On this album, DEP are Ben Wienman, Brian Benoit, Adam Doll, Chirs Pennie and Dimitri Minakakis.
The Dillinger Escape Plan's first full length album is quite possibly one of the best "core" albums ever released. A sort of progressive grindcore that dabbles in jazz and schizophrenia. This album should not be overlooked by anyone. Any fan of metal, prog, hardcore or good music in general needs to listen to this album. The technicality and songwriting are both through the roof and there is no shortage of creativity. This is not someone elses album, it belongs to the Dillinger Escape Plan, no questions.
Ben (who seems to be the core of the band) plays some of the most challenging and jaw dropping guitar parts to be heard on this album (
43% Burnt) while remaining super creative and not falling into the trap of classic shredding. Dimitri's vocals are excellent, though would probably be what turns off the most people. These vocals are extremely chaotic, and whenever they stop being as heavy as possible, it is only to build back up again. The fact that the music could be appreciated without the vocals is a testament to the originality. So long as you don't mind the vocals or can see past them, you will enjoy this.
It is also important to mention that the feeling of this album is never calm. Even when the distortion is gone and it all slows down, there is still a very ominous feeling that the music will jump out from behind a rock and smash you in the head. A prime example of this would be the song
The Running Board which falls back form the intensity but never even approaches soothing. That isn't to say there is no dynamic because the level of intensity shifts just imagine the Spinal Tap quote "our amps go to 11" and insert it here. This album has dynamic in that it goes from intense to balls-staple-gunned-to-the-wall-of-a-house-rolling-down-the-side-of-a-mountain.
Basically what I'm trying to say is get this album now. When someone tells you that there is no good metal left, point them here. WHen they say all core stuff sucks, point them here. When they say metal and core are all just shrieking and screaming, point them here. This album is the killer of cliches. This band is amazing and this album is some of their finest work.
Pros
- Technicality fits song writing
- Superb songwriting and technicality
- Innovative to the extreme
Cons
- Production can sound a little strange at times
