On a Dead Machine "s/t" CD
[self-released]
Damn, this is interesting... the artwork really looks more like something you'd get on a weird industrial metal band's demo, so I honestly though it was going to be absolute garbage, but this is pretty fuckin' good. I guess you'd call it, and bear with me here, metallic emo/indie rock? That really does describe it... there are obviously elements of metal and hardcore involved, but it's neither. And it leans more towards emo/indie rock, but it's far heavier and more distorted, so it's not that either... it really is a literal mix of the related genres. Expect vocals that shift effortlessly from excellent screams to fucking slick singing with the occasional harmony line (and the singing is pretty damn unique, I love it) and music that's constantly swaying from distortion to clean tones (or a mix of the two) without ever abandoning melody. Clearly certain passages are more laidback than others, but it's never wimpy or anything. At times the rhythms get a little chunkier or throw down some dissonant chords, but it's not derivative at all, which is what I like the most. I can't compare them to anyone... but it's not completely alien or anything. It's just good, original music. Even the production is strong. The vocals are slightly out front, but I can live with that... it's a demo, after all. The drumming is nice and forceful with great fills and patterns and just the right amount of flare, not to mention natural drum tones, you can make out the bass in the center, the guitars are dense and have enough clarity for all of the layering to be evident, etc. And yes, the thing looks pretty damn good too. The CD-R comes in a slim jewel case with full color artwork that appears to have been professionally printed, and the face of the disc also has a really high quality print job as well. No lyrics are included, likely due to space constraints. This kicks ass, though. I wish it was longer. Shit, I seriously listened to this thing three or four times straight right after I first threw it in, and I almost never do that with demos. Another band that needs to be signed immediately. And yes, I will be utterly disgusted, enraged, and dumbfounded at the hopeless state of music if this band doesn't get the opportunity to move on to better things. Check this out, kids. (8/10)
Running time - 11:15, Tracks: 3
[Notable tracks: all three are great, especially "Post-Modern Love"]
On a Dead Machine - http://www.onadeadmachine.com

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