What makes Under the Running Board by The Dillinger Escape Plan notable?

This EP garnered significant attention within the mathcore and hardcore scenes, laying the groundwork for the band's future influential works. Its aggressive style and complex structures contributed to a burgeoning interest in avant-garde metal, shaping the direction of heavy music in the late '90s. Released in 1998, Under the Running Board marks The Dillinger Escape Plan's debut EP, setting the stage for their chaotic sound and intricate songwriting. At this point, the band was still establishing their identity within the underground music scene, following the release of their demo earlier that year.

How many songs are on Under the Running Board?

Under the Running Board has 3 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

Released 28 years ago this October

Under the Running Board

The Dillinger Escape Plan · 1998

7 min · 3 tracks · mathcore

Frantic rhythms and dissonant melodies collide in an unrelenting cacophony that defines the mathcore genre.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Mullet Burden — This opening track encapsulates the band's chaotic energy with rapid tempo changes and intricate guitar work, showcasing their signature sound from the very start.
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Sandbox Magician — With its erratic time signatures and dynamic shifts, this track illustrates the band’s technical prowess while maintaining an underlying sense of urgency throughout.
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Abe the Cop — This song features a striking blend of melodic sections interspersed with intense breakdowns, reflecting the band's range and ability to manipulate tension effectively.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases intricate songwriting and a distinctive sound that influenced the mathcore genre.

What we noticed

The EP features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks shifting from frenetic bursts of energy to slower, dissonant passages.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and spoken word sections, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Mullet Burden 1:50
2 Sandbox Magician 2:31
3 Abe the Cop 3:12

What to play next

Listen next

Calculating Infinity

1999

Go back to

The Dillinger Escape Plan

1997

Full The Dillinger Escape Plan discography Where to start with The Dillinger Escape Plan Artists like The Dillinger Escape Plan

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata