11th May 2025

Review: “No Connections” by Dissociated

They say that the truth is often stranger than fiction in the case of Spanish Metalcore merchants Dissociated it definitely feels like its the case. How could a band with just a couple of singles floating in cyberspace go to the Philippines to open for Jinjer? That happened back in February with footage filmed at the show used in a music video for “Endless Waves“. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Nico Beninato (Ingested, Unbounded Terror, Consequence) at Kimera Recordings, the bands debut record finally arrives via Art Gates Records three months after that event took place. The promise is of a deeply introspective concept piece, addressing mental health, regret and emotional disconnection paired with music that breaks the chains of Metalcore in progressive, technical and aggressive fashion.

Born from the creative mind of vocalist Kevin Soto between 2019 and 2020 in Palma de Mallorca, it was between 2021 and 2022 when Dissociated really began to take shape. That was when Soto met guitarist and composer Raúl Muñoz Cuevas, the pair then fleshing out their line up as they forged their writing partnership. Joining them are bassist and vocalist Toni P. Sánchez and drummer Lucas. Listening to the almost ethereal melody at the start of “Self-Destructive Chains“, it’s almost impossible not to think something wicked this way comes. While it meanders a little longer than most, sure enough after 98 seconds the drumming kicks up a gear and DJent grooves hit like a Juggernaut broadsiding a truck on the freeway. As Soto roars, Dissociated reaching into the void and touching Deathcore on the opposite side with a 75 second burst of violence that some may have not seen coming. Sweeping the introduction away like a tidal wave the explosive grooves are as throat splitting as the vocals with obvious influences from bands like Reflections or Black Tongue. The blood continues to spill with title track “No Connections“, the four piece bringing thunderous percussion to tapped guitar parts, the shriller vocals from Soto those of someone who will shortly be ushered into the arms of a medic providing a straight jacket and a warm bed in an asylum. His lyrics are in English and there is nothing here to connect the band to their homeland, Muñoz heavy staccato riff breaks over ethereal synths sounding like they had involvement from Buster Odeholm.

Violent chugs bring “Endless Waves” to life with urgency, the despair of the harrowing lyrical narrative echoed in the voice of Soto and not lost in almost Slam inspired moments. He sounds unhinged during the non stop barrage of riffs from thick gauged strings played by calloused hands, the ambient textures of the electronic backing track only fuelling his perpetual agony. Sonically “Timeless Remorse” is the push that makes you move, the ocean deep DJent grooves an unstoppable force of nature. Tapped sections in the turn around fuel the fire before a melodic moment, the illusion shattered by a brutal mid track breakdown that decimates the weak. Soto’s voice is the single heaviest element overall, his demonic vocals as cathartic as they are visceral. There is a rich, haunting melody at the heart of “Lost in Traces” however you have to listen past the caustic vocals and abrasive guitars to find it, the dull ache of pain etched into its very soul and made worse by fleeting moments of spoken word. Spine juddering riffs flow with consummate ease as this polished Jewel gleams in the darkness and you wonder just how far this band can go with such punishing assaults on the senses… [8/10]

Track Listing