Diecast Albums (4)
'Internal Revolution'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 11
Label Century Media
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What The Critics Say
Except for a temporary hiatus brought on by some major lineup changes, Diecast have been loyal, card-carrying, on time, dues-paying members of the "United New England Hardcore Metal Bands" union -- unlikely to be confused with the vast, recently franchised and still unproven masses crowding the factory floor, yet also still struggling to break out of the middle echelons to join union leaders like Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, and Shadows Fall. Which is a goofy way of saying that, for the most part, 2006's Internal Revolution is a two-sided affair. On the one hand, it offers the same, expertly performed but done-to-death genre trademarks heard on the previous year's Tearing Down Your Blue Skies, and about a thousand contemporary hardcore metal albums. Just listen to production line items like the title cut "Never Forget," "S.O.S.," or "Definition of a Hero," which essentially offer dull attempts to contrast dark and light: jagged-edged riffs versus sparkling six-string harmonies, acid-chortling croaked vocals versus soaring melodic choruses, furious bursts of thrashing intensity versus dead-stop-start bouts of silence, Godzilla versus Mothra -- you get the drift. On the other hand, there are promising signs of Diecast's concerted bid for uniqueness and (gulp!) maturity. Despite their unimaginative one-word titles (how grunge of them!), both "Fractured" and "Weakness" are the first to threaten that much hoped-for break with convention: the former by establishing a catchy rhythmic chug (almost worthy of Pantera) to go with a convincingly mournful soft bridge section; the latter by opening with a nifty display of semi-black metal speed-picking before stumbling on all of the usual clichés, only to be saved by a placid swirl of beautiful guitar notes (reminiscent of Testament's "Return to Serenity") that sends shivers up the spine. The sugary piano balladry of closer "The Coldest Rain," though likewise well-intentioned for attempting a novel approach, falls flat on its schmaltzy face, but with less shocking departures like "Hourglass," "Nothing I Could Say," and especially the standout "Fade Away," Diecast finally realize what wonders can be accomplished with less technical fireworks and a simply great chorus -- potentially seeing the light that will lead them forward. But, where Internal Revolution is concerned, that path remains at least partly covered in shadow, with flashes of brilliance piercing through. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'Tearing Down Your Blue Skies'
Release Date 10/19/2004
Tracks 11
Label Century Media
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What The Critics Say
Bostonians Diecast broke off a three-year silence in early 2005 with their third album, Tearing Down Your Blue Skies, and the backing from a new record label in metal superpower Century Media. They also unveiled a potent new weapon in rookie singer Paul Stoddard, whose impressive versatility sees him tackling everything from grunts to shouts, shrieks, and accomplished melodic singing with an effortless ease reminiscent of ex-Faith No More legend Mike Patton, at times. His instrumental teammates don't disappoint either, but it's important to note that their focus here is on songwriting economy and performance chops -- not taking the music in a thousand different directions at once. In fact, Diecast's songs are almost unfailingly disciplined with early highlights such as "Fire Damage," "Torn from Within," and "Saviour" succeeding as much for their tight-fisted, start-stop rhythmic barrage (approaching Helmet-like precision), as for their smart, melodic hooks. However, they also enjoy a full, undoubtedly "heavy metal" production job on par with contemporary, post-hardcore, post-nu-metal American metal bands such as Shadows Fall, God Forbid, and especially Killswitch Engage. Sure, their formula can't help but get a little tired during the album's second half, but there's also not a single outright stinker to be found here. Which leaves one feeling like Diecast may be just a few degrees away from achieving the boiling point in the very near future. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'Day of Reckoning'
Release Date 2/13/2001
Tracks 11
Label Now Or Never
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