One of Us Is the Killer
The Dillinger Escape Plan · 2013
40 min · 11 tracks · mathcore
Fractured rhythms and chaotic melodies collide with haunting vocals, creating a relentless exploration of tension and emotional turmoil.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
One of Us Is the Killer — This title track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of identity and conflict through jagged riffs and dynamic shifts, making it a quintessential Dillinger composition.
-
→
Hero of the Soviet Union — The track stands out for its frenetic energy and dissonant melodies, showcasing the band's ability to blend chaos with lyrical introspection about power and history.
-
→
Understanding Decay — This song features an emotional depth rarely found in such aggressive music, using contrasting quiet passages that reflect on personal loss amidst explosive instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's complex structures and dynamic contrasts make it a standout in mathcore, though it has some pacing issues.
What we noticed
- The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks frequently shifting from chaotic sections to quieter, more melodic interludes.
- Vocals alternate between harsh screams and clean singing, often within the same song, creating a dynamic contrast.
- The final track ends with a prolonged ambient outro that contrasts sharply with the preceding intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- relentless energy throughout tracks
- intricate rhythms for detail seekers
- steady pace for focused engagement
- chaotic melodies for adventurous listeners
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soothing, calm sounds
- seek standalone track variety
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, One of Us Is the Killer marked The Dillinger Escape Plan's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed album Option Paralysis. By this time, the band had solidified their influence in the mathcore genre, combining complex time signatures with aggressive soundscapes. The album came after a period of lineup stability, showcasing their matured sound while continuing to push the boundaries of heavy music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Converge· Botch· Every Time I Die
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Understanding Decay
The lyrics shift from vivid imagery of decay to a stark confrontation with mortality and loss.
This transition creates an unsettling juxtaposition that deepens the emotional weight of the song, moving from abstract visuals to a raw personal reckoning.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prancer 3:52
- 2 When I Lost My Bet 3:52
- 3 One of Us Is the Killer 3:28
- 4 Hero of the Soviet Union 2:59
- 5 Nothing’s Funny 3:25
- 6 Understanding Decay 3:48
- 7 Paranoia Shields 4:26
- 8 CH 375 268 277 ARS 2:32
- 9 Magic That I Held You Prisoner 2:49
- 10 Crossburner 5:04
- 11 The Threat Posed by Nuclear Weapons 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.