The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

Since their 1999 debut Calculating Infinity, The Dillinger Escape Plan have risen from being outcast mathcore nerds to elated boundary jostlers in their inimitable and effervescent field. They’ve done this in an oddly non prolific fashion with Option Paralysis being only their fourth record.

Previous two efforts Miss Machine and Ire Works both exhibited the band’s grave evolution of the schizophrenic carnage that is their music. Option Paralysis continues that steam train evolution but simultaneously doesn’t mark any drastic departure from their maniacal manner. So, if you never like The Dillinger Escape Plan before then Option Paralysis won’t convert anyone. It more or less preaches to the converted.

Opener 'Farewell Mona Lisa' is very much indicative of the record as a whole, avalanching riffs and corrosive vocals from Greg Puciato give way to clean melodic chorus. Puciato has made a career out of sounding like he’s gargling scalpels but he’s always been capable of pushing himself to the clean singing boundaries, and this is accentuated on this record. Examples of that are on 'Gold Teeth On A Bum' which tugs on that melodic element thoroughly, being a little more easily paced (by Dillinger standards) and clean vocal driven.

Past records have had momentary melodic breaks in them almost posing as a brief lapse to catch your breath, like that seen on 'Black Bubblegum' (from Ire Works). That mould isn’t broken.

Also, from shows and gaining contacts with Nine Inch Nails, DEP enlisted the services of 64 year old pianist Mike Garner (who’s has worked with Bowie). He lends an air of sophistication to the general insanity throughout Option Paralysis. 'Widower' is hugely emblematic of this, melding seamlessly with Puciato’s raspy vocals, building to some massive melodies. In parts, some of the piano wouldn’t sound out of place in a darkened, cooler than thou jazz club. But also, harrowing landscapes are created by Garson on 'I Wouldn’t If You Didn’t' after the hurried madness.

Option Paralysis is a continuation of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s frenzied and hectic manifesto. Ben Weinman and Jeff Tuttle’s riffs are still like that of a lunatic’s thoughts and new drummer, Billy Rymer blasts, batters and hammers his way treacherously through this belter of a record.

7/10