Manmachine
Initialized
4.5
Odd use of keys that create an almost bouncy, but certainly surreal feel coupled with death grunts define Manmachine’s sound. It’s like combining the industrial element of Rammstein, symphonic black metal atmospherics, raspy death vocals, and simple guitar riffs. The secondary hope is that it makes for an unrivaled listening experience, and Initialized achieves that fairly easily, but the primary hope is that those differing elements gel together to form something not only untraditional but pleasurably so. While there are moments of near greatness, the combination will more than likely prove grating to most listeners.
Too often flat and played with little passion, the five songs that comprise this EP are not going to make you pump your fists. You might nod your head a bit because, as stated before, it's pretty bouncy music, but aside from moments on “Drowned in Sorrow” and “Modern Predator,” Manmachine’s members lack the focus to produce much more than a schizophrenic mishmash of modern morbidity. “Modern Predator” is the only complete example of where the group’s approach really works, and as it happens, it’s one of the more light-sounding tracks due to the main riff’s tone.
Just listen to Rammstein and play some atmospheric instrumental black metal in the background to get a better version of what Manmachine has recorded here. To make themselves a more compelling band, they’re going to have to open their sound by incorporating either more complex riffs or a few additional instrumental layers because the minimalist approach falls flat.
