This young Prog Rock band was formed in 2008 by singer/ guitarist Luke Machin during his days at the Brighton Institute Of Modern Music (UK), but apparently both he and bassist Daniel Mashal (the other members, by the way, are second guitarist Elliot Fuller, keyboardist/ backing singer Georgia Lewis, and drummer Doug Hamer) had already put in time gathering experience for three years as members of well-known act The Tangent before going off on their own with their own brand of music. In fact, it's The Tangent's frontman Andy Tillison (whom had been asked by German Prog specialist label Inside Out to stay on the lookout for worthwhile new acts) whom eventually gave the band it's shot at releasing its debut album.
Machin, whom has worked with and shared stages with such legendary musicians as Francis Dunnery (of It Bites), Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin but also of solo fame), Bernie Marsden (of Whitesnake past), and Jeff Beck (also of solo repute, and formerly of The Yardbirds) is the actual creative force behind this band, and he's been working towards releasing an album with his own stamp on for years. In fact, he's been playing some of the songs on the album (in alternate versions, of course) in other bands he had in the past. Citing Francis Dunnery as one of his main influences, Machin picked up his first guitar at the age of 8, and went on to practice between 8 and 10 hours a day for the next 4 years, while additionally picking up influences from listening to music by the likes of Dream Theater, Pain Of Salvation, Genesis, Yes, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai...influences which would unavoidably creep into his own material, as displayed on Maschine's debut album!
To get a whiff of what the band's about, surf to (www.) facebook.com/maschineuk, where you'll find two fake videos (no actual “moving pictures”, see!?) with a edited version (only 6 minutes from a track just over 10 minutes in length) of the album opening track “The Fallen”, and a 6-minute sampler-teaser of the album, which is 7 tracks and almost 58, 5 minutes long. Great stuff this, though I was originally somewhat taken aback by the weird vocal stylings of the female singer, whom occasionally sings in duet with Machin (whom himself has a somewhat subdued vocal style which is certainly not without appeal). Still, after listening to the album a couple of times, you get used to her style, and even start to appreciate it as the addition to that of the lead singer. Musically, there's occasional Jazzy flutterings and, as mentioned in the bio sheet which accompanied the download promo of the album, the track “Venga” (which is the oldest track on the album) has Hard Rock roots which make it a little less complex overall...something which went down very well with the audiences on the occasions when the track was played to 'em!
I love Progressive Rock & Metal, especially when it shows different elements, and can be listened to on different levels... Let me illuminate that last statement : while on the surface this band brings something which will appeal to anyone into melodic guitar music, there's stuff going on underneath which demand a more focused attention from the listener (if the latter is so inclined) to grasp...and such music àlways goes down well with me. And the (at first) awkward female vocals indeed work as an additional incentive here! In spite of the praise, I guess the album will not make an immediate nomination for year-lists...unless in the case of people who have a little more time on their hands than this here reviewer...you know what I mean...people who don not have to go through an average of at least one album a day, like yours truly. Still, I'm already looking forward with some anticipation of what this band might accomplish with a second album!