There is something to be said about family members working together cohesively in heavy metal history that in starting this review of Oakland’s Dimesland is important to point out.  You have The Cavaleras, The Van Halens, The Hoffmans, Vitek and Vogg, Dimebag and Vinnie Paul and I am probably forgetting a lot of others but in writing this review I became aware that one of the guitarists of Dimesland Drew Cook passed away this past May. Drew’s brother Nolan is the other guitarist in Dimesland.  Prior to finding this out I will say I was quite blown away by what a unique debut record Psychogenic Atrophy is and can only imagine how these guys are working through this situation and what that in mind I am going to try and paint the best picture of Dimesland as I can.

Featuring members from bands like The Residents and Wild Hunt, Dimesland describe themselves as, “abstract metal” Dimesland have a unique sense of playing technical. The opening track, “Are They Cannibals?” reminds me completely of a hybrid Voivod and Matyr. Both of those bands feature the great Daniel Mongrain.  The vocal work reminds me a great deal of Mongrain’s.  There are so many tempo changes going on here and I can definitely here some Atheist influence here.  In terms of most of the record one thing I like is that there are not a lot of guitar solos.  There is so much going on already that it would feel like information overload although there are some guitar solos on Psychogenic Atrophy and where they are they are well placed.

Psychogenic Atrophy is a near forty minute trip of technical execution. I don’t think I would call them Progressive Death or Thrash but they combine those elements along with some Deathspell Omegaesque break sections. I think if you like Atheist, Voivod, Martyr and even Deathspell Omega then this might be right up your alley.  Dimesland bring a unique approach to “technical” metal and are not necessarily the flashiest of bands that play this style but they definitely find away of creating unique song arrangements that although have elements of others that have done the style before Dimesland have a unique presentation and thus making this a surprising listen.

[Visit the band's website]

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