The demise of one band sometimes makes room for a project that is bigger and better. And that’s exactly what’s happened here. Cue Dearist, a five-piece from Wolverhampton, who are made up of some ex-Kyoto Drive members and are already making a big impression within the scene. Signed to Close To Home Records, these guys have sparked interest and have received praise from Geoff Rickly and Touché Amoré frontman Jeremy Bolm. And now, with ‘This House Has No Windows’, Dearist are looking to carry on fuelling this fire that they’ve lit.
And it’s here, upon hearing the first few chords of ‘Genocide’, that you understand just why Dearist have drummed up so much intrigue. ‘Genocide’ contains riffs that are of the dreamy, shoegaze variety but beneath that, they still hold plenty of raw bite. ‘Fix’ is huge, opening with a flurry of powerful drum work, while ‘Blemish’ slowly builds the tempo; they layer gritty riffs upon a solid bass line, creating a haunting atmosphere.
‘Fake’ kicks off with emotionally-wrought lyrics of “Am I nothing in your eyes?” and it’s here that vocalist Adam Binder truly shines. Throughout the course of this album, his vocals have been a highlight, but ‘Fix’ sees him reach new levels. The way he delivers his vocals are raw and animalistic, whilst containing a hint of desperation as though he’s struggling to convey what it is he’s feeling.
Then there’s ‘Leecher’, which simply explodes with dominating power; the riffs are frenetic and frenzied and the hooks are deliciously catchy. It’s bold, vibrant, and exhilarating – a perfect combination. ‘Something Unreal’ offers a brief respite from the whirlwind. It’s a slow, but dark and powerful interlude, with delayed guitars and an ethereal ambience about it. A quick, acoustic rendition greets listeners at the end of ‘What You Want’, which merely showcases just how compelling his vocals are.
While listening to ‘This House Has No Windows’, it’s difficult to believe that this album is the first from Dearist. It’s an accomplished and confident release, one that will really put Dearist on the map. Keep an eye on this dynamic quintet – they’re going to be huge.
JESS TAGLIANI