chicago, illinois - august 24, 2024

For the first time in 8 years, New Jersey Mathcore outfit The Dillinger Escape Plan returned to Chicago to celebrate 25 years of their debut album Calculating Infinity, and proved that time had no effect on their technical capability. Earlier this year, they had announced one reunion show at the Brooklyn Paramount in New York, which quickly blossomed into a 3 night residency over a weekend in June, as 2 additional shows were added shortly after. With some small one-off festival appearances this year as well, last night marked The Dillinger Escape Plans only other headlining show within the U.S.A at none other than the iconic Salt Shed in Chicago, and, in the bands own words, “to honor the city where John Dillinger met his demise.”

I think what primarily surprised everyone about this reunion, was the fact that founding frontman Dimitri Minakakis would be joining them on this run. Minakakis, who exited the band in 2000, was replaced by Greg Puciato in 2001, who would go on to front the band until they disbanded in 2017. Minakakis even made it a point to reference this, stating mid-show that the last time he played in Chicago with Dillinger was in 1999, at the fabled Fireside Bowl. There even exists video of that show that you can watch here.

I was curious to see how things panned out with Dimitri back at the forefront. I was not fortunate enough to catch the incarnation of Dillinger with Puciato, but had seen more than enough videos to understand what made them such a powerful force during that time. It’s safe to say, nothing changed one bit. As soon as the band hit the stage, Minakakis was throwing himself into the crowd, hugging audience members like old family friends who he hadn’t seen in a long time, blowing kisses towards them, and screaming the lyrics to”Destro’s Secret” right in their faces, as the band launched into the frenzied, adrenaline pumping track.

Before I knew it, my 3 songs in the photo pit were up. I had decided to head up to behind the front of house to watch the chaos from afar. I also decided to take some time to look over some of my shots that I had just taken, and, by the time I had looked back up at the show, Minakakis was standing on a platform built all the way back at the front of house, screaming the words to “Jim Fear” as he greeted the people in the seats at the back of The Salt Shed.

The band, playing through Calculating Infinity in its entirety, also treated fans to some tracks off their Under The Running Board and self-titled EPs, but my personal favorite was their cover of Aphex Twin’s “Come To Daddy”, which they had originally recorded with Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton in 2002, this time featuring Minakakis on vocals.

The Dillinger Escape Plan brought Chicago an unforgettable night at the Salt Shed. Whether they plan on reincarnating with Minakakis on vocals for good, or going back into inactivity after this is unknown, but those who were in attendance last night were unbelievably fortunate to experience pioneers of the mathcore genre in their element once more. The band closed out with their infamous track “43% Burnt”, as they dominated Chicago one more time.