Search - Discordance Axis :: Inalienable Dreamless

A Monumental Swansong

icarusfall13 | FLA | 01/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was Discordance Axis' final release (barring reissues and the Pikadourei DVD) and damn if it wasn't some of their best material comitted to plastic. Released originally in a DVD case with stunning minimalist artwork by HydraHead, it's been nigh impossible to get since it's release. DA changed formulas somewhat for this CD, opting for longer songs, instead of their 45-second blast-furnace approach of past. Eschewing typical grind lyrics and songwriting, the music on offer is ferociously fast, chaotic, and executed with astounding precision - but comes across sounding more in debt to punk and thrash than anything else. The lyrics are a high point of the record, Jon Chang not writing rediculous gore lyrics for 13-year-olds, and opts to take an almost snapshot-story approach to the writing. Taking inspiration mostly from anime, the lyrics are something to think on (Castration Rite) while he screeches out his fury. With Dave Witte in the drum chair you know you're in for a solid drumming performance, and he doesn't disappoint. The velocity and precision he applies to his drumming is mind boggling - Truly one of the greatest metal drummers alive right now. The guitar work is similar to all DA albums of past, and if you've seen the "tabulature" for the songs on the Pikadourei DVD, you'll get a serious laugh at how they were created. Previous DA albums had a very loose production aiding in the feel that the songs might spin out of control at any given moment and destroy your house; but the band took their time with this release and the more considered approach worked out to their favor - The songs still sounding dangerously close to collapse, but anchored by some intangible thing in the whirlwind of chaos assaulting you. I truly feel this is their finest hour



An essential release from an essential band. No one has sounded like them before and no one ever will."