History Music / Starset

In the time frame of the releases of ''Transmissions'' and ''Vessels'', a novel based on the narrative surrounding the band was released under the name of [[Literature/TheProxTransmissions "The PROX Transmissions"]]. A year or so later, the band collaborated with [[Creator/MarvelComics Marvel]] to release a graphic novel adaptation. It was also around this time that the band had signed a deal with ''Fearless Records''.

* 2016 - Literature/{{The PROX Transmissions}}

** "Everglow" the last track of ''Vessels'' is a rather soft bass driven track at the end of a rather heavy rock album that sounds like it belongs more on an EDM or Trance album until about halfway in where it goes Metal out of seemingly nowhere letting this song cover from a 4 to an almost 8 on the scale before diving into an almost fantasy movie soundtrack.

* IAmBecomingSong: Well, ''un''becoming. Seeing as it takes places between "Bringing it Down", a song regarding the realization that the narrator's partner is much more sinister than he realized, and "Monster", a song regarding the narrator as he becomes the titular monster seemingly as part of his revenge against his abusive partner, "Unbecoming" can be seen as part of that process of the narrator taking in the realization and noting that something is indeed happening to him... For worse.

* AudienceParticipation: The band is very supportive this and is part of the reason why they call concerts "demonstrations".

* MusicalisInterruptus: It may be a real life example but, various demonstrations, especially the early ones, have often suffered through this due to various things like the visual display not working, the microphones not working, or accidentally tripping the venue fire alarm due to a lot of fog from the stage setup.

** The band, aside from Bates, performs wearing illuminated space masks and oxygen tanks.

** Alongside the above, it is also explained that the band is part of a larger group known as the Starset Society and have been enlisted by said group in order to help spread the message.

** ''DIVISIONS'' & ''HORIZONS'': The future has shifted into one of a dystopia. A neural lace known as the Brain Machine Interface (BMI) becomes a significant factor in this timeline; originally developed by the United States as a method of advantage in cyber warfare. Its purpose was to gain surveillance over those who obtain the BMI, looking into minds as a way to uncover secrets. However, BMI technology was eventually acquired by a state known as the New East and was utilized against the US, eventually thrusting the former into the position of a global superpower. After a failed attempt to attack the New East, the US and associated allies surrendered themselves and became the New West. New West citzens were given the option to (and were eventually forced to comply to) have their own BMI implantations. While it can be summarized as being like a smartphone of the future, it also allowed the common person to experience whatever they want and replay their memories... All the while the government kept tight surveillance and control. Rebellion is on the rise in this future... Alongside various attempts to make this future come quicker by invading the present.

** Sometimes the band members themselves take part in the videos as the actual characters. As an example, the videos for "Halo" and "Carnivore" includes lead singer Dustin as a depicted character; taking on a seemingly major role in the former while performing both as a character and as himself simultaneously in brief parts of the latter.

* CuteMachines: The robot worker protagonist of the music video for "Back to The Earth". Many viewers have noted that the robot looks similar to the titular character from ''WesternAnimation/WallE''. This trope can be applied to the Echo Unit as seen in the music video for "ECHO".

* FateWorseThanDeath: Supplication. Anyone caught offending the laws of the New West/New East will have their [=BMIs=] force them into a prison within their own minds, leaving their actual body unresponsive and still. It seems like the only way to escape this is for the person's BMI to run out of battery if they've already been supplicated (as seen in the music video for "WHERE THE SKIES END") or to have their BMI removed in some way if they haven't.

* RoboticReveal: In the music video of "Ricochet", [[spoiler: the protagonist having failed to properly resurrect his wife - his most successful attempt being an EmptyShell - commits suicide on her tombstone. It turns out that he's a robot and his "wife" was actually his owner]].

** What happens to those who challenge the system can be seen in the videos for "MANIFEST" and "WHERE THE SKIES END"; Supplication leaves the individual with no control of their own body, leaving them still and unresponsive as their consciousness is sent into a mental prison with no escape.

In the time frame of the releases of ''Transmissions'' and ''Vessels'', a novel based on the narrative surrounding the band was released under the name of "The PROX Transmissions". A year or so later, the band collaborated with [[Creator/MarvelComics Marvel]] to release a graphic novel adaptation. It was also around this time that the band had signed a deal with ''Fearless Records''.

* 2016 - The PROX Transmissions

!!Tropes that apply to the band:

** One of the band's members [[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/1136647-starset-teases-marvel-graphic-novel described their albums]] as essentially being "soundtracks for sci-fi movies".

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: The settings of both timelines exist within the time frame of the 2030s and 2040s with the initial transmissions that started to story originating from 2047.

* RevengeBallad: "Monster" treads into this territory. With lyrics like "you though I'd forget but it's always in my head" and "I'll lift you up and then I'll let you go", it is evident that the narrator is willing to resort to this after his partner abused him to this point.

* SingingVoiceDissonance: Dustin Bates has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrpkkAw3wh4 much deeper talking voice]].

* DownerEnding: The music video for "TRIALS" has the male lead separated from the female lead and put unconscious after the two are caught using their [=BMIs=] to make love to each other.

** Bates often calls their music ''cinematic rock'', which isn't too far off considering the extensive hybrid genre name given above.

* RevengeBallad: "Monster" treads into this territory. With lyrics like "you though I'd forget but it's always in my head" and "I lift you up and then I let you go", it is evident that the narrator is willing to resort to this after his partner abused him to this point.

---> There are ''monsters'' in the sky
---> There are ''demons'' in the sea

---> And far below, the ''carnivores''
---> Are looking up to where I soar

--> I cannot stop this sickness taking over / It takes control and drags me into nowhere

--> I'd make you look / I'd make you lie / I'd take the coldness from your eyes\\
But you told me, if you love me / Let it die

---> What if you had the power to affect monumental change? Would you let fear consume or would you overcome?

---> Contemplating the real world leads to seeing the world for what it is: a prison. A cell for the mind, body and soul.

--> Who are you to change this world? Silly boy! No one needs to hear your words. Let it go.

--> Take my pain into you...

--> When you're backed against the wall\\

But you are not alone

-->One day the earth will open wide and I'll follow you inside\\
'Cause the only Hell I know is without you

--> '''Dustin:''' It used to be back in the day that our stuff would break. Now we're breaking the venue's stuff.

** For the ''DIVISIONS'' tour, they began donning wasteland scavenger costumes, although they still switch back to the spacesuits during the second half of concerts.

* RevolvingDoorBand: Almost completely averted. While several touring members have come and gone, the core band has not changed since 2013.

Left to Right: Adam Gilbert, Brock Richards, Zuzana Engererova, Dustin Bates, Siobhán Richards, Ron [=DeChant=], Cory Juba\\

** Sometimes the band members themselves take part in the videos as the actual characters. As an example, the video for "Halo" includes lead singer Dustin as a depicted character.

* MindRape: Supplication can play into this, indicated by a mind-machine interface turning red. As seen in the music videos for "WHERE THE SKIES END" and "THE BREACH", it ain't pretty.

* MetalScream: Occasionally used for punctuation, notably in "Down With the Fallen", "Frequency", "Everglow", "TELEKINETIC", "DEVOLUTION", and "SOMETHING WICKED".

* StopAndGo: "Everglow" from ''Vessels'' demonstrates this near its end, just before the whiplash transition from ambient sounding instrumentals into the heaviness of mental accompanied by a fitting scream.

The band has found significant mainstream success within the first year of their conception with their first and most popular single "My Demons"; charting before the band eventually signed a deal with ''Razor & Tie''. This would lead into the release of their debut album ''Transmissions'' in 2014. The album's release had garnered great reception from reviewers and fans alike, boasting praise due to their unique production alongside their use of orchestral elements. The release of their second albums, ''Vessels'', was just as successful, if not even more so with the single "Monster" being a commercial hit.

In the time frame of the releases of ''Transmissions'' and ''Vessels'', a novel based on the narrative surrounding the band was released under the name of "The PROX Transmissions". A few year or so later, the band collaborated with [[Creator/MarvelComics Marvel]] to release a graphic novel adaptation. It was also around this time that the band had signed a deal with ''Fearless Records''.

** In the context of Transmissions, it could be interpreted as the receiver of the distress call trying to reach out to the transmitter but to no avail.

--> I cannot stop this sickness taking over
--> Save me if I become [[TitleDrop my demons]]

* GriefSong: "Let It Die" is remarkably unsubtle about this. In the context of ''Transmissions'', it could be interpreted as the receiver of the distress call trying to reach out to the transmitter but to no avail.

** At the various venues they perform at, they often set up posters and symbols related to the narrative of the Starset universe. The symbols are for AugmentedReality purposed in which fans can use the band's phone app to scan and eventually display what the symbol holds. This also ties into AlternateRealityGame.

After the completion of MNQN, Dustin's more electronic-based solo project, 2019 saw the release of the band's third ''DIVISIONS'' and the resulting mixed reception. "MANIFEST", one of the album's singles, had seen [[StealthPun divisive]] criticisms stating that it was "too heavy" or "too poppy". Two years later, in 2021, ''HORIZONS'' was released; described as a sister album to ''DIVISIONS''.

[[https://starsetonline.com/ Starset]], stylized as ''STARSET'', is an American AlternativeRock/[[AlternativeMetal Metal]] band founded in 2013 by Dustin Bates. Their debut album, ''Transmissions'', was released in 2014, followed by ''Vessels'' in 2017, ''DIVISIONS'' in 2019, and ''HORIZONS'' in 2021.

Their band has been compared to the likes of Music/LinkinPark and Music/BreakingBenjamin.

There is an overall narrative behind all of the media they create. However, it isn't very easy to fully absorb since it's spread across many different mediums; their social media and a novel/graphic novel being a few examples.

* Siobhán Richards[[labelnote:Note]]Formerly Cronin[[/labelnote]] – violin, keyboards (2017–present)

* 2014 - ''Transmissions''
* 2017 - ''Vessels''
* 2019 - ''DIVISIONS''
* 2021 - ''HORIZONS''

* AudienceParticipationSong: "Down With the Fallen", "TRIALS", and "DEVOLUTION".
** This can also apply to any song on a given set due to Dustin's various unprompted cues towards the audience during the performance. However, they are much more minor in comparison due to the fact that they are unprompted and often rely on the audience both knowing the cues and the song lyrics.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/starset_peeps_but_rebel_garb_and_cory_isnt_here.jpg]]

From left to Right: Ron [=DeChant=], Siobhán Richards, Dustin Bates, Zuzana Engererova, Brock Richards, Adam Gilbert\\
Not Pictured: Cory Juba[[/labelnote]]]]
Starset is an American AlternativeRock/[[AlternativeMetal Metal]] band founded in 2013 by Dustin Bates. Their debut album, ''Transmissions'', was released in 2014, followed by ''Vessels'' in 2017, ''DIVISIONS'' in 2019, and ''HORIZONS'' in 2021.

* AlternateTimeline: Such is the result in the narrative timeframe between ''Vessels'' and ''DIVISIONS''.
** ''Transmissions'' & ''Vessels'': The corporate takeover of research regarding free energy alongside the emergence of the Everything Machine lead to a significant rise to unemployment, poverty, rioting, and eventually war. Human exploitation is commonplace with those in power easily taking hold of the majority of society with a firm grip. This eventually leads to an exodus to Prox, a planet whose orbit surrounds Bernard's Star and has been undergoing human colonization. This timeline is where the narrative begins and where the initial transmission from Thomas Bell and his AI companion Quasi initiates.
** ''DIVISIONS'' & ''HORIZONS'': The future has shifted into one of a dystopia. A neural lace known as the Brain Machine Interface (BMI) becomes a significant factor in this timeline; originally developed by the United States as a method of advantage in cyber warfare. Its purpose was to gain surveillance over those who obtain the BMI, looking into minds as a way to uncover secrets. However, BMI technology was eventually acquired by a state known as the New East and was utilized against the US, eventually thrusting the former into the position of a global superpower. After a failed attempt to attack the New East, the US and associated allies surrendered themselves and became the New West. New West citzens were given the option to (and were eventually forced to comply to) have their own BMI implantations. While it can be summarized as being like a smartphone of the future, it also allowed the common person to experience whatever they want and replay their memories... All the while the government kept tight surveillance and control. Rebellion is on the rise in this future... Alongside various attempts to make this future come quicker by invading the present.
* AlternateRealityGame: Since the beginning, a lot of the narrative has been revealed in this manner with the use of a phone app, different websites, encrypted codes, and various other methods.
* AudienceMonologue: Dustin gives one of these to the audience over halfway through "It Has Begun", when the track becomes purely instrumental. The main purpose of this is to explain where the band stands within the narrative alongside being a form of a HeroismMotiveSpeech. This is also part of the reason why they call their concerts "demonstrations".
--> '''Dustin:''' For those of you who aren't aware, we belong to a group called the Starset Society that's asking questions about science and technology and how it's affecting our lives now and in the near future; in ways exponential and in ways positive and negative. We are clearly pro-technology but we know that if we don't understand its effects socially, politically, economically, philosophically... We will find ourselves manipulated by a few. And if you think that your side is impervious to this, you will find that '''you are incorrect'''.
* AudienceParticipationSong: "Down With the Fallen", "TRIALS", and "DEVOLUTION".
** This can also apply to any song on a given set due to Dustin's various unprompted cues towards the audience during the performance. However, they are much more minor in comparison due to the fact that they are unprompted and often rely on the audience both knowing the cues and the song lyrics.

* AsceticAesthetic: The music video for "STRATOSPHERE".
* BeethovenWasAnAlienSpy: Nikola Tesla discovered the Signal long before Stephen Browning did, through a very messy Tesla coil setup. However, it never went anywhere because it wasn't profitable.

* ConceptVideo: A lot of the music videos present from the band often follow the narrative; whether it follows the Prox timeline, the BMI timeline, or complete side stories (like the ones for "Ricochet" and "Bringing it Down (Version 2.0)"). The only music video that the band performs in is the one for "Carnivore" from ''Transmissions''. Even then, they are only shown in small, short portions of the video.
** Sometimes the band members themselves take part in the videos as the actual characters. As an example, the video for "Halo" includes lead singer Dustin as a depicted character.
* CrapsackWorld: No matter what timeline, the future is painted in this manner. In one outcome, poverty and oppression are aplenty with war on the rise both on Earth itself and on Prox in the Bernard's Star system. In the other, a totalitarian government is able to control its citizens with the use of the [[LotusEaterMachine Brain Machine Interface]] and can easily put a person out of commission by trapping them within their minds if they fall out of line. [[SarcasmMode Fun!]]
* CuteMachines: The robot worker protagonist of the music video for "Back to The Earth". Many viewers have noted that the robot looks similar to the titular character from ''WesternAnimation/WallE''. This trope can be applied to the Echo Unit as seen in the music video for "ECHO".

* DisposableSexWorker: Played straight in the music video of "Ricochet". A widower attempting to resurrect his wife hires several prostitutes and kills them to clone his wife in their bodies.

* DownerEnding: The music video for "TRIALS" has the male lead separated from the female lead and put unconscious after the two are caught using their [=BMIs=] to make love to each other.

* FateWorseThanDeath: Supplication. Anyone caught offending the laws of the New West/New East will have their [=BMIs=] force them into a prison within their own minds, leaving their actual body unresponsive and still. It seems like the only way to escape this is for the person's BMI to run out of battery if they've already been supplicated (as seen in the music video for "WHERE THE SKIES END") or to have their BMI removed in some way if they haven't.

* HeroicSacrifice: In the music video for "THE BREACH", [[spoiler: the female lead switches seats with her child during their escape, resulting in her being Supplicated instead of him.]]
* InsistentTerminology: They consistently refer to their concerts as "demonstrations" due to their intent to make their performances immersive.

* LotusEaterMachine: The [=BMIs=] (Brain Machine Interface) within ''DIVISIONS'' and ''HORIZON'''s lore allow their users to experience whatever they want, whenever they want, resulting in a population that is completely subservient since they can just live in an ideal world in their minds and ignore everything else. Not everyone is happy with this, as the video for "THE BREACH" shows.

* MindRape: Supplication can play into this, indicated by a mind-machine interface turning red. As seen in the music videos for "WHERE THE SKIES END" and "THE BREACH", it ain't pretty.
* MusicalisInterruptus: It may be a real life example but, various demonstrations, especially the early ones, have often suffered through this due to various things like the visual display not working, the microphones not working, or accidentally tripping the venue fire alarm due to a lot of fog from the stage setup.
--> '''Dustin:''' It used to be back in the day that our stuff would break. Now we're breaking the venue's stuff.

* OminousMessageFromTheFuture: The primary theme of the band is focused on this.

* RevolvingDoorBand: Almost completely averted. While several touring members have come and gone, the core band has not changed since 2013.
* RoboticReveal: In the music video of "Ricochet", [[spoiler: the protagonist having failed to properly resurrect his wife - his most successful attempt being an EmptyShell - commits suicide on her tombstone. It turns out that he's a robot and his "wife" was actually his owner]].
* RobotOrSpacemanAlterEgo:
** The band, aside from Bates, performs wearing illuminated space masks and oxygen tanks.
** In their {{kayfabe}}, they claim that their music takes inspiration from warnings sent from the future, with the background narrative of their album ''Transmissions'' being based on both the forewarned future and the life of Thomas Bell (the one who sent the messages that started it all). The albums after ''Transmissions'' follow the same route but during different parts of the overall Starset narrative.
** Alongside the above, it is also explained that the band is part of a larger group known as the Starset Society and have been enlisted by said group in order to help spread the message.
** One of the band's members [[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/1136647-starset-teases-marvel-graphic-novel described their albums]] as essentially being "soundtracks for sci-fi movies".
** For the ''DIVISIONS'' tour, they began donning wasteland scavenger costumes, although they still switch back to the spacesuits during the second half of concerts.

* SingingVoiceDissonance: Dustin Bates has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrpkkAw3wh4 much deeper talking voice]].

We can change ''our fate.'' We can change ''the future.'' We can change ''the past.'' \\

But you are not alone\\

** Sometimes the band members themselves take part in the videos as the actual characters. As example, the video for "Halo" has lead singer Dustin play the role of Stephen Browning, the man who originally received the transmission from Prox.

* YouAreNotAlone: "Halo".
--> I can see you running, running\\
Every night from the same darkness\\
It's coming, coming\\

If you just say the word\\
I'll be there by your side\\
You make me more\\
You make me superhuman\\
And if you need me to\\
I will save you

* Siobhán Richards – violin, keyboards (2017–present)

There is lore behind all of the media they create, however it isn't very easy to fully absorb, since it's spread across many different places.

* CuteMachines: The robot worker protagonist of the music video for "Back to The Earth". Many viewers have noted that the robot looks similar to the titular character from ''WesternAnimation/WallE''. The same can be applied to the Echo Unit as seen in the music video for "ECHO".

* InsistentTerminology: They consistently refer to their concerts as "demonstrations".

* RobotOrSpacemanAlterEgo: The band, aside from Bates, performs wearing illuminated space masks and oxygen tanks. In their {{kayfabe}}, they claim that the lyrics were beamed down to them by aliens, with the theme of their album ''Transmissions'' being messages from the future beamed to the past. One of the band's members [[http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/1136647-starset-teases-marvel-graphic-novel described their albums]] as essentially being "soundtracks for sci-fi movies". For the ''DIVISIONS'' tour, they began donning wasteland scavenger costumes, although they still switch back to the spacesuits during the second half of concerts.

* CallBack: The chorus of "OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE" references both "My Demons" and "Monster". Considering the overarching story of ''DIVISIONS'' and the ideas of surveillance and control seen within the aforementioned songs, the references are very appropriate.
--> There are ''monsters'' in the sky
--> There are ''demons'' in the sea

* CoverVersion: In the deluxe version of ''Vessels'', there's a cover of "Love You To Death" by [[Music/TypeONegative Type O Negative]].