Since their formation Greater Manchester`s IST IST have built up a formidable reputation and following through hard graft and constant touring. Indeed, i`ve seen them live three times and they have increased the size of the venue and audience each time. ‘DAGGER’ is the quartet`s fifth full-length studio album and those of us who caught them at the end of last year got a preview of a couple of the tracks included on this latest release.
The album opens with `I Am the Fear` a stunning earworm of a number to lead us in on with its pounding drums, throbbing bass line, guitar riffs, and swirling synths with an almost intimidating menacing vocal delivery. I read that `Makes No Difference` is largely about lust and desire, the forbidden apple.It kind of rolls along with a dreamy almost detached or disassociated vocalisation and is wonderfully alluring.
`Warning Signs` was written from a place of regret. It’s about confronting the pain of being without the one who grounded you and understanding too late that love requires vulnerability. It`s fast paced with vocals that do betray that hint of remorse and regret. There was a reflective meditative texture to `Burning` which to me had a psychedelic slow burn vibe.
`The Echo` has an almost cinematic expansive feel with what appears to be a reflection on maybe a relationship that has soured and almost melds into `Encouragement` which has a fairly long teasing rhythmic instrumental intro before we enjoy vocals that have a kind of carpe diem or seize the day perception.
`I Remember Everything` is another almost dreamlike detached consideration on times gone by and past associations while the melodious `Obligations` which I read wanted to capture the feeling of being bound to someone who represents both your salvation and your undoing had me drifting off into thoughts of my own.
`Song for Someone` had an eastern or east Asian tranquil mystical ambience to it with absorbed thoughtful lyrical content shared atop. The album closes with `Ambition` which has an uplifting disposition and aura and eases us out on an encouraging and inspiring note.
Ist Ist up to now seem to have had an almost cult like following but it really feels as if this is about to change.
A new album `Dagger`, a fifteen date tour of Europe planned for March, a couple of dates in Ireland with eight dates in the UK in April before a headlining show at the Albert Hall in their hometown at the beginning of May.
After a decade of hard slog, toil, grind, and struggle, it looks like Ist Ist may finally be reaping the rewards of their hard work and there`s no band more deserving in my opinion.
Catch them at an intimate venue near you, while you still can !!
Rating 9/10
