Machinemade God - Masked
Metal Blade - SPVCD 081-105542 - 27th August 2007
By Paddy Walsh
German metalcore bruisers Machinemade God attempt to raise their heads above the ever-expanding parapet of similar bands on the group's sophomore effort Masked. As it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish one metalcore outfit froim the next, it's heartening to see that Machinemade God have at least made a token effort to stand out, seeing fit to include occasional orchestral flourishes to proceedings, as seen on opener 'Forgiven'. Machinemade God are certainly at the more polished end of this type of thing, and thei sound sound is best likened to latter-period In Flames, the clean vocals and staccato riffing being particularly reminiscent of the oft-referenced Swedes. Masked is by all means a competent recording, yet for all its chunky riffs, sing along choruses and immaculate production, this album is still devoid of any true standout tracks to lift this above its contemporaries. Furthermore, the band fail to capitalise on some of their better ideas properly, such as the aforementioned hints at orchestration. 'Forgiven' turns out to be the album's best track, mainly because of its stirring intro which segues brilliantly into an all-out riff-fest. Most of Masked is a retread of said opening track, the band sticking fairly rigidly to the oh-so familiar metalcore formula. Machinemade God are therefore a band who, whilst being somewhat a cut above many of their peers, still fall somewhat short of kicking the requisite amount of ass needed to make this a must-buy. Attempts at originality amount to nothing for a band like this without the hooks to go along with it, and sadly Machinemade God are still well shy of them.
Official Machinemade God Website
Official Metal Blade Website
Metal Blade - SPVCD 081-105542 - 27th August 2007
By Paddy Walsh
German metalcore bruisers Machinemade God attempt to raise their heads above the ever-expanding parapet of similar bands on the group's sophomore effort Masked. As it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish one metalcore outfit froim the next, it's heartening to see that Machinemade God have at least made a token effort to stand out, seeing fit to include occasional orchestral flourishes to proceedings, as seen on opener 'Forgiven'. Machinemade God are certainly at the more polished end of this type of thing, and thei sound sound is best likened to latter-period In Flames, the clean vocals and staccato riffing being particularly reminiscent of the oft-referenced Swedes. Masked is by all means a competent recording, yet for all its chunky riffs, sing along choruses and immaculate production, this album is still devoid of any true standout tracks to lift this above its contemporaries. Furthermore, the band fail to capitalise on some of their better ideas properly, such as the aforementioned hints at orchestration. 'Forgiven' turns out to be the album's best track, mainly because of its stirring intro which segues brilliantly into an all-out riff-fest. Most of Masked is a retread of said opening track, the band sticking fairly rigidly to the oh-so familiar metalcore formula. Machinemade God are therefore a band who, whilst being somewhat a cut above many of their peers, still fall somewhat short of kicking the requisite amount of ass needed to make this a must-buy. Attempts at originality amount to nothing for a band like this without the hooks to go along with it, and sadly Machinemade God are still well shy of them.
Official Machinemade God Website
Official Metal Blade Website
