Release Date: 14 March 1994
Label: Skin Graft Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 036172601226
Genres: Rock
Release Date: 11 November 2016
Label: Skin Graft Records
Packaging Type: Gate Fold Vinyl
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 647216612018
Genres: Rock
Description
Was DAZZLING KILLMEN a hardcore band? A metal band? The world's gnarliest progressive-rock quartet?
"Yes" is the easy answer, but only because it's easy to rewind through two decades of genre fragmentation to hear Dazzling Killmen's influence on any number of "math-metal," "prog-core," and similarly classified bands. At the time, however, this St. Louis quartet occupied a genre of one. When SKiN GRAFT released the Killmen's 1994 sophomore album Face of Collapse that genre had it's touchstone."
- Excerpt from Aaron Burgess' liner notes
Nick Sakes, Darin Gray, and Blake Fleming formed Dazzling Killmen just outside of St. Louis, Missouri in 1990. The following year SKiN GRAFT Records made its debut with a 7" single and comic book set from the band. Shortly afterward, Tim Garrigan joined the group, and the quartet began writing and refining material for what would become the label's first, and the band's second and final full-length Face of Collapse.
"As the songs progress, Dazzling Killmen bends the music just short of the breaking point, creating a frenzy that is always on the verge. They're not linear melodies that arrive predictably in their neat little spaces. Rather there is a center to each song and in this space the band attempts to reach it from different directions. A phrase appears for a moment then vanishes and orbits around the next phrase, hovering and waiting for its next approach. Sometimes this center is the magnet that holds the whole shebang together. At other times the center cannot hold and the space collapses. It's during these moments that Dazzling Killmen floor me."
- Randall Roberts, LA Times (from the band's original press kit)
Loud Life at Alternative Press magazine declared it the top album of the '90s based on the following criteria: 1) Avoidance of formula or cliché; 2) Dexterity of rhythm section; 3) Quality of album's production values; 4) Lack of predictable lyrical subjects - Satan, Straightedge, Viking folklore, etc. "Sounds like Dave Bruebeck's Time Out played through Carcass' PA system." Face Of Collapse was a key influence on Dillinger Escape Plan: "Most of the great progressive underground bands of the '90s would not exist if it weren't for them."
- Ben Weinman
Spin Magazine called Blake Fleming one of the 100 Greatest drummers of alternative music; while Fact Magazine named the album one of the best post-metal records ever. Guitarist/ vocalist Nick Sakes went on to form Colossomite (with Ed and John of Deerhoof) and now performs in Xaddax. Blake founded Laddio Boloko and then The Mars Volta, while Tim Garrigan and Darin Gray formed You Fantastic! Darin is renowned for his work with Jim O'Rourke, including their bands Brise-Glace and Yona-Kit. Currently Darin performs with William Tyler and recently appeared on The Tonight Show in the band Tweedy, alongside Jeff of Wilco. Tim has started a new band, Skryptor, with David McClelland of Craw.
Finally, Jeff Economy is directing a new music video in support of Face Of Collapse. Jeff's video for Veruca Salt's "Seether" received MTV's highest degree of airplay and his work with Mudhoney is in the permanent collection of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tracklisting
Tracklisting
HYPER GAL
Cheer-Accident
Koenjihyakkei
Terms
Various Artists
Koenjihyakkei
HYPER GAL
Upright Forms
Dazzling Killmen
Dazzling Killmen
