The Dillinger Escape Plan

Mastodon

Video: Mastodon’s “Dry Bone Valley” (live)

Atlanta’s Mastodon took its melodic sludge metal across the pond this past winter with Red Fang and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Along the way, it sold out London’s Brixton Academy to make it the largest UK headlining show in the band’s touring history. Catch a glimpse of the night’s action with a clip of Mastodon performing “Dry Bone Valley.”

Morrow vs. Hajduch

Morrow vs. Hajduch: Seabrook Power Plant’s II

Scott Morrow is ALARM’s music editor. Patrick Hajduch is a very important lawyer. Each week they debate the merits of a different album.

Seabrook Power Plant: IISeabrook Power Plant: II (Loyal Label, 4/26/11)

Seabrook Power Plant: “Lamborghini Helicopter”

[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Seabrook_Power_Plant_Lamborghini_Helicopter.mp3|titles=Seabrook Power Plant: “Lamborghini Helicopter”]

Morrow: Using a banjo and upright bass as key instruments in a math-prog power trio, Seabrook Power Plant offers one hell of an alternative to the “nuclear family” of the traditional rock lineup.

Electric guitar, electric bass, and assorted effects each play major roles, and at times, the group comes closer to the shredding avant-rock of “regular” experimental bands. But even when not using the twangy instrument for rapid, arpeggiated leads or going acoustic with the rhythm section, something unusual is happening — whether it’s weird operatic vocals, furious and echoing violin riffs, moments of sludge rock, or distorted drum fills.

100 Unheralded Albums from 2010

Among the thousands of under-appreciated or under-publicized albums that were released in 2010, hundreds became our favorites and were presented in ALARM and on AlarmPress.com. Of those, we pared down to 100 outstanding releases, leaving no genre unexplored in our list of this year’s overlooked gems.

Argotec

The Groove Seeker: Argotec’s Wherewithal

On a weekly basis, The Groove Seeker goes in search of killer grooves across rock, funk, hip hop, soul, electronic music, jazz, fusion, and more.

Argotec: WherewithalArgotec: Wherewithal (5/8/2010)

Argotec: “What You Now Know”

[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/05-What-You-Now-Know.mp3|titles=Argotec: “What You Now Know”]

Argotec, the New York-based duo of Alex Argot and Defpotec (Richard Courage), shows an impressive array of influences with its self-released debut record, Wherewithal, cementing elements of drum-and-bass, glitch, electronic, and rock into the realm of hip hop.  The partnership — Argot supplying rhymes and Defpotec handling production — has created a distinct and developed sound, channeling old-school Aesop Rock verses in a cut-and-paste Flying Lotus aesthetic with dash of screamo vocals.  With smart lyrics that demand listeners to think critically about social consciousness, Wherewithal aims to broaden audiences’ horizon both musically and mentally.

Weekly Music News Roundup

Holy collaboration — Mike Patton and Justin Broadrick are contributing to a score by Fog‘s Andrew Broder and Adam “Doseone” Drucker for a semi-autobiographical “photographic novel” by Alan Moore.  Whoa.

In other news, The Dillinger Escape Plan has signed to Season of Mist, Eyedea & Abilities has a new album, two Rodriguez-Lopez brothers (not Omar) are releasing a debut full-length, and Múm will release a new disc in August.  This and more is in the roundup.

Weekly Music News Roundup

The Dillinger Escape Plan begins recording a new album in July; El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez and Madvillain post tracks; Sunny Day Real Estate is rumored to be reuniting; Steve Reich wins a Pulitzer.  Keep reading in the roundup.

Weekly Music News Roundup

A tentative lineup for Zorn Fest 2009 is posted; math metallists The Dillinger Escape Plan have another new drummer; rock cellist Helen Money just finished a new album; tour dates have been announced for Lymbyc Systym, the Alex Skolnick Trio, and the Extra Action Marching Band.

Read about this and more in our roundup.

Weekly Music News Roundup

Ben Weinman
Ben Weinman

Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman posts footage of his solo performance; Black Moth Super Rainbow won’t be playing for a while; MTV Iggy posts a clip of Yo-Yo Ma and Andrew Bird jamming. This and much more…