Artist: Drist

Title: Biter Halo

Label: Spunout Records

By Adam Bowman

After lineup changes and a signing to Spunout Records, Drist returns to the spotlight with "Bitter Halo," their debut album for their new home. Focusing on more contemporary arrangements and easier-to-swallow melodies, Dirst still maintains a rocking aspect to their work.

Juxtaposed with Kyle Freeze's complex rhythms, guitarist Josh Stinson runs with slightly-more-old school style guitar work, leading to tracks like "Girl Icarus" and "Isn't It Something," which carries an energetic vibe that still doesn't lose the feeling of effort that a lot of mainstream rock songs are guilty of.

Drist is more than capable of busting out from one extreme to the next, however, as "Undercarriage" showcases their faster, funk-metal side, while "Surfacing," despite the tempo craziness, is seductive enough to warrant getting close to someone.

While Tyson's vocal effects may eventually wear on some, a listen to the entire album is essentially warranted by the talent of the band as a whole. Drist takes the accepted form of mainstream rock and places their own recognizable spin on it, which is definitely a promising and refreshing turn of events.