#149 - The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity

#149 - The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity

From Riff Worship by Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, and Justin Swindle

April 9, 2026 · 1h 22m · Episode 149

About this episode

This episode explores the origin and impact of The Dillinger Escape Plan's debut album, Calculating Infinity.

In this episode of Riff Worship, we dive deep into the origin story and explosive impact of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s 1999 debut full-length, Calculating Infinity! Born out of the ashes of the New Jersey band Arcane, Dillinger set out to create something deliberately alienating and strange by blending elements of free-jazz, progressive metal, and new-school hardcore. We explore the challenging and tragic circumstances that shaped the record, including the sudden departure of key members, Ben Weinman tackling nearly all the guitars and bass arrangements himself, Chris Pennie pushing his drumming to inhuman speeds and skill, and the 14-day recording sessions at Trax East with producer Steve Evetts. From setlist staples like “Sugar Coated Sour” and “43% Burnt” to the wildly experimental “4th Grade Dropout,” please join us in celebrating a metalcore classic! Recommendations: The Dillinger Escape Plan - Irony Is a Dead Scene Crouch - Breaking The Catatonic State ANGELL - Unveiled Harm's Way Convicted - No Compassion No Remorse Double Crossed - Your Attitude Bites Few and the Proud - Stampede Wolfnote - Demo 2013 XweaponX - Weapon X Demo Follow Riff Worship Instagram…

People in this episode

Hosts: Austin Paulson, Dylan Adams, Justin Swindle

Topics covered

  • metalcore
  • music history
  • album analysis
  • The Dillinger Escape Plan
  • Calculating Infinity
  • progressive metal
  • hardcore

Keywords

  • The Dillinger Escape Plan
  • Calculating Infinity
  • metalcore
  • album analysis
  • Ben Weinman
  • Chris Pennie
  • music history
  • progressive metal
  • hardcore

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Arcane

Books & works: Calculating Infinity

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