OPTION PARALYSIS

Although undeniably a greatly talented group of musicians, the work of US mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan is a very love-it-or-hate-it entity. With chaotic and atypical chord structures, discordant noise and plenty of rhythmic experimentation to go around, the band certainly makes no effort to appeal to every listener. Throughout their career, they have polarized audiences with their unique blend of experimental metalcore, and 'Option Paralysis' will be no exception to this. Blending some of the noisiest and most frenetic guitar work you're likely to hear this year, with concise songwriting and a dynamic vocal delivery, my ears were slow to warm up to the Dillinger Escape Plan's latest work. But if anything, 'Option Paralysis' proves that whatever your first impression of this group may be, they certainly warrant an educated listen before passing final judgement.

The album takes very little time getting started. A few tranquil chords ring as a vanguard to 'Option Paralysis's very barrage of sound. Mathematically complex guitar experimentation bursts throughout under the unsettling and screechy screams of vocalist Greg Puciato. However, between the chaotic noisy intensity are quite a few melodic sections. While I'm still not a fan of the screams that the Dillinger Escape Plan employs, the clean vocals are quite skilled and effective, although they can sound a bit nasal in parts. Despite making a name for themselves based on their erratic and amelodic delivery, the more mellow sections of the album are very melodic and beautiful. Even in the more accessible parts of the album however is an experimental nature, which lends a challenging listening experience throughout.

While the genre of mathcore demands a very particular sort of listener, 'Option Paralysis' should be given a chance, even by those that do not historically care for the style much. With that being said however, this is certainly not an easy listen, and requires a few listens even just to become enjoyable. While not every experiment on 'Option Paralysis' works, and some of the erratic guitar work can get annoying after a while, I have certainly been impressed by this band's effort here. A very unique sounding project.

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