Dust by Talashar: A Raw, Unfiltered Punch to the Ears (2016)
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Talashar’s Dust isn’t here to hold your hand or whisper sweet nothings in your ear. This self-released rock beast from 2016 is raw, unapologetic, and hits like a rusty crowbar to the skull. If you’re looking for polished pop-rock nonsense, turn back now. But if you want something that feels alive, messy, and real, then strap in.
First off, let’s talk about “The Bridge To The Stars.” Damn, this track sticks with you like gum on a hot sidewalk. It starts slow, almost teasing you, but then BAM—it explodes into this chaotic wall of sound that grabs you by the throat. The guitars are crunchy as hell, and the vocals? They’re not perfect, but that’s what makes it work. There’s grit there, man. Like Talashar doesn’t give a damn about impressing anyone—they just wanna rip your face off emotionally. You can practically hear the sweat dripping off the strings. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna drive too fast at midnight with the windows down.
Then there’s “Hymn To Dust,” which slams you right in the chest without warning. The opening riff alone is nasty enough to make your neighbors call the cops. And when the drums kick in? Forget it—you’re done for. What I love most about this track is how unrelenting it feels. No chill. No mercy. Just pure, aggressive energy pouring out of every note. By the time it ends, you’ll feel like you’ve been through a tornado—and weirdly, you’ll want more.
Sure, the production isn’t exactly studio-perfect, but honestly? That’s part of its charm. This album wasn’t made for some soulless label execs; it was made for people who live and breathe rock music. Tracks like “Aurora Borealis” and “Tower Of Silence” keep the momentum going, though they don’t quite hit the same gut-punch level as the two standouts above. Still, they show off Talashar’s knack for crafting tunes that are equal parts haunting and heavy.
So yeah, Dust ain’t gonna win any Grammys, and frankly, I doubt Talashar gives a crap. This album exists because it had to—because someone needed to scream these songs into existence. And maybe that’s why it works so well. Listening to it feels like eavesdropping on someone’s private battle cry.
Here’s the kicker though: after blasting this record on repeat, I couldn’t help but wonder… Why aren’t more bands doing shit like this anymore? Not everything has to be glossy and Instagram-ready. Sometimes, all we need is a little dirt under our nails—and Dust delivers plenty of that.
