For every extreme metal band, there seem to be a template by which to compare to. And for the last few years, the template has been the New Jersey quintet The Dillinger Escape Plan. While other bands simply mimic what this juggernaut does, no one does it with the fiery passion or the utmost conviction that these guys radiate. The 11-track MISS MACHINE is yet another raise of the extreme metal bar, yet not by the band blazing through intricate guitar and drum parts or by being the most technically proficient band out there (even though they arguably are). DEP raise the bar because, besides the chaotic cacophonic shooting sprees of "Sunshine the Werewolf" and "Panasonic Youth", they've included real, honest, heavy melodic tunes to the mix. No doubt thanks in part to the band's collaborating with Mike Patton on the outfit's previous EP IRONY IS A DEAD SCENE, songs like "Phone Home, while still way out of range in terms of being mainstream, include unmistakably memorable parts. Adding this kind of depth to an already top- rated aural assault rightfully places The Dillinger Escape Plan in the enviable position way atop the extreme metal genre as the most dangerous band on the planet.

Mike SOS