2008 Woodie Awards
'Ire Works' same old math equation
By: Mike Fuksman
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Lifeline
- Page 1 of 1
New Jersey mathcore band Dillinger Escape Plan has returned with a new exercise in brutality.
"Ire Works," their latest release, is a devastating amalgam of blastbeats, discordant guitars and throat-shredding vocals, all delivered with the mathematical precision Dillinger has come to be known for.
You see, DEP's tunes are like calculus problems. Calculus problems that can melt your face off.
Time signatures twist and jerk unexpectedly, but the band is as precise and calculated as ever. Riffs stop and start on a dime, and the drumming is technical and assured.
A few tunes deserve some special mention. The intro to "Lurch" is a mishmash of jazz-influenced noodling and wall-of-sound blastbeats, the signature of many DEP tunes.
DEP's electronic influence still is present as well, with distorted synth lines and buzzing electronic drums hidden behind the walls of distorted guitars and vocals on the tune "Sick On Sunday."
The heaviness is leavened a bit on the quieter songs "Dead As History" and "Mouth Of Ghosts," but for a band like DEP, that isn't saying much.
Even the ends of these tunes still are as devastating as anything else on the record.
The album features some interesting curiosities, like the Ozzy Osbourne-esque vocals on "Black Bubblegum."
The band isn't exactly known for their melodic sense, but there are some more accessible bits sprinkled throughout the album.
The end of "Mouth Of Ghosts" is downright catchy in parts.
As on some of their past releases, some guest musicians make an appearance on "Ire Works."
DEP's original vocalist, Dimitri Minakakis, makes an appearance, as well as Mastodon vocalist Brent Hinds. While it's hard to distinguish their contribution from main vocalist Greg Puciato, they do add at least a bit of a twist to a couple of songs.
The band has been around for about 10 years, which is like centuries in the underground metal/hardcore scene. But they show no signs of letting up or growing old.
"Ire Works" is as brutal and punishing as any other record in its league.
It isn't entirely perfect. The unpredictable nature of DEP's songs has become, well, predictable. You can always count on DEP to put together a record like this one every year or so, and one could say that they're resting on their laurels and resisting the idea of experimentation.
But you definitely wouldn't want to say that to their faces.
Four out of five stars.
lifeline@cm-life.com
"Ire Works," their latest release, is a devastating amalgam of blastbeats, discordant guitars and throat-shredding vocals, all delivered with the mathematical precision Dillinger has come to be known for.
You see, DEP's tunes are like calculus problems. Calculus problems that can melt your face off.
Time signatures twist and jerk unexpectedly, but the band is as precise and calculated as ever. Riffs stop and start on a dime, and the drumming is technical and assured.
A few tunes deserve some special mention. The intro to "Lurch" is a mishmash of jazz-influenced noodling and wall-of-sound blastbeats, the signature of many DEP tunes.
DEP's electronic influence still is present as well, with distorted synth lines and buzzing electronic drums hidden behind the walls of distorted guitars and vocals on the tune "Sick On Sunday."
The heaviness is leavened a bit on the quieter songs "Dead As History" and "Mouth Of Ghosts," but for a band like DEP, that isn't saying much.
Even the ends of these tunes still are as devastating as anything else on the record.
The album features some interesting curiosities, like the Ozzy Osbourne-esque vocals on "Black Bubblegum."
The band isn't exactly known for their melodic sense, but there are some more accessible bits sprinkled throughout the album.
The end of "Mouth Of Ghosts" is downright catchy in parts.
As on some of their past releases, some guest musicians make an appearance on "Ire Works."
DEP's original vocalist, Dimitri Minakakis, makes an appearance, as well as Mastodon vocalist Brent Hinds. While it's hard to distinguish their contribution from main vocalist Greg Puciato, they do add at least a bit of a twist to a couple of songs.
The band has been around for about 10 years, which is like centuries in the underground metal/hardcore scene. But they show no signs of letting up or growing old.
"Ire Works" is as brutal and punishing as any other record in its league.
It isn't entirely perfect. The unpredictable nature of DEP's songs has become, well, predictable. You can always count on DEP to put together a record like this one every year or so, and one could say that they're resting on their laurels and resisting the idea of experimentation.
But you definitely wouldn't want to say that to their faces.
Four out of five stars.
lifeline@cm-life.com
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