust" probes existentialism in a way Scott Stapp likely would approve of. The opening guitar riffs possess a self-assured sting that manages to sound like it just came out of the dryer waiting to be tossed onto the bed for that cathartic sleep many of us hope for. Garrett Whitlock lays down some mean drum work that's equal to the heaviness of Mark Tremonti's lyrical shadings. Mark's implying what I bet every person who has ever passed through Earth has considered at least once in their lives...the biggest battle we wage happens to be with ourselves, the men and women in the mirror. If I was to describe an adjective that best sums up "Dust" that would be "smokey". The notes burn long and without a trace of survivors. Mark has assembled an intricate tapestry of deep thoughts that gets you to look up from your mobile phones and pay attention to the activities circling around you. I respect how Mark's lyrics drive the point home without being anything other than passionate. Mark wants to know what the reason for a fast fade was. He wonders if lack of love ends up being the culprit. We're not sure who Mark's cussing out but the truth is eons more painful than fiction. "The whole damn thing has turned to dust. The ashes you left to bury us." Not exactly material for the faint of heart. For sure I haven't heard guitar chords shift in quite the manner the opening frame does. Mark's voice doesn't let his listeners get off the hook so easily. His aches transfer to our bodies and we writhe in agony. For the most part the chords are of the major persuasion. Lucky thing too since coupling this material with minor chords could easily make one sick to his stomach if it penetrates too deeply. Nice pause between the first and second guitar chords, too. That ups the already laser sharp high drama. The drums don't even become a factor until close to the 1:00 mark. Maybe that's Mark's way of inching us through the shallow water before nudging us into the deep end. Another pause comes up which doesn't release its hold until the 1:20 mark. This time it's a vocal pause so Mark can catch his breath long enough to reassert the cosmic presence he's throwing down. This song eclipses 5 minutes for a darned good reason. Mark's got quite a bit of baggage to get off his chest and that requires time to stretch out in the control room. Eddie Van Halen's gritty playing son Wolfgang shows off his bass skills and also proves the apple was bound not to fall far from the tree. Wolf's got something on dear old Dad...the knack for being a threat in two bands. What this kid will end up accomplishing by age 30 is tantalizing to mull over. Eric Friedman puts the menace into his duties on lead guitar. Creed did have a solid spiritual bent to it. Tremonti has picked up that ball and run with it resoundingly. The hairs in back crawl. The teeth in skull chatter. If you only get one chance to own the mike stand, make it count. Of course Tremonti has had numerous turns in that capacity so don't think it doesn't excel at maximizing the chances it has gotten. "Dust" smolders feverishly. These aren't your average bunnies under the bed. These babies strike repeatedly so you remember who slapped you up side the head.