Fear, Emptiness, Decibel: The Dillinger Escape Plan Star in the Latest Edition of Converse x Decibel
Before there were blogs there were these things called magazines, and the only metal magazine we still get excited about reading every month is Decibel. Here’s managing editor Andrew Bonazelli…
For a band whose music and moniker conjure riotous instability, the Dillinger Escape Plan have actually had a pretty stable core since 2001—that year’s debut of vocalist Greg Puciato gave the Jersey mathletes a formidable triple threat, in addition to long-tenured gonzo axeman Ben Weinman and bassist Liam Wilson. This has almost certainly contributed to the (again, weird word to use regarding these guys) consistency in the four 21st century follow-ups to 1999 Hall of Fame breakout Calculating Infinity; namely, if you dug the sporadic clean vocals and melodicism of 2004’s Miss Machine, you’ll fiercely defend the merits of Ire Works, Option Paralysis and just-around-the-corner One of Us Is the Killer. The converse (huh huh) holds true, too. Detractors have had plenty of shit to sling about those records’ bombastic Faith No More-isms.
As evidenced by this newest installment of Converse x Decibel, the DEP are cool either way. This one’s all about them being comfortable in their own skin. It’s tough to transition from fanboy to contributing creative factor in a band, and most of these dudes—other than Weinman—have surely struggled to find a niche for their own energy and individuality. Early in the video, Puciato talks abstractly about the need to “[hone] in on the spirit that you need to channel for that day” to be a viable component of the band. Some days a certain percentage of each member is up to the task, he says, running through a few arbitrary numbers before settling on, yes, “43 percent.” He’s not on camera at the time, but I think he wasn’t winking. The Dillinger Escape Plan may be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with them.
The June 2013 issue of Decibel features Napalm Death, Immolation, Carcass, and an awesome Cannibal Corpse flexi disc. You can purchase it here. But why not just get a full subscription to ensure that you never miss an issue?
