ALBUMS WE WISH HAD MADE THE LIST (BUT WEREN’T REALLY ELIGIBLE): THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN – CALCULATING INFINITY

SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER AMY SCIARRETTO OF ROADRUNNER RECORDS AND NOISECREEP

The Dillinger Escape Plan, Calculating Infinity (Relapse, 1999)
Dimitri Minakakis – Vocals
Ben Weinman – Guitars
Brian Benoit – Guitars
Adam Doll – Bass
Chris Pennie – Drums
Produced by Steve Evetts, Ben Weinman and Chris Pennie

The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Calculating Infinity came out in September 1999, but despite the calendar year of its release, it still went on to impart some sort of influence – large in some cases, smaller and less obvious in others – on much of the metal that came after it in the ‘00s, which is why I kept “playfully” complaining to the MetalSucks head honchos about their strict rules on the sphere of influence being relegated to the ‘00 decade. Yes, I understand that rules are made for a reason, but this album sorta deserves to break them.

So many bands that sent me CDs/albums in the ‘00s were brutal and technical, and to me, I heard bands that listened to songs like “Sugar Coated Sour” and “43% Burnt.” Not exact copies by any means, but there was some sort of connection there.

I feel that Poison the Well, Shai Hulud and Converge were also the bands that a lot of newer metal bands tried to sound like in the ‘00s. I just think that this particular release was the one that made Dillinger so revered by the metal underground, and obviously,
those listening to metal.

-Amy Sciarretto