The Mathcore Thread

Converge - "You Fail Me" (2004)

Another solid release from one of the best in the business. I think it was Converge's best work to the time actually. Fans of Botch, Drowningman & The Dillinger Escape Plan should already be all over this.

4/5

The Dillinger Escape Plan with Mike Patton - "Irony Is A Dead Scene" E.P. (2002)

I'm really enjoying this little collaboration between two big names at the moment. The usual Dillinger intensity has been somewhat off-set by the avant-garde experi(mental) stylings of Patton which makes it really interesting as you never quite know what to expect next. In fact, I was surprised to discover that Patton's influence has extended far further than I would have thought likely as you could be forgiven for thinking this was a Mr. Bungle record during certain sections. The Aphex Twin cover version was a nice surprise too although it doesn't quite match the original for twisted scare-factor. "Irony Is A Dead Scene" is a unique alternative for fans of either artist should satisfy those who enjoy Converge, Mr. Bungle & Car Bomb.

4/5

Botch - "We Are The Romans" (1999)

Most of our regulars would be aware that I don't dish out the full five stars very often at all. A release has to be absolutely perfectly in tune with my personal taste & also be impeccably performed & executed with an unparalleled level of creative ambition even to be considered. But 1999's sophomore album from Washington-based mathcore outfit Botch is not only an amazing release for the subgenre but it may well be the best mathcore record I've ever experienced. I honestly didn't know that this style of music could reach these heights. This is truly superior metal music that thumbs its nose at the competition. For fans of Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan & Gaza.

5/5

For this weekend's top ten list I decided to put together my Top Ten Mathcore Releases of All Time. See what you think & feel free to post your own:

01. Botch – “We Are The Romans” (1999)

02. Gaza – “No Absolutes In Human Suffering” (2012)

03. Inside The Beehive – “Drink Bleach; Live Forever” E.P. (2011)

04. Gaza – “I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die” (2006)

05. War From A Harlots Mouth – “MMX” (2010)

06. Botch – “An Anthology Of Dead Ends” E.P. (2002)

07. The Dillinger Escape Plan – “One Of Us Is The Killer” (2013)

08. Converge – “You Fail Me” (2004)

09. Serpent Column – “Endless Detainment” E.P. (2020)

10. The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Irony Is A Dead Scene” E.P. (2002)

https://metal.academy/lists/single/180

I enjoy the experimental chaos of mathcore, but I don't think I found as many releases from that subgenre as most other metalcore/melodic metalcore subgenres. Fortunately, thanks to a few grand discoveries in my rediscovery voyage, I now have enough for a top 10, which I'm sharing right here:

1. Botch - We Are The Romans (1999)

2. Converge - You Fail Me (2004)

3. Every Time I Die - Radical (2021)

4. Gaza - I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die (2006)

5. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity (1999)

6. Deadguy - Fixation on a Coworker (1995)

7. Coalesce - Give Them Rope (1997)

8. Knut - Challenger (2002)

9. Iwrestledabearonce - Ruining It for Everybody (2011)

10. Psyopus - Odd Senses (2009)

This month's feature release has seen me having to alter my Top Ten Mathcore Releases of All Time with The Dillinger Escape Plan & Mike Patton's "Irony Is A Dead Scene" E.P. having to make way for Knut's "Challenger".

01. Botch – “We Are The Romans” (1999)

02. Gaza – “No Absolutes In Human Suffering” (2012)

03. Inside The Beehive – “Drink Bleach; Live Forever” E.P. (2011)

04. Gaza – “I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die” (2006)

05. Knut - "Challenger" (2002)

06. War From A Harlots Mouth – “MMX” (2010)

07. Botch – “An Anthology Of Dead Ends” E.P. (2002)

08. The Dillinger Escape Plan – “One Of Us Is The Killer” (2013)

09. Converge – “You Fail Me” (2004)

10. Serpent Column – “Endless Detainment” E.P. (2020)

https://metal.academy/lists/single/180

Update on my list:

1. Botch - We Are The Romans (1999)

2. Converge - You Fail Me (2004)

3. Every Time I Die - Radical (2021)

4. Gaza - I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die (2006)

5. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity (1999)

6. Deadguy - Fixation on a Coworker (1995)

7. Coalesce - Give Them Rope (1997)

8. Candiria - Beyond Reasonable Doubt (1997)

9. Sikth - How May I Help You? (2002)

10. Knut - Challenger (2002)