Dillinger Escape Plan @ TheMetro, Sydney (21/05/2010)

Tue 25th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

The Metro houses a night of unbridled METAL tonight with scene stalwarts Dillinger Escape Plan headlining an all-American affair with support from Periphery and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.

The venue is suitably occupied as Periphery opens the show, with a healthy contingent of the growing crowd both visibly and audibly aroused by the hard-hitting six piece from Maryland. The mix isn’t sensational, with some of the (rare) quieter vocal moments barely perceptible above the din of instrumentation, but neither the band nor the punters are deterred as they fire out the shots in quick succession. Lead singer Spencer Sotelo mixes up the gravel with some well executed top of the register vocals, while drummer Matt Halpern is impressive to say the least, playing like a man possessed. Their debut, self-titled album released earlier this year is sure to move some units on the back of tonight’s performance.

Alabama’s Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, a concept band based on the legend of the criminal gang of Ma Baker and her sons, buck the hardcore trend of the evening somewhat, punching out a set that blends both a contemporary and old school metal sound. Hook laden riffs coupled with shredding guitar solos have an almost cock-rock quality about them (one punter muses that they sound like AC/DC’s evil lovechild), and the band not only alternates but fuses this with modern stylings more comparable to their tour partners. The concept basis is neither emphasised nor easily discernible in the live setting, though this does little to detract from the performance as the ever-burgeoning crowd are stirred by the antics of frontman Dallas Taylor (previously of Underoath ) and the energy that the band as a unit exude.

Hot on the heels of the release of new album Option Paralysis, Dillinger Escape Plan makes a true headline act entrance to a room now filled to capacity, and waste little time launching into a set best described in a single word; frantic.

Regular visitors to Oz in recent years, they immediately set about solidifying their place in the upper echelon of the “mathcore” genre. Visually and physically, tonight’s performance does the frantic nature of the music itself every ounce of justice.

Guitarist Ben Weinman in particular throws himself and his guitar around the stage with reckless abandon, and one can only wonder and awe at the consistency of the power and force vocalist Greg Puciato wields in his vocal chords.

The mix still isn’t the greatest or most flattering (particularly given much of the band’s appeal lies in the precision with which they execute their torture of the time signature), but they make easy work of rising to and above the challenge, delivering a well structured hour and a half long set. While the frenzy rarely abates, the subtle variations and haunting melody of newer tracks off Option Paralysis make for not only a blistering, ear splitting ninety minutes of metal, but a well rounded and complete musical experience. Given the success and support DEP enjoy Down Under, fans can only hope the frequency of their visits persists.

Check out the photos from the gig