Machinery - Degeneration
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Published Jan. 07 2007
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Genre |
Thrash Metal |
Michel Isberg
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Vocals
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Tracks |
9 |
Michel Isberg
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Guitar
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Runningtime |
46 Min. |
Markus Isberg
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Guitar
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Label |
Last
Entertainment Prod. |
Per Lindström
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Bass
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Release |
16 Oct. 2006 |
Johan Westman
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Drums
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Country |
Sweden |
Fredrik Klingwall
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Keyboard
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Similar artists |
Morgana Lefay,
Annihilator, Nevermore |
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Degeneration is the thrashing debut from Swedish band
Machinery, a band that formed in 2001 and has done about four demos
prior to this full-length album. Some of the tracks from the bands demos
can be found on Degeneration, and the band has also been featured on
the compilation Thrashing The Masses Vol. 1 released by their label.
Have you ever searched for the missing link between Nevermore
and Morgana Lefay? Well, neither have I but here it is in the shape
of Degeneration from Machinery. This is a distinct hybrid between thrash
and heavy metal with a good sense for melodies as well as with a technical
approach and with, partly, almost progressive rhythms. Degeneration,
the title song, is a good median value of the album as it starts with
a heavy ongoing rhythm with explosive riffing that leads to a melodic
chorus with a great flow and a song that combines aggression with emotion
and a technical playing.
Machinery does a good work with making the album come
out sounding varied and thought through, it has a raw and sharp edge
combined with a good sense for melodies and a guitar-playing that at
times seems to be heavily influenced by Jeff Loomis from Nevermore.
However, I wonder if the biggest strength does not come with vocalist
Michael Isberg. He has a dynamic way of singing and knows how to make
good use of his vocal chords. As well as he at times goes to an almost
growling mood, he also and mostly sing with a clear and harsh voice
and when he in the track River Red sounds really close to Charles Rytkönen
of Morgana Lefay, I am loving it.
River Red is further a track that is a bit held back speed-
and fury wise and hence more nuances in the music from Machinery comes
forward. Another song worthy of mentioning is Unholy Demon with its
Nevermore heavy riffing, and I also am getting a touch of Mercenary
with the shared vocals between growls and clean, and moreover the little
epic touch the song has. To end this, it is to be said that it is well
balanced with the guitars as they are not overdoing anything, they are
good with throwing in variations in the riffs, and the playing in the
leads and solo parts are of remarkable high class.
On the sad note the production sounds a bit thin in my
ears, I would have prefered a richer, more dynamic sound as it tends
to sound a bit weak as it is now. Even though this album does not make
me fly through the roof, it is a mature effort and I can easily see
this band getting some recognition in the future. Degeneration is very
promising for a debut as no tracks feel like fillers as you listen to
and enjoy them all.
Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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Summary
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