CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS: Return To Dust in Madison, WI

Return To Dust

11/25/24 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI

©Justin Nuoffer/Nuoffermedia.com

The Los Angeles-based quartet, Return To Dust, has been busy this year. The young band has been on two major tours opening shows for Chevelle and most recently Sevendust. Now they are trekking across the US performing gigs on their first headlining tour. These quick stops focus on small venues and areas where they have already performed. Madison, WI was no exception. With a previous stop back in August, the word was out on the rockers. Outside of the Western-themed venue, High Noon Saloon, the cold weather didn’t deter anyone, and a line formed fairly early before the doors opened.  Slowly, as the line worked through security, the room covered in hardwood opened up. On the immediate left was the merch area that was already bustling. On the right were stairs up to the small balcony. Moving forward into the room a full-service bar was on the left covered in beer stickers and horseshoes. Straight ahead the well-worn wood stage stood about two feet off of the ground. Fans quickly lined up around the front edge.

The stage was jam-packed with gear. Along the back wall, the Return To Dust logo was projected onto a white screen. with London Hudson’s drum kit below it. Off to each side of his kit were two guitar cabs and a bass cab, tucked back as far as possible. The stage isn’t large, but it offers enough space to roam. This was a good old-fashioned rock show and room be damned. Guitarist Sebastian Gonzalez took the stage first followed by vocalist and guitarist Matt Beilawski. Finally, co-vocalist and bassist Graham Stanush jumped up onto the right side and plugged in quickly. Return To Dust is a refreshing take on something that has been around for thirty years, grunge and alternative rock. The sound and feel used to fill arenas and festivals, but has been stagnant for decades. However, this is a rebirth of a genre that never should’ve disappeared. These fresh-faced musicians have signed to Lava Records, a label that has broken a ton of artists. This night, though, was all about their 2024 independent release Belly Up.

Opening up with “Black Road,” the band jettisoned themselves into a gritty, dingy rock show. Many in the crowd were already head-banging and others were singing away to the lyrics. Return to Dust has no fear of unleashing harmonies and swapping lead vocals. It is eerily similar to how Alice in Chains always operates. The only difference would be the time to shred and unload tasty guitar licks seemingly out of nowhere. The band is pure energy. It flows freely from the stage and infects you. This notion blasts you in the face from the very first note of “Bad News”. This song and the following “Face Down” provide that “it” factor that makes this intimate show all that more special. They came to rock and kick your ass just for attending. The middle of the set carried that same intensity and attitude. The self-titled album track, “Belly Up,” is an anthem and probably the most unique of their recordings. Live, it holds up as a banger and maintains that rock edge with a bluesy underlining. By far their most watched video online resonated and stuck in your head with a catchy chorus and addictive vocal cadences.

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At one point Stanush even points out, “The beautiful thing about shows like this is we can play the entire album. That’s all we have.” Then promptly points out they have three songs left. The slower track, “Cellophane,” showed they can rip a straight-up rock song with ease. The patrons felt it too. Beilawski’s vocal delivery on the encore track “No Love” is something out of The Who’s catalog. So strong on the delivery and cuts right into your ear drums. The main riff is addictive, but Stanush and Hudson are the backbone of it. By laying down the rhythm to what is far and away their most popular track amongst the crowd it was memorable. Return To Dust put their obvious love of 90s hard rock and grunge out there for everyone to see. They delivered a compelling performance that makes you feel as though you witnessed them rising up from the ground floor of what is destined to become a very long career.

Setlist:
1. Black Road

2. Bad News

3. Face Down

4. Live Like This

5. Anyway I Die

6. About the World

7. Belly Up

8. New Religion

9. Strangers

10. Cellophane

11. When You Look at Me

Encore:
12. No Love