Dredg is an art-rock band that definitely stands out among its contemporaries. Dredg has blurred boundaries since their inception in 1993 but The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion puts their skills in dramatic relief, combining all the raw power of their earliest records with the epic sweep of El Cielo and the exceptional songwriting of Catch Without Arms. It’s a statement of purpose that finds the Californian quartet embracing their new status as independent rockers, relishing the opportunity to try ideas that have been percolating for years. Aggressive and beautiful at once, visceral and thoughtful at the same time, Dredg are poised to be one of the best bands of the upcoming decade.