23rd February 2025

Review: “Return To Dust” by Refiner

The tip of a metaphorical iceberg “Return To Dust” represents the first burnt offering from Refiner, in a year which Rottweiler Records have another EP slated for the summer and a full length record to finish the year for the project. A solo mission from multi instrumentalist, vocalist and producer Christopher Adam who hails from the west coast of Canada, there is the suspicion that a good proportion of the work has been completed before the news spread like a wildfire. After all the label, known for distributing Extreme Metal offerings, wouldn’t dare rush a vision of nightmarish perfection would they?

The first shot in anger comes with title track “Return to Dust” which offers a prayer to break the shackles and complications of modern life. Chemically enhanced by 90’s style electronics the heavy end Metalcore riffs give weight and gravity to the sound with Adam showcasing impressive vocal range. Caustic uncleans are at one end of the extreme and warm aching cleans are at the other, the choice to use these in phrasings rather than in a verse and chorus style an intriguing one. What makes it interesting is despite a bleak outer shell there is a strangely life affirming quality to the track. Then comes the rain as the chugging DJent fuelled “Not the End” batters the skull with wave after wave of sonic abrasions. Eerie synth touches create a chill that runs down the spine as Adam gets more and more demonic vocally, the track reaching and touching the void into Deathcore before its bitter end. Punchy rhythms keep the aggression rolling, the lyrics a call to remain strong in challenging times with a clenched fist. As a musician Adam as talent in all departments, clearly knowing what sounds good and how to put things together and while this isn’t doing anything fresh, the potential here is huge as the song writing gathers a head of steam [7/10]

Track Listing