At first glance, the name Dub Trio might inspire thoughts of Lee “Scratch” Perry or King Tubby….and at times that is exactly what this Brooklyn-based power trio brings. But as highly unlikely as their name might suggest, this well-schooled, well-oiled machine is as much a contemporary of Bad Brains and Dillinger Escape Plan as it is Perry, if not more. Well known in the session player’s circuit, these multi-faceted musicians are the live backbone for Mike Patton’s Peeping Tom, gave sometime with Yoko in the studio and have been touring with Matisyahu for a few years.
On their forth and latest release, appropriately named, IV, on RIOR Records, Dub Trio further explore its experimental metal/rock/punk/dub hybrid, leaving no stone unturned as this fully instrumental album is by far the band’s heaviest collection to date. And this is where the band excels.
IV starts out in full throttle with “En Passe”, mixing nasty riffs into their trademark dub styling’s before raining down a heart stopping crescendo of fury, not noise, but a well conceived and executed soul thrashing. Just as you catch your breath, “Noise” brings a take-no- prisoners approach, highlighting guitarists DP Holmes sonic fury, rich with color still concise enough to cut right through you.
“Swarm” and “Control Issue Controlling Your Mind”, the third and forth songs respectively, showcases what many people say about drummer Joey Tomino. He truly makes the drum kit sound like a marching army, in full force, heading into battle. His ability to play both dub and metal, in the methodical swells of frenzied beats, leaves you memorized. You know on this album, why Mr. Tomino is such a sought after session player. Violent and relentless as his styling’s’ might sound, Tomino is a virtuoso and a rhythmic genius.
At this point, “Ends Justify the Means” loses me a bit. This low-end, dub-step influenced ambient piece is florally appealing but seems out of place especially when sandwiched between “CICYM” and “Words”, a epic 8 minute collage of metal, dub and sludge, intertwined masterfully and slowly unwind. Blistering directly into “Patient Zero”, this metal bath comes out kicking and doesn’t stop once you hit the ground. Short and focused, it delivers a knockout blow quickly behind bassists Stu Brooks distorted and crushing bass licks.
“1:1.618” takes a different path. Layered with multiple instruments, patiently centered on taking many paths towards one common goal, almost meditative in purpose is a great ambient piece but seems out of context in the scope of the album. Maybe they should do a collection of pieces like “1:1.618”?
Finishing this fourth installment from Dub Trio is the mature and aptly named closer, “Thousand Mile Stare”. Using what sounds like a toy piano solo to intro with, the bands explodes right into a cluster of metal riffs, only to smoothly give way to a deep dub groove. What is most impressive about this song…is that it is a great closer to a great album, ending with a slow, prolonged unwinding, the type you might feel in reflection after some grandiose life adventure . You know, that moment of reflection where you get that “Thousand Mile Stare” off into no-man’s land and while shaking your head, you quietly say to yourself, “Wow, I can’t believe that just fuckin’ happened?” And at the moment, neither can I.
IV is by far one of the better albums I have heard this year and definitely the best from Dub Trio. Not for everyone though and at times off the wall, it is totally worth the risk and in my “Top Ten” of the year. Hell, without risk, who would ever have those “WTF!” moments.
~Johnny Blogger
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