
Dyscordia
Delete / Rewrite
Road Marks Productions
2020
Dyscordia are a Belgian bunch, who probably make a bit more fuss and do a bit more namedropping about themselves and their collaborations than what would seem logical and right. They’ve been going on for the better part of the past decade and in that time they’ve released another two albums preceded by an EP, all overseen by Jens Borgen (Opeth, Paradise Lost, Katatonia, etc.), supported bigger bands locally and performed at many smaller festivals.
The sextet is overbearingly melodic, without losing their edge or heaviness and they even at times go a little growly and gung ho for good measure. You wouldn’t call em prog, but they’re neither your most by the book band either. Ehm Scar Symmetry, Adagio, Pagan’s Mind are bands that come to mind, although these guys are not on the same level, but in a similar vein. There’s a certain amount of ambition, but also a bit of confusion. In trying to be different and edgy, the band seems unable to break away from the predictability of angry verse, melodic vocal style that has been rather prominent in recent years in a lot of cases, with a few pleasant exceptions.
The titular “Delete/Rewrite” has a massive riff, which almost drives its verses, but the chorus, comes in a form that’s not exactly altogether expected, which is welcome. In places it reminded me a bit of s more gothic, less industrial 2wo even.
“This House” has a persistent short riff, and feels like some friggin Bostonian hardcore thing, that’s been regurgitated by Germans and spat out. Dunno if that sounds too appetizing, but I suppose it is a little better than the description, mainly due to the effectiveness of the riffing and a nice melodic break/chorus.
“Rage” settles somewhere in the middle of modern angsty-slightly electronic and older-gothic atmosphere… in an uneasy truce, that’s not actually unappealing.
“The Curse of Mediocracy” is misspelled, not sure if it’s on purpose or not. Meritocracy and mediocrity come to mind and mixing the two words, could be an explanation. It’s a more energetic track, but its chorus has a certain gothic lyricism at an unusual pitch as well, that tend to make it stand out.
I loved “Merry Go Round”’s inventive opening riffs and weird middle. It almost feels like old school Inflames hijacking Talk Talk, if that makes any sense? A weird agro pop, which keeps both parts of the DNA intact and doesn’t fuse them. An interesting little “monster”.
“Castle High” is too traditional sounding to fit too well with the rest of the material, at least until growls, ex macinate it, temporarily. Nicely thought solo too that feels very well integrated to the rest of the song.
“The Cards Have Turned” is trying to do it all, combine everything that has preceded it in one track and up to a point it manages to do just that.
“Stranger to the Dark” again feels to have this gothic, Halfordesque, prog, twisted aestetic, without resorting to extremities… but if it manages to lure you in, you might get hooked.
“Silent Tears” reminded me mildly of “Prisoner of Your Eyes” at least the intro and a bit of the verses. It doesn’t build like it and obviously it doesn’t have such an outstanding chorus, but you get the whole vibe. Somehow the chorus is shinier and happier, but overall it’s not a bad song, despite it nearing the eight minute mark.
“Rise and Try” begins with an... excuse me consists entirely of harmonized vocals… and sounds a little like Extreme of all things, Cherone?!
Well, the misfortune of guys like Dyscordia, that I will confess to have only heard of prior to this, but not actually heard, is that no matter how interesting their songs and arrangements might be are likely to be swept to the side, in favor of some name band, which might be coming up with far less interesting material, but has better marketing… and that would be a shame really. Their multifaceted personality and hard to categorize sound, certainly don’t help with that, but isn’t that prog’s supposed to be after all?!
The sextet is overbearingly melodic, without losing their edge or heaviness and they even at times go a little growly and gung ho for good measure. You wouldn’t call em prog, but they’re neither your most by the book band either. Ehm Scar Symmetry, Adagio, Pagan’s Mind are bands that come to mind, although these guys are not on the same level, but in a similar vein. There’s a certain amount of ambition, but also a bit of confusion. In trying to be different and edgy, the band seems unable to break away from the predictability of angry verse, melodic vocal style that has been rather prominent in recent years in a lot of cases, with a few pleasant exceptions.
The titular “Delete/Rewrite” has a massive riff, which almost drives its verses, but the chorus, comes in a form that’s not exactly altogether expected, which is welcome. In places it reminded me a bit of s more gothic, less industrial 2wo even.
“This House” has a persistent short riff, and feels like some friggin Bostonian hardcore thing, that’s been regurgitated by Germans and spat out. Dunno if that sounds too appetizing, but I suppose it is a little better than the description, mainly due to the effectiveness of the riffing and a nice melodic break/chorus.
“Rage” settles somewhere in the middle of modern angsty-slightly electronic and older-gothic atmosphere… in an uneasy truce, that’s not actually unappealing.
“The Curse of Mediocracy” is misspelled, not sure if it’s on purpose or not. Meritocracy and mediocrity come to mind and mixing the two words, could be an explanation. It’s a more energetic track, but its chorus has a certain gothic lyricism at an unusual pitch as well, that tend to make it stand out.
I loved “Merry Go Round”’s inventive opening riffs and weird middle. It almost feels like old school Inflames hijacking Talk Talk, if that makes any sense? A weird agro pop, which keeps both parts of the DNA intact and doesn’t fuse them. An interesting little “monster”.
“Castle High” is too traditional sounding to fit too well with the rest of the material, at least until growls, ex macinate it, temporarily. Nicely thought solo too that feels very well integrated to the rest of the song.
“The Cards Have Turned” is trying to do it all, combine everything that has preceded it in one track and up to a point it manages to do just that.
“Stranger to the Dark” again feels to have this gothic, Halfordesque, prog, twisted aestetic, without resorting to extremities… but if it manages to lure you in, you might get hooked.
“Silent Tears” reminded me mildly of “Prisoner of Your Eyes” at least the intro and a bit of the verses. It doesn’t build like it and obviously it doesn’t have such an outstanding chorus, but you get the whole vibe. Somehow the chorus is shinier and happier, but overall it’s not a bad song, despite it nearing the eight minute mark.
“Rise and Try” begins with an... excuse me consists entirely of harmonized vocals… and sounds a little like Extreme of all things, Cherone?!
Well, the misfortune of guys like Dyscordia, that I will confess to have only heard of prior to this, but not actually heard, is that no matter how interesting their songs and arrangements might be are likely to be swept to the side, in favor of some name band, which might be coming up with far less interesting material, but has better marketing… and that would be a shame really. Their multifaceted personality and hard to categorize sound, certainly don’t help with that, but isn’t that prog’s supposed to be after all?!