|
|
|
|
First of all, this is a very well produced demo. The vocals are at the forefront, the drums and cymbals are individually distinct, there is a definite bass presence, and the guitars are crisp and clear in the mix. This is a pretty solid effort musically speaking, but if I wanted to listen to Tool, I would listen to Tool. The vocals alternate between a very Maynard James Keenan croon to a nü-metallish hardcore rasp/yell/scream but as done by a Swede. There is a pretty even distribution between the two styles, but the Tool-ism is more pervasive. This four-piece band from Memphis, Tennessee is certainly riding high aloft the waves ushered forth by bands like Shadows Fall and Killswitch Engage and while there is definitely nothing new here, the music is solid and grooves well. My biggest complaint is certainly with the vocals sounding too much like the aforementioned Tool, albeit a bit more varied and more melodic. That being said, this is a band that might achieve a modicum of success in the crossover market because they play music that is alternatively groovy, harsh, catchy, and certainly metallic while being melodic, as I offered before. To the casual listener, i.e. the average metalhead, On A Dead Machine will necessarily be pigeonholed as nü-metal through and through. All in all, this is a solid demo that is well recorded and the music is pretty well done. I will volunteer that the vocalist should try to find his own sound as this particular mix of yelling and singing has all but been played out. I am, however, very thankful that he emulates Keenan rather than Jonathan Davis. It will be interesting to hear what their full length album and live show will be like. I could definitely see On A Dead Machine opening for Type O Negative as local support.
Brian Link – vocals
Ed Harris – drums
Adam Lucchesi – guitar
Hans Amelang – bass
| Tracklist |
| 1. The Morning After... |
| 2. Autograph |
| 3. Post-Modern Love |
: 11.15
| Buy other On A Dead Machine albums |
