Review Summary: Possibly the most underrated and misunderstood album to be released by the beautifully chaotic band, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza.
Over my high school years, I was introduced to many forms and genres of heavy metal. My palate at that time had mainly been the sour tones of Slipknot and Linkin Park. I know, what the f!@$ right? ... Anways, I will never forget the day my buddy from school showed me Danza III. The mix of extreme metal genres such as grindcore and math metal being coated with "djenty" chuggy riffs and insane progressive, polyrhythmic leads was like being in a nightmare and a dream at the same time. It's really hard to swallow your first time through because these guys throw everything at you, all at once, like your in some kind-of bad trip, but when you do get into girddiness of this record, you can't stop listening.
So, as a fan of their previous album and even falling in love with their two previous before that, I was more than ready for Danza IV. However, I could have never imagined the glory and pure carnage of this beast.
Jessie Freeland (providing vocals) and Joshua Travis (sporting the 8-string axe as well as tracking bass, drums and sampling) have created what in my opinion I can only call the greatest album to have ever pieced my ears. The brilliantly timed guitars and signature polyrhythmic leads complement every aspect of this album. Songs like "Paul Bunyan And The Blue Ox" and "This Is Forever" create a metamorphic sound-wall that leave the listener dazed from the chaos and musicianship Josh is capable of. Singles "The Alpha The Omega" and "You Won't" continually have a sense of nostalgia as they use many elements including grind and odd-timing; most notably seen in Danza II.
The occasional drum solo and bass filters really complemented Joshua's ability to take over the entire album as well. What stands out the most is the new elements of ambient and drone through-out the entire album including interludes such as "The Crossfire", "Death Eater" and "Some Things Are Best Left Unsaid" that really diversify this album. I lost my absolute mind on the track "Don't Try This At Home" with the crazy multi-tracking guitars and chord progression.
In the vocal and lyrical department, Jessie really shows his raw aggression and often silly nature that I've come to believe are one of the most important aspects of Danza. Tracks like "This Cut Was The Deepest" and "Rudy X3" produce devastating choruses and off-beat vocal verses much like seen on their last record. The most prolific track that showcases his ability to blend together his great talent and the 'epicness' of the progressive waves coming from Josh was undoubtedly "Canadian Bacon", my favorite track. It constantly amuses me by sarcastically spinning lines about giving 'a round of applause' for his girlfriend for lying to him and putting her clothes on 'too fast'. Around the 2:40 mark, we are hit with a destructive breakdown that I can say puts all others to shame.
Overall, this album is, without a shadow of a doubt, a true classic. With it's members saying goodbye to us after this release, it was very difficult to accept that these songs will never be played live. And what's worst, that I also never got a chance to see them live... *sigh*
I would like to clarify why it's actually called Danza IIII. As many fans had believed when the third album had dropped, it seemed that Jessie and the crew were going by the Roman Numeral Chart. But in fact with this release, we are told that these have actually been changed to tallies. And I can see why. After this album, Jessie and Joshua alike have taken their leave to other projects or walks of life and the band was never officially seen as over but merely put on hold. So.. will we ever see a new Danza? Well, it's always a possibility but I won't put money on it.
Lastly, because I am also putting this up pretty late, I have had time to look at others reviews and I do not agree with them. For those saying that this album "feels heavy and abrasive just for the sake of being heavy and abrasive" then you must not understand the reason why this genre exists. This was an original piece from a very original band. Nothing more and nothing less. I beg you to give this a real listen and to not just pass on this. This album alone is why I love music and why music is art.
