review: Dillinger Escape Plan--Ire Works

For nearly 10 years, the Dillinger Escape Plan have been darlings of the metal and hardcore scenes due to their unorthodox combination of spastic tempo changes, dizzying time signatures, and highly technical riffs. In 2002, Irony Is A Dead Scene added a touch of melody to the band’s established formula of shrieked vocals, and 2004’s Miss Machine saw the band toying with more traditional song structures (a repeating chorus, for instance) on tracks like “Unretrofied.” Their latest release, the spectacular Ire Works, takes a bigger leap forward, but it’s also a natural progression in that the band continues to introduce elements of pop music into their brand of extreme metal.

Album openers “Fix Your Face” and “Lurch” are fairly straightforward, meaning they’re entirely dissonant and abrasive, chock full of guitarist Benjamin Weinman’s trademark choppy riffs. But when singer Greg Puciato launches into a falsetto on “Black Bubblegum,” followed by a chorus that’s straight power pop, it becomes clear these guys aren’t interested in repeating themselves. On “Milk Lizard,” trumpet crescendos blare over a dirty, simple guitar riff, creating an infectious (Dare I say danceable?) tune that grooves in a way the band’s earlier work always resisted.

Ire Works makes use of a greater range of instrumentation, from violin and viola, to piano and programming. “Dead as History” feature electronic blips and whirs that give way to somber keys and finally a huge, sweeping chorus. A pair of brief instrumentals round out the album; anything but throwaways, these tracks succeed in creating a nervous, creepy vibe.

None of which is to say the Dillinger Escape Plan have lost their edge. These songs are still packed with jazzy breakdowns and thunderous, manic drumming. And Puciato certainly hasn’t forgotten how to scream his ass off. Rather, the inclusion of pop and electronic elements ensures that when the band does crank the volume up to 11, the effect is that much more intense. This record will only reinforce the band’s esteem in the metal community, and fans of progressive music at large would do well to check out Ire Works.

Dillinger Escape Plan
Ire Works
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