Opening their highly-anticipated three-piece of California dates, touching down in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco, mathcore champions The Dillinger escape Plan set a devastating precedent for the first of the trio of dates. Taking on an amped capacity crowd at The Belasco, the line-up featuring original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, executed a clinic in live chaos. 

Keeping the focus in the band's celebrated early works in Under the Running Board and Calculating Infinity, cuts like "Sandbox Magician" and "The Mullet Burden" paired with "Sugar Coated Sour" and "Destro's Secret" to pummel the room - if not with pure sonics, the band's explosive stage energy finished 'em off. 

In addition to the masterclass in mathcore, Dillinger ensured they pulled out all the stops for their California stretch, sliding in a handful covers to showcase real range. Asserting the band's affinity for industrial, Ministry's "Just One Fix" along with Aphex Twin's "Come to Daddy" added to the highlights of the evening, all working up to a finale that has since become the buzz of the weekend. 

Making a special appearance to help Dillinger complete their takeover, former Every Time I Die vocalist Keith Buckley joined the band for thunderous rendition of "Wish" from Nine Ince Nails - a live feat Dillinger hadn't pulled off in nearly a decade. With fans still on the ropes, Buckley extended his stay by joining Minakakis for a climatic closing in "43% Burnt" that ensured this night would go down in the books. 

Check the gallery of images from Maurice Nunez below. 

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN

CYNIC

DEAF CLUB