Whether you call it tech-metal or mathcore, it's a style of music that has captivated the head-bangers of the world. Gone are the days of the traditional and straightforward songwriting of Metallica and Slayer, they have handed over the reigns to the next generation led by the likes of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Mastodon. And following right on the heels of their success is Canada's pride of metal, The End.
With their second release and first full-length, Within Dividia, The End hit you like a locomotive traveling a hundred miles an hour. "These Walls" opens in a fury of double bass, as performed by Anthony Salajko, and the speeding out of control, yet carefully executed guitar-work of duo Steve Watson and Andrew Hercules. Two thoughts immediately come to mind. The first: "This is some of the most proficient and technically complex drumming I've heard since Calculating Infinity." The second: "I didn't know good music came out of Canada." While the second may just seem like a witty remark, seriously think back to the music that Canada has given us: Bryan Adams, Avril Lavigne, Kittie, Alanis Morissette, and Nelly Furtado. The horrific atrocities that these artists have committed quickly melt away as The End assault your ears with devastating yet meticulously written music that is reminiscent of Meshuggah's Chaosphere. Vocalist Aaron Wolff may be new to the band, he joined shortly after the bands first release, but his harsh screams are a perfect fit. Not everything is an aural assault, "The Sense of Reverence" and "Orthodox Unparalleled" are atmospheric interludes that separate the walls of noise from each other. Without these passages, the album might as well been recorded as one track. Perhaps the most unique aspect is the lyrical content. Within Dividia is a concept album that follows the bizarre events of the residents of the Dividia estate. The lyrics are rather disturbing and tell a tale that easily could be and probably has been portrayed in a b-horror film.
Regardless of what I may say, some are going to consider The End to be nothing more than a second-rate Dillinger Escape Plan. While this is a likely comparison, there is more to Within Dividia than just off-tempo changes and phenomenal drumming.
