Dissociation is Dillinger Escape Plan’s sixth studio offering and is set to be their last, after the New Jersey mathcore outfit announced earlier in the year they are disbanding following the album’s tour. Kicking off with lead single 'Limerant Death' - a track familiar but by no means tired - it not only reminds listeners of how good this band can be, but also how harmoniously the disparate elements of DEP’s measured dynamic texture work together. Then the melancholic first bars of second track 'Symptom of Terminal Illness' are the first sign of this record's true voice among the band’s many releases; it’s slower while not being just slow, moodier but not monotonously so, and has the most obvious jazz influences - even though some will probably deny that.
At times Dissociation feels like a schizophrenic culmination of the best moments from all preceding albums, while on the other hand it has moments that feel definitively new and exciting. Like all Dillinger releases, the delicately constructed sonic chaos will reward the listener every time they spin it. Sometimes ultra-heavy and anarchic, sometimes spacey, gentle and melodic, Dissociation is testament to this band’s longevity and consistent relevance. It may be a bitter-sweet farewell, but god damn what a note to go out on.
