Greg Puciato is something of a chameleon. His career may have taken off with the chaotic mathcore explosions of The Dillinger Escape Plan, which expanded into jazz, noise, electronics and even ambient music, but since their dissolution he’s only become more unpredictable and prolific.
Not content with the softer electronics of his project The Black Queen, he’s worked with Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, formed the supergroup Killer Be Killed and, deep breath, still found time to release two of his own solo albums.
The second of those is ‘Mirrorcell’, which has roots in his Cantrell collaborations as well as Puciato’s own idiosyncrasies.
It delves into grungier territory than previous outing ‘Child Soldier: Creator of God’ as well as moving further afield. Opener In This Hell You Find Yourself is unsettling in its minimalist motif, before Reality Spiral dials up the alt-rock and winding vocal hooks.
There are further left turns scattered throughout. Lowered features a guest appearance from Reba Meyers of metallic hardcore heavyweights Code Orange, with a collision of styles that deliberately defies expectations. Drawing from shoegaze and even moments of dream-pop, its melodies soar over the shimmering guitars. We throws another poppy curveball, with synths quietly draped over a soft, moody number.
It’s in this second half, especially on closer All Waves To Nothing, that ‘Mirrorcell’ reaches its heaviest, as moments reminiscent of Cave In collide with post-punk in its near-nine minute sprawl, even veering close to Dillinger territory. It marks a second peak for the album after Lowered, once more showing the breadth of genres in Puciato’s arsenal. ‘Mirrorcell’ is restlessly creative without ever sounding incoherent, and is unified by Puciato’s singular creative vision.
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