It has been a year since the final notes of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s final live performance of their twenty-year career rang out at a sweaty, bloodstained, tears and beers soaked Terminal Five in New York City. While bands reunite all the time and no one should ever say “never”, this one retirement is pretty final. Ghost Cult staff was in attendance all three nights for the final dates of their illustrious career, it still felt so surreal at the time. As Ghost Cult scribe Hans Lopez penned so eloquently in his review of 2016’s Dissociation (Party Smasher Inc.) Dillinger was one of the most polarizing, but also most important bands of all time. Those final shows were performances for the ages. Thoughtfully planned, immaculately performed, with the highest levels of musicianship, a total disregard for the human condition, and most of all fun. Dillinger proved in the final throws of ecstasy and art that music can be dangerous, fun, and emotional all at once, without selling out or sacrificing anything. Our worlds are still rocked a year later., and no, it’s still not okay that they are gone. Thanks for the bruises on our bodies and scars in our minds, Dillinger Escape Plan. Continue reading →