Dillinger Escape Plan
Option Paralysis
( Season of Mist)

Dillinger Escape Plan has been around for a while, coming together in 1997 after another hardcore ensemble the band was a part of dissolved. The follow-up album to Ire Works, their new record, Option Paralysis, brings back the loud, overpowering Dillinger Escape Plan that fans love.

One criticism of the album is that it doesn’t feel as cohesive as previous albums by the band. However, when listening to the tracks individually, you forget all about that. “Endless Endings” is violent, spastic and a cacophony at its best. Shredding guitars and booming drums break apart about 30 seconds in for a short and stunning guitar solo. Seriously, you can’t miss how good this breakdown is. The rest of the song is just as stunning as it moves between heavier passages and more melodic lyrical verses. Dillinger Escape Plan combines these elements together better than most hardcore bands and Option Paralysis is another strong example of just that. “Parasitic Twins” is easily the standout of the album. Starting with simpler bells and moving on to eerie, ominous lyrics, the track feels like it belongs in a warped dollhouse. The track features no screaming, no powerful breakdowns or the like, but shows a softer side of the band that is just as good as the violent, phenomenal mayhem for which they are known.

If you haven’t picked up the album yet, what are you waiting for? One of the strongest hardcore releases of the year can’t be missed!