User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 131
  2. Negative: 28 out of 131

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  1. KentG.
    Mar 26, 2010
    10
    A must for all DEP fans. These guys know how to blend jazz metal and punk all the while keeping things interesting with pounding rhythms that are powerful enough to start a perpetual motion machine. I know a lot of people will not immediately dig this band or album. DEP always put out material that challenges the listener to develop a sort of memory to guide them through their listening A must for all DEP fans. These guys know how to blend jazz metal and punk all the while keeping things interesting with pounding rhythms that are powerful enough to start a perpetual motion machine. I know a lot of people will not immediately dig this band or album. DEP always put out material that challenges the listener to develop a sort of memory to guide them through their listening experience. If you have a tough stomach and an appetite for good music you should check out this album. Expand
  2. BradC.n
    Mar 23, 2010
    10
    This is one of the most talented and ground breaking bands out there today. This record maintains the intensity of Calculating Infinity while still branching out in so many different directions. Such a brilliant band.
  3. RyanL
    Mar 25, 2010
    10
    An incredible album. I think everyone should give this a listen. Wow.
  4. FranciscoB.
    Mar 24, 2010
    10
    It has taken me quite some time to digest the newest offering from the mighty Dillinger Escape Plan, entitled Option Paralysis. Now, after about twenty-five concentrated listening sessions, I feel it
  5. Oct 16, 2010
    10
    Best record of the year by far. Honest, real, original, refreshing, arresting, provocative, and thought provoking. Who could ask for anything more. From the the first note to the last exhausting scream, this record takes you on a ride that most musical outfits would sell their sole to the devil to be able to create.
  6. Apr 1, 2013
    10
    Not only the best metal album of 2010, but also one of the most varied, creative, and thoroughly enjoyable works from and metal band to be released in the last decade. The instrumentals are as chaotic and complex as ever, Greg shows off his vocal range like never before, and the lyrics are engaging and personal. There is not a single bad track on the album; from the unrelenting onslaughtNot only the best metal album of 2010, but also one of the most varied, creative, and thoroughly enjoyable works from and metal band to be released in the last decade. The instrumentals are as chaotic and complex as ever, Greg shows off his vocal range like never before, and the lyrics are engaging and personal. There is not a single bad track on the album; from the unrelenting onslaught that are the heavier tracks like Good Neighbor, to the majestic and emotional Widower, to the tracks that perfectly fuse standard hard rock and mathcore like Gold Teeth On A Bum, Chinese Whispers, and Farewell Mona Lisa, Dillinger hits every note perfectly. Only complaint is that Parasitic Twins is a somewhat awkward track to end the album on. I feel that Widower would have had a much greater impact as the finale. Other than that, this album is phenomenal. A must buy for any progressive metalcore/ mathcore fan. Expand
  7. Feb 9, 2023
    10
    En mi opinión, Option Paralysis es el mejor album de todos los tiempos, junto a Ire Works justamente. La elaboración musical, la técnica y la amplitud del horizonte sonoro están en otro nivel. Explora los extremos de lo que una banda de música experimental puede ofrecer, desde lo más intimista y melódico, hasta lo más agresivo y caótico. Matemáticamente calculado aunque con una sensaciónEn mi opinión, Option Paralysis es el mejor album de todos los tiempos, junto a Ire Works justamente. La elaboración musical, la técnica y la amplitud del horizonte sonoro están en otro nivel. Explora los extremos de lo que una banda de música experimental puede ofrecer, desde lo más intimista y melódico, hasta lo más agresivo y caótico. Matemáticamente calculado aunque con una sensación de total espontaneidad. Expand
  8. Jon
    Mar 29, 2010
    9
    I like Ire Works better, but only marginally. This is awesome.
  9. PatrickW.
    Mar 23, 2010
    9
    Its pretty awesome. Think calculating infinity's intensity plus miss machines wider musical range.
  10. KurtP
    Mar 24, 2010
    9
    This is quite a good album. In short, it's what Ire Works should have been; there are a number "catchy" songs, i say that by dillinger's standards, and some classic dillinger that we all fell is love with. Do no listen to the number from the users on here, it's not a reflection of what the fans think. For reference, I would give Ire Works a 7.
  11. SamS.
    Mar 23, 2010
    9
    Great theme, great imagery, and absolutely mind-blowing delivery. Dillinger proves better than ever that they can be tame as well as absolutely earthshatteringly brutal.
  12. Jan 21, 2022
    9
    TDEP are a warranty. Every album they released was absolutely mind blowing.
  13. Aug 21, 2010
    7
    Flat out amazing guitar play.

    Lyrics and melody missing make you think of how much better each track could be if they slowed down just slightly. Gold Teeth Bum and Widower are prime examples that slowing it down just slightly actually adds more to the album.
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Revolver
    80
    On their fourth full-length and first on their own label, jazz-spazz-metal epileptics the Dillinger Escape Plan re-embrace the all-killer, no-filler attitude that made their earlier albums and EPs so simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. [Mar/Apr 2010, p.88]
  2. Mojo
    60
    The confrontational quintet dare to seek out melody and explore a new-found subtlety on an otherwise exhaustingly visceral ride. [May 2010, p. 95]
  3. Alternative Press
    90
    Dissonant strings, clasical piano and eerie quiet spells infuse the album with a wird, roiling darkness that gets under your skin rather than filleting your skull. The result is more dramatic than any Dillinger release this decade--and more powerful because of it. [Apr 2010, p124]