After releasing their demo Mirth of Sorrow in 2003, Botswana's Wrust finally released their debut full length, Soulless Machine in 2007. Since the release of their demo, Roth and SBond (guitar and bass respectively) left the band to form Crackdust, presenting a great obstacle to this band that hails from a part of the world with a miniscule metal scene at best. But Wrust would let nothing stop them, and recruited a new bassist to record their debut CD Soulless Machine.
Soulless machine is a collection of 8 songs, with four of them having appeared on the 2003 demo, thus making for four old songs and four new songs. The old and new material is the same in style, but there is a discernable difference in composition. The new songs are generally composed of a greater number of riffs and the music is slightly more complex.
The album begins with the title track, which is one of the newer songs that did not appear on the demo. It is noticeably the fastest song on the album overall. Beginning with a simple death metal tremolo riff and aggressive drumming, it also incorporates slower paced, catchy riffing, more characteristic the bands general sound. Up next is the chugging, groove driven Kill or Be Killed, which is an expanded and improved version of the song that appeared on the demo, followed by the groovy, catchy Just a Sinner, which though being a new song, would not at all have sounded out of place on the demo.
Next up is Prophecy of Doom, which along with the title track, stands out to me as the best song on the album. A new song, it features more riffs and more variation in tempo and feel than most of the other songs. If this is any indication of the direction the band are headed, then they are headed in the right direction. Though simplicity is not a bad thing, it doesnt hurt the band to incorporate a greater number of riffs and greater variation like they do in this song.
Next are Run (an old song from the demo) and The Renegade. Both are mid/slower paced. And while Run is simplistic and catchy, The Renegade features a slightly awkward (though less simplistic) main riff, and is made up of a greater number of riffs than the older songs are. Next is Why Me, which is slower paced and a bit more gloomy and melancholic than the other songs on the album. The album closes with the chunky death metal of Cleansing Ritual; a good closer and my personal favorite of all the songs that also appeared on the demo.
Though not perfect, Soulless machine is a solid debut effort. The band may label themselves as death metal, but it may not be the most accurate description of the music. What we have here is not pure death metal, particularly the older material. Several of the songs are pure death metal songs, but some of them can only be described as extreme groove-oriented metal with elements of thrash and death. Stuxs vocals are not characteristic of death metal, either, though they are original and fit the music well. They are throaty and gruff, as opposed to death metal grunts, and at times sound a bit like Max Cavalera during his Sepultura days. The music is generally raw, dirty, and somewhat simplistic, making for an overall old school/retro feel. Soulless Machine is catchy, easy to get into, and very much a metal album. I am hooked, and am looking forward to hearing more material from the band in the near future.
Soulless machine is a collection of 8 songs, with four of them having appeared on the 2003 demo, thus making for four old songs and four new songs. The old and new material is the same in style, but there is a discernable difference in composition. The new songs are generally composed of a greater number of riffs and the music is slightly more complex.
The album begins with the title track, which is one of the newer songs that did not appear on the demo. It is noticeably the fastest song on the album overall. Beginning with a simple death metal tremolo riff and aggressive drumming, it also incorporates slower paced, catchy riffing, more characteristic the bands general sound. Up next is the chugging, groove driven Kill or Be Killed, which is an expanded and improved version of the song that appeared on the demo, followed by the groovy, catchy Just a Sinner, which though being a new song, would not at all have sounded out of place on the demo.
Next up is Prophecy of Doom, which along with the title track, stands out to me as the best song on the album. A new song, it features more riffs and more variation in tempo and feel than most of the other songs. If this is any indication of the direction the band are headed, then they are headed in the right direction. Though simplicity is not a bad thing, it doesnt hurt the band to incorporate a greater number of riffs and greater variation like they do in this song.
Next are Run (an old song from the demo) and The Renegade. Both are mid/slower paced. And while Run is simplistic and catchy, The Renegade features a slightly awkward (though less simplistic) main riff, and is made up of a greater number of riffs than the older songs are. Next is Why Me, which is slower paced and a bit more gloomy and melancholic than the other songs on the album. The album closes with the chunky death metal of Cleansing Ritual; a good closer and my personal favorite of all the songs that also appeared on the demo.
Though not perfect, Soulless machine is a solid debut effort. The band may label themselves as death metal, but it may not be the most accurate description of the music. What we have here is not pure death metal, particularly the older material. Several of the songs are pure death metal songs, but some of them can only be described as extreme groove-oriented metal with elements of thrash and death. Stuxs vocals are not characteristic of death metal, either, though they are original and fit the music well. They are throaty and gruff, as opposed to death metal grunts, and at times sound a bit like Max Cavalera during his Sepultura days. The music is generally raw, dirty, and somewhat simplistic, making for an overall old school/retro feel. Soulless Machine is catchy, easy to get into, and very much a metal album. I am hooked, and am looking forward to hearing more material from the band in the near future.
