What do you get when combining the intricate guitar work of say a band like Meshuggah, the stage antics of someone like GG Allin, and punk rock mixed with metalcore? You get The Dillinger Escape Plan and they are next on the chopping block. Now this is a band that I hadn’t really listened to that much and it’s not because I disliked them or anything it’s just that I never got around to listening. So here we go……….
Calculating Infinity- well let’s see for a band that seems to be rooted in hardcore and hardcore punk, this album definitely has a lot of time signatures and changes to it. I mean it’s angry yet intricate all at the same time and yes it is all over the place but in such a good way. One thing to note is that Dimitri Minakakis handles the vocals on this album. I have no choice but to give this album 9.5/10
Standouts: *#.., Clip the Apex…Accept Instruction, 4th Grade Dropout
Irony Is A Dead Scene- now I typically don’t review EP’s but for this one I’ll make an exception. This one which came out between the first and second album features none other than Mike Patton on vocals. This is a badass EP and you can really tell the direction that the band wanted to go in with this. It’s a perfect bridge between albums and I kind of wish more bands who are changing their vocalist would do things like this. It’s just a fun little EP that they did and it really shows Mike Patton’s vocal range. I give it a 9/10
Standouts: Pig Latin, Come to Daddy
Miss Machine- I had heard so much about this album when it came out. Like almost everyone who I knew that liked this kind of music went on and on about this album. Again I’m not sure why I didn’t check it out and go see them live. I heard that the shows for this album were pretty chaotic and wild. This alb7m would be the first to have Greg Puciato on vocals and he is a fantastic vocalist. Here the songs seem to be more grounded and not all spastic and all over the place. It’s a great follow up however, that wild energy is felt more on the first album. Either way, great album and I give it 9/10
Standouts: Highway Robbery, Baby’s First Coffin, The Perfect Design
Ire Works- so with this, the band clearly has not gone back to their roots entirely but rather continue the sound that made their last album so successful. Personally I like this new direction that they are going in. While it’s not as intense as say Miss Machine or Calculating Infinity, it’s still got that fire. One thing to note is that Brent Hinds from Mastodon guest vocals on the song Horse Hunter. Some of the more unfavorable reviews for this album said there was a ton of filler on this and I didn’t find that much. Yes it’s a little different but different in a good way. I give this 9/10
Standouts: Milk Lizard, Horse Hunter, Mouth of Ghosts
Option Paralysis- to say that this is a continuation of Ire Works would be wrong. Now to say that if you put Ire Works and Miss Machine together and throw in some of the first album, would be more accurate. I feel like some of that intensity is present. I don’t know, I don’t think these guys can make a bad album there are just some that are better than others. This album they really seemed focused here and it’s also their longest album clocking in at 41 minutes. I give this 9/10
Standouts: Endless Endings, Good Neighbor, Room Full Of Eyes
One of Us is the Killer- ok so this is another one of those albums I kept on hearing about not only from friends but from online reviews from say Loudwire and Revolver. And again why I didn’t check this album out when it came out is beyond me. My only excuse is that I just was into other bands at the time. But as they say you live and you learn. Anyway, from start to finish, this is a great album. I mean if you’re going to start listening to this band then definitely start here. It captures everything that makes this band great. The music has that raw energy and yet has that melodic harsh vocals that Greg does so well. I have no choice but to give this album 10/10.
Standouts: Crossburner, Hero of the Soviet Union, Prancer
Dissociation- here we are at the final album. I must say that for a final album, these guys definitely going out with a bang. I mean I feel like at this point they are only getting bigger. Anyway as far as the album is concerned, they really did put out a great final record. Is it as good as the previous record though? You know I’m going to say it’s almost right on par with it. I think personally I prefer the last album. I mean this record just so diverse as far as Dillinger albums go which is why I have no choice but to give this 9.5/10. I mean what else can I give it?
Standouts: Wanting Not So Much to as To, Surrogate, Apologies Not Included
Well let’s see there are a lot of bands who I regret not seeing and this one has just been added to that list. Had they continued with their original singer, then I feel like the would’ve been written off as just another metalcore band with nothing to offer. It was until they got Greg in the band where they started going places. Hopefully they will reunite and do a few one off shows. And yes ranking these is going to be tough.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- One of Us Is The Killer
- Dissociation
- Irony Is A Dead Scene
- Ire Works
- Miss Machine
- Option Paralysis
- Calculating Infinity
Sinister Reviews 