The Dallas Motorcade, a rock/punk/metal band from Chicago, wastes no time making it known that they are serious musicians with an undeniable urge to rock the world and everyone in it. The album Suffer In Silence encompasses a vast array of genres and influences ranging from classic rock to modern day punk rock with a metal edge. Insightful and intelligent lyrics coupled with years of musical experience bring forth the best in all the members of this collective, as is evidenced by this exceptional 13-track debut album.
“Prelude To Damnation” starts it off in a rather deceptive fashion. The listener is treated to a mellow, psychedelic vibe that has a somewhat sinister undertone. There is a feeling that something big is coming, and The Dallas Motorcade gives it to us with the powerful beginning of “Judgment.” This is a brilliant way to introduce the masses to this album; a darkly soft minute-long intro and then a roundhouse kick with the opening guitar of the following track.
It is clear from the beginning of “Judgment” that this band is all about hard-core rock and punk, but there is also a flair of something heavier, barely bordering on the death metal scene. The intricacies of this song are fascinating and the guitar work is jaw-dropping. The vocalist, Timmy Olson, ranges from post-punk melodic shouting to death metal growling with ease and confidence. His voice has a curiously familiar sensation to it, like it’s been heard a million times before, and yet it is so uniquely different, and works so well with his supporting cast, that even though the listener might feel like this music has been heard many times before, there is obviously something more here.
If you take a bit of Godsmack, add a touch of Against Me with an AFI flair, you get a decent idea of what The Dallas Motorcade sound is like, but that doesn’t even begin to encompass it. You could also blend in just a touch of Rob Zombie, some Wednesday 13, and something that is wholly and uniquely The Dallas Motorcade, and there you have the recipe for some balls to the wall, head-banging, guitar-screaming, full-on rock. “This is What Happens” and “Slug” are perfect examples of this. Timmy hits hard with his powerful vocals in “Slug” as he sings “I liked you better dead.” Those are some strong lyrics made even more forceful by the fierce delivery and the face-paced tempo of this piece.
The guys tone it down a notch with “A Night in the Life,” which is a love song of sorts with a catchy hook that keeps it from being too soft. AFI fans will be delighted with this collaboration and The Dallas Motorcade fans will be delighted with the range of Timmy’s vocals as he hits the high notes while the backing vocals help him along. The harmonizing in this track is excellent and the musicianship, especially the guitar work, is fantastic. Truly, one of the fan-pleasers on the album – a great number to perform live while the crowd sings along. “Shanna” packs a punch and gives the listener a taste of something different. This piece allows the drummer, Kyle Richards, to show the fanbase what he’s got. Will Ash on bass gets to strut his stuff as well, and as always, Mike Scarlata and Mat Warrenfeltz rock it out with their incredible guitar work. As a whole, “Shanna” encompasses each member of the band and they all get their chance to shine in this track.
Suffer In Silence marches on with “Johnny Black,” a stellar track with some of the best instrumentation on the album yet, and “Won’t Be Sleep,” which changes things up with a slow tempo bass line to open. Both tracks are equally innovative and ingenious piece that far surpass some of the more well-known names in the music world today. The Dallas Motorcade does a phenomenal job of sounding modern while still retaining some of the old school music that the band members surely grew up listening to. This is a feat that not many bands can carry off, but they do it consistently well as is evidenced by “Gross Negligence.” This track has the modern feel of Rise Against, and once more, the lead guitarist outdoes himself. Seeing a song like this performed live would be a fascinating experience.
They begin to wind the album to a close with “When I Bleed” and “No One”. These two tracks are just as heavy and hard-core as the rest of the album, especially “When I Bleed”, while “No One” could be deemed a softer melody. Once more, the band comes together to create a musical masterpiece with clarity and vision. Suffer In Silence closes with “Journey to Valhalla” and The Dallas Motorcade go out in style. Marching drums lead the way to guitar work that could conceivably make Slash jealous. The closing track is dramatic and heavy, with tones of early Type O Negative. The band changes it up though, and this piece clearly demonstrates the artistic brilliance that is harbored within the minds of this collective. From dramatic and heavy to melodious and melancholy, “Journey to Valhalla” is by far the most intricate of all the tracks on Suffer In Silence and it belies the breadth of talent and diversity that The Dallas Motorcade has tapped into.
The band has succeeded not only in reaching a vast array of music lovers from many different genres, but also setting the bar high for other bands, some of whom have already made it into the national spotlight. The Dallas Motorcade has given those bands something to strive for, and music aficionados should take heed. These guys have only just begun.
Review by Rhonda Readence
