OPTION PARALYSIS

First off, I'd like to start by saying that I absolutely loved Ire Works and am not a huge fan of Miss Machine or Calculating Infinity. Basically, Option Paralysis is an album in somewhat the same flavor as Ire Works: it has some catchy/melodic songs, it has an epic track "Widower" which is the 'Mouth of Ghosts' equivalent on this album, and it also has the entirely hardcore/tech/blistering tech songs. I'm not particularly a fan of the latter, though 'Good Neighbor' is a song in this style that I find to be awesome. There are only 4 songs on the album that are entirely of the blistering/hardcore style. Most of the tracks have melodies, choruses, etc. Basically, if you liked the direction that Ire Works was taken, you will absolutely love Option Paralysis. It's overall heavier than Ire Works but feels very similar.

It's already April and this is the only metal relase that cought my eye this year. It seems that the metal scene has less and less to offer with every year - right now Mastodon, DEP, Gojira, Intronaut and ISIS and among the last few bands that offer something worth listening so I'm thankful for every metal album that's as good as this one.

And boy is this good! For me DEP is getting better and better with every album, I can't stand their first wroks, I liked Miss Machine, Ire Works caught my heart with a bit more accesible sound but Option Paralysis is easily my favorite DEP album so far. So what changed since Ire Works? Not much really, this is still the same mix of hardcore, metal, jazzy elements, punk energy and a bit of pop. The softer piano parts that appear in various songs are something new but the piano blends perfectly with the songs. Greg Puciato does his best on this album! Really an amazing vocal performance! Plus I think they've concetrated more on the songwriting this time and this is what makes this album so great to listen.

Trully an excellent addition to any prog collection!

Well, that's strange. First I though that I won't like this album, but it seems that because I was curious enough to give it two more chances, I began to like it. First of all, this album shocks everyone with screaming vocals, but to say it in nutshell, what is hidden behind them gives this big value. Complex line of melody/rhythm/pace, whatever you call it.

Oh, by the way, this kind of music really needs proper headphones, or very good sound system, because otherwise you wouldn't catch all these little elements that makes this special, interesting and worth of listening. I suppose that fans of Death Prog Metal will like this, there are many similarities. But I'm slowly getting into this kind of music so this is becoming more and more interesting to enjoy it all.

There are tracks like Chinese Whispers or Parasitic Twins that are quite different, not using this kind of harsh sounding vocals, but instead being more of a dark Prog ballad than anything else.

4(+), basically it's very worth of attention, as long you as you overcome the vocals and fast pace. But in this case you don't like this kind of music, you won't be here, will you ? Maybe you will, who knows.

Cat get little bit tiresome after some time, as he keeps screaming and screaming. Yes, I'm aware that this is big part of this music, but don't listen to this too much in a row, that's all.

After loving their last album, Ire Works, I jumped at the chance to get their new album.

And did it match up to their previous...

No, and to be honest I was a little disapointed.

This album wasn't bad, and it wasn't really good either.

These guys became too enraptured in becoming weird and playing off beats and going mental (something modern prog bands are doing too much these days), and they lost their songwrting abilities (well they have some).

If you wanna hear these guys, buy Ire Works, it's really good, and maybe on a one off get this album just to complete a collection.

1. Farewell, Mona Lisa - Very frantic and quite eerie. In the intro has a black metal vibe to it. Love the middle section. 9/10

2. Good Neighbour - Love the melodic death metal influence. Incredibly frantic with a lot of time changes and off beats (ooh what a suprise). 8/10

3. Gold Teeth On A Bum - Greg's vocals are amazing in this song. Pretty ok chorus. 8/10

4. Crystal Mourning - Some more black metal influences with some of the riffs. A bit too frantic. 7/10

5. Endless Endings - Again very samey and frantic. 6/10

6. Widower - Amazing piano work. Quite cheesy but also quite beautiful. Great change in dynamics and amazing vocals from Greg. 9/10

7. Room Full Of Eyes - Very noisy, but a bit samey. Nothing really different. 6/10

8. Chinese Whispers - This song does have a jazzy edge and a pretty cool chorus. 8/10

9. I Wouldn't If You Didn't - This song does have some interesting twists and turns. Great change in dynamics. 8/10

10. Parasitic Twins - Intro is pretty eerie. Great vocals. Has quite a poppy vibe with the falsetto vocals and the overdubs. 9/10

CONCLUSION: No real exceptional songs and a lot of randomness. If I were you, I would buy their other albums, before even thinking of buying this one.

'Option Paralysis' - The Dillinger Escape Plan (7/10)

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.

When I was getting into Between The Buried and Me around 2008/09, a lot of people came up suggesting I should listen to The Dillinger Escape Plan, so I got a few of their albums and really never got it. It all seemed too chaotic and insubstantial. And then hearing the release of this album, I decided to give it a shot. I'm really glad I did.

Looking at it now, it's the culmination of everything they decided to do after Calculating Infinity, refined, then refined again, because what I failed to notice in Miss Machine was a lot of experimentation going on along the lines of Faith No More, and it really works for them. Especially in songs like Gold Teeth On A Bum and Chinese Whispers where very melodic vocal parts are seamlessly intertwined with the frantic mathcore they're known for.

In terms of listenability this is definitely one of their easiest listens yet, but it still isn't for one who isn't accustomed to mathcore or metal in general. Greg Pusciato has a great scream and a great melodic voice, highlighted especially well in the album's climax, Widower.

Now as for Widower it is by far the best song on the album. So much so that it really deserves its own paragraph. It starts off with a light piano accompaniment from Mike Garson(who also did work for Smashing Pumpkins and David Bowie) and Greg almost crooning his lines. And then the rest of the band come in. The mood tenses up as the pianos take a back seat and the vocals grow heavier. Eventually it reaches it's climax and everyone goes all out with the piano just staying out for the climax of not only the song, but the album itself. They quickly calm down to just piano noodling in about a minute, before one last outburst reminding the listener of what exactly they're listening to.

The band itself is absolutely flawless although I'd hesitate to call each one out on their merits. They really all work together in a cohesive unit, no one really outshining the other, while turning together on a dime when the music calls for it.

Overall as a mathcore album you really can't go wrong with this, and if you're considering buying a DEP album, this should definitely be your first stop.