The Pill to Swallow

It is widely accepted that Pantera popularized that down-tempo blend of post-thrash metal known widely and deplorably as groove metal. They were also the only ones to make it somewhat bearable: something nearly all of their imitators have failed to do. Suffice it to say, I really fucking hate Pantera clones and I’d very much like all of the groove metal bands to either die off or find some other band to pilfer from. Though I must admit that Dimeless are actually far from the worst of the bunch, they still don’t stray too far from the tired and true formula that all of their contemporaries have been milking since 1992.

The best thing about this band and their EP The Pill To Swallow is that their singer does not (and I repeat, does not) try to imitate Phil Anselmo, for which I thank him endlessly. Other than that, there’s little variation to be found here. Each song features less than a handful of riffs that are recycled endlessly, as one would expect for 90’s-style thrash. There’re actually a few double time passages included as teasers (such as the wretched joke that is the one near the end of “Punk”), but that’s it. Really, there’s not much to this one, nor is there much to look forward to. Besides the nice production, the average guitar playing (rife with artificial harmonics), and the decent vocalist, The Pill To Swallow has very little going for it.

Dimeless is an ironic name for this band, as the lack of a formidable guitar player like Dimebag Darrell Abbott leaves the groove metal formula looking pretty bland at the end of the day. Hardcore Vulgar Display of Power fans might be able to stomach this. Everyone else, stay away.


Originally written for: http://www.metal-observer.com