As a global music community, we have been blessed to live in a time when The Dillinger Escape Plan existed. The expectation of everything post Dissocation set the bar ridiculously high. With Greg’s The Black Queen and his first solo record he has gradually been building a new reputation and as Mighty Boosh once said he has been ‘searching for the new sound’. Recent years are not necessarily built on head splitting, faeces throwing action but a look into Greg’s record collection and mind. First record Child Soldier: Creator of God and the audio/visual delight of Fuck Content were scattered but an accomplished array of styles. Fans have been yearning to see him live in the flesh again but his attentive, hard work has brought us to his second solo effort.
Chaotic guitars build feedback from opening instrumental ‘In This Hell You Find Yourself’ launching into the literal ‘Reality Spiral’. A riff which plays heavily on the Jerry Cantrell connection Greg has. Swooning guitar lines as his recognisable vocals kick in. Smooth yet powerful like a morning coffee. ‘No More Lives to Go’ continues in a similar vein swiftly proving that this is a more consistent, focused, and better sequenced record than his first solo record. In relation, ‘Never Wanted That’ explores his softer touch. Beautiful warm guitar tones fill the air backing his caramel vocals. Intersected by one of the many improvised solos. A truly sumptuous highlight.
Even though Greg appears to stay to a tighter path that his vast influences can offer ‘Lowered’ brings striking variety. Reba Meyers of Code Orange guests to deliver a fierce but harmonious duet. The two intertwine and switch between lead and backing, perfectly synchronised and feeding off each other’s energy. The passing of the baton from a one legend to the next generation. ‘We’ steps slightly back into The Black Queens territory. A sound bath of electronics and synths with hushed vocals are food for the soul and a perfect halfway point before we are led out on the heavier end of the record.
‘I, Eclipse’ opens with a dirty bass groove, dark and mysterious over a foggy landscape. Continuing the quietened vocals which build into roars ‘I feel done with everything!’ a peer into the veiled personal themes. The track gradually rises sonically as the passion oozes through vocal chords and every instrument.
A ‘stadium rock’ moment comes with penultimate track ‘Rainbows Underground’. Huge guitars and thunderous drums over a driving bass. You can feel the gritted teeth and emotion in Greg’s voice. Surging with urgency towards the end with beauty and the beast layered vocals. Lusting into the finale ‘All Waves to Nothing’ which is closer to his best-known work. The anguish in his voice as he screams to the world ‘I don’t really feel!’ is brutal. Suddenly we are flipped to his alter-ego of stunning vocals and guitar solos. This encapsulates his work stupendously.
Greg already had an insane reputation, but this furthers his kudos as a standalone songwriter. This delivers everything you wanted but didn’t know you needed from him. On the other hand it is all so familiar. Regardless, it is definitely a further leap in his own work that stands up against his well regarded history as a musician. With the recent announcement of a first live show proper under his solo guise, hopefully we can all catch this modern day legend in action performing Mirrorcell.