Made of some of the most iconic band members of the 21st century, supergroup L.S. Dunes concoct one of the most nostalgically melodic post-hardcore debut jewels to date, Past Lives.
It's a rare opportunity when some of the best cornerstones in the rock business team up together to form one of the best hybrid bands in the game now. Comprised of vocalist Anthony Green, guitarist Frank Iero, Frank Steever, bassist Tim Payne, and drummer Tucker Rule, the talented musicians have come together to produce their new record, Past Lives. L.S. Dunes, who formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, set out to make a bold, melodically abrasive experience that also explored themes of fearlessness, dependence, nonconformity, and impermanence.
"Grey Viens," another majestically harmonic experience, keeps the energy up for more instrumentally bouncy, meteoric numbers, "Like Forever." Overflowing with ariose vocal control and expansive instrumental flavor, L.S. Dunes channels every last inch of each member's influences, showing a refreshing but nostalgic post-hardcore energy we always wished we could hear from a supergroup such as this."
Brimming with lively experimental energy and a raw emotional presence, Past Lives takes the best of all these gifted musicians have to offer and places it in one high-octane experience.
From the beginning, Past Lives exceeds all expectations with a melodically intrepid experience, "2022." A passionate and melancholic first impression, "2022" is a solid introductory track that breeds into more fiery impassionate moments on the record.
"Grey Viens," another majestically harmonic experience, keeps the energy up for more instrumentally bouncy, meteoric numbers, "Like Forever." Overflowing with ariose vocal control and expansive instrumental flavor, L.S. Dunes channels every last inch of each member's influences, showing a refreshing but nostalgic post-hardcore energy we always wished we could hear from a supergroup such as this.
The records' increasingly intricate and wistful atmosphere is enhanced by "Past Lives" and "It Takes Time." Words cannot express how much Iero and Steever have complimented each other's guitar-playing styles alongside Green's emotionally raw vocal presence. Complimented by Payne and Rule's undeniable dynamic bass and percussive chemistry, the effortless flow that proceeds to manifest in each track is close to yesteryear perfection as you can get.
Another vivacious yet kinetic point of interest in Past Lives is the track highlight, "Grifter." With guitar lines that swing back and forth from agitated to vertiginously euphonious in one experience, the creative energy that continues to bleed throughout this record knows no limits.
The album concludes with two massively unrivaled instrumental and vocal centerpieces, "Perminent Rebellion" and the moody finale, "Sleep Cult." Beautifully showcasing the frenetically intoxicating and delicate sides of the band, L.S.Dunes brings the album to a gorgeous close.
Past Lives is more than just a burst of early 2000's vigor with dream legacy members concocting this experience. It's a compellingly layered gem built by skilled musicians that respect the post-hardcore genre from which it stems all the extra elements in between that have made them successful. While this is only the debut release of this holy grail of a band, it reveals that we can expect much more exciting things to come.