Review: Dystopian Rockers STARSET Return with Long-Awaited, Fifth Studio Album, SILOS

September 11, 2025 BearlySinister 0 All Posts,

Artist: STARSET
Album: SILOS
Label: Fearless Records

STARSET is a band that is synonymous with science and sci-fi, since the release of their debut album, Transmissions in mid-2014. Everywhere you went, you couldn’t escape the infectious nature of their debut single, “My Demons,” which has amassed over a billion plays across streaming platforms. With each release, they find a way to push the boundaries of their sound and reinvent themselves in ways that few bands have the ability to do. With four studio albums under their belts, it was time to try something much different for the next one. After the release of vocalist, Dustin Bates, newest novel A Brief History of the Future and a renegotiated contract with Fearless Records, they were ready to tackle the future. Henceforth, the band would release singles in a “drip” style format, where they would join artists like them dropping singles every couple of months. While this was a perplexing idea to fans, it was all in the interest of building what came next. So came the release of the first of those singles, “BRAVE NEW WORLD,” which boasted a much more aggressive sound than fans had been used to. It was a refreshing addition to the band’s catalogue, displaying a more cinematic edge while a bit simpler in its composition. A fitting title for the start of something new, a rebirth for a band who is constantly shifting their sound to go against the grain, rather than fit the narrative. What followed was a series of equally aggressive songs. After the release of a total of 6 new songs and 2 covers, the band finally revealed to the world that, what started as a concept for an EP, had grown into a full-fledged album both due to fan demand and to set up the narrative for the next chapter for the band. Thus, SILOS, the monumental fifth studio album from the OH rockers was born.

While most of the songs have been heard in the form of singles, there are 2 new additions: SWAY and AD ASTRA, which we will get into a little later in the review. The addition of an intro track and a total of 5 interlude tracks may have some fans fearing that it’s all filler… but rest-assured, they are anything but. While, of course, you can listen to the full-fledged songs and the 2 covers on their own, it is the way in which these are put together on the album that makes it so special. Consider each interlude the bookend to each chapter in this story. While Horizons dove into a dystopian theme, it would appear that SILOS seeks to bridge the gap in between what has been and what will be. This album is themed around the decay of society and the themes surrounding its decline. The introduction of AI, the fascination with being glued to our screens, love and loss are all explored here. For example, “TokSik” is so named as a jab towards the dependence on TikTok, which can be a great tool for engagement but also has its dark pitfalls. Doom-scrolling, being one of those. This song (like most on this release) is very much direct in its message, which aligns the dependence on that of a cult. This track also features the very first pseudo-rap vocal from Bates, in the history of the band, which adds to its delivery. It also plays off the toxicity of religion and social media, in general. If you got a chance to catch them on their AE03 acoustic tour, you’ll have gotten the chance to hear this one acoustically, which is a very interesting arrangement for a song with such a aggressive sound. “Dystopia,” is centered around the decay of society, systemically. We are desensitized by the media, gaslit into believing everything is okay, while all around us, the world beneath us is caving in. Rather than taking responsibility for our actions and standing up for what we know is right, we turn to blaming others, to avoid placing that blame on ourselves. “SWAY,” is a much more melodic track and much more in the vein of “classic” Starset style. Bates has been well-known for his delivery of powerful hooks and soaring choruses and, while none of the tracks on this album are devoid of those, I think SWAY has one of the most poignant examples of this, along with AD ASTRA. This track comes in with a heavy synth intro before the full band kicks in and an ethereal chant in the background. This song is about resilience and love in the face of adversity, while stepping into a new territory. Facing fear head-on, while running from everything that they ever knew. Metaphorically, the song is referencing dancing through the darkness and that seems to be where the title comes in. This track would fit perfectly, thematically, within Horizons but in terms of story, it’s about two, as-of-yet named characters who are facing the new challenges that lie ahead on Prox. I think one of the most interesting things, in terms of this song, is that there is a faded-out guitar solo toward the end that fades directly into “the antihero’s journey.” Ironically, this track has an almost gothic feel to it, dark and eerie yet cinematic and beautiful. This makes one feel as though they’re falling through space. “AD ASTRA,” thematically is about finding the beauty through the darkness. AD ASTRA translates to “to the stars” and the added “infinitum” in the chorus translates to “to the stars and beyond.” A reminder to those who feel lost, to always reach for the stars, no matter how far you’re knocked down. From the dust of the stars we were born and to the beauty of the stars we are destined. Undoubtedly, if they seek to play this one live, it will become a fan favorite much like “Die for You,” and “Echo” in the same cinematic vein.

No matter what era of STARSET that you’ve been introduced into: It is clear that SILOS is the best example of what all of them sound like, even introducing aspects of Bates’ electronic side-project, MNQN, in the form of “dark things.” If you’re here for the lore, dive deep into the lyrics, because they will surely play a crucial part when the 3rd novel is released soon. If you’re here for that cinematic escape you can only get through their spacy, sci-fi rock soundscape, there’s plenty here for you. If you’re searching inward or just need to get out some aggression, all of that is here as well. Whatever you come for, know you will stay with each and every song on SILOS. While this is the beginning of a new chapter, it’s also just the beginning for one of rock’s most prominent bands in today’s scene. SILOS is out digitally on September 12th, through Fearless Records, and physically on January 9th, 2026. You can find links to pre-save/pre-order below and be on the lookout, as the band undoubtedly has some demonstrations planned for the coming months.

Pre-save/Pre-Order SILOS