The rest of the band are far from upstaged, though. The guitars of Aled Evans and Rhys Wilcox soar across Help Myself, and Dream State’s musical backdrop feeds into the fact that it’s really hard to pin down this band’s sound. It can loosely be described as post-hardcore, but the quintet throw in elements of math-rock, metal and punk and impress at every point. Think an amalgamation of Bring Me The Horizon, Marmozets, Sleeping With Sirens and Underøath – this really is eclectic stuff.
CJ recently told K! that her band’s music “can be a voice for hurt people, in the same way that bands like Linkin Park and Slipknot were a voice for me.” In the same interview, the band spoke of an ambition to headline Download, and it’s that vision, and the way it’s executed throughout Recovery, that sets Dream State apart from the pack. The band’s music is vicious enough to draw in fans of their idols Slipknot, but equally, melody and accessibility radiate across Recovery’s five tracks without sounding stretched or forced.
Dream State have excelled themselves here. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to wake up and take notice of this band. This lot are a true force, and whatever’s next, you’ll want to be in on it.
Words: Jake Richardson
Recovery is available now via UNFD. Check it out on the stream below.