The Pitch: Part four of our Mathcore Index inspired review series. Today we have the highly eclectic stylings of UK's II II II. FFO: The Number 12 Looks Like You, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sikth, Autocatalytica
What I Like: I feel like there's a reason that these guys opened up the MCI compilation. Not only are they among the most talented musicians in the lineup, but their sound definitely stands out. Shake up the above 3 bands and add a spritz of These Arms Are Snakes and you get something close to II II II. And to add to my amazement, I just noticed that these guys are only a duo; with Matt Baldwinson responsible for all of the instruments and Austin Sorrenti handling lyrics and vocals. That's a tall order for just two dudes. In any case, Frequency Illusion is a chaotic, almost psychodelic mathcore gem characterized by trippy vocals, catchy grooves, and shifting time signatures. The variation in vox alone is worthy of note. I hear glimmers of Greg Puciato, Steve Snere, Jesse Korman, and occasionally even Mike Patton all from one set of pipes. When complimented with the curiously proggy songwriting approach, II II II become something truly larger than life. Great lyrics too: "It’s so easy to avoid a life of fear, if you just avoid living life."
Critiques: I've got nothing. This is among the best albums of the year.
The Verdict: Of the hundreds of bands I have listened to in 2017, II II II may very well have the most personality of them all. There's just something so endearingly nostalgic about their sound while simultaneously being ruthlessly innovative. 100% must own album. Get it now for just 5 GBP (roughly $6.50).
Flight's Fav's: Artificial Idiocy, Recline and Fall, Hot Chance
-Review by FlightOfIcarus
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