Written by Kevin-Stewart Panko for TERRORIZER Magazine [UK] Sept 2003

Whenever word comes around about a new Relapse signing you probably do what I do and assume the latest signee will be another top notch extreme music act, not an instrumental math rock trio of formally trained musicians. Dysrhythmia take some influence from their label mates but also draw inspiration from D.C. hardcore, jazz fusion, New York noise rock, Rush, Captain Beefheart, and a variety of other musical sundries. Their third album (first for Relapse), 'Pretest', exposes a collision of three distinctive instrumentalists resulting in music possessing a boundless collection of sonic layers and they've just completed their ninth tour, despite looking like three guys who wouldn't be seen in the same room together.
"Yeah, it does play a huge part in how the music sounds." answers guitarist Kevin Hufnagel about his motley crew. "We all come from different backgrounds. Our drummer Jeff comes from jazz. Clayton (bass) studied classical composition, plays viola and likes a lot of alt-rock and early hardcore. I grew up full on into 80's thrash. When we write, those influences come out and it's difficult to finish a song because we're all hearing it differently."
Legend has it Dysrhythmia was a Relapse office favorite for a couple years before being signed on the strengths of their work ethic and live shows, where they've held their own against far more violent sounding bands.
"We've played with lots of heavy bands. In fact our first show ever was opening for Discordance Axis and Ruins. The show that got us signed to Relapse was with The Dillinger Escape Plan and Isis." laughs Hufnagel.
'Pretest' will undoubtedly be making an appearance in my year-end list, but one wonders if all of Dysrhythmia's DIY toil would have gone for nought had they and Relapse not shared a Philadelphia homebase?
"I've wondered that myself because I know how hard it is to get the attention of labels. I can't say it didn't work in our favour, but it never crossed my mind to approach Relapse. I thought we'd be a little too out of place, but when they expressed interest, I was like 'Whoa! Cool!'"