Guitarist/songwriter Steve Smyth has recorded a second release with the titanic metal group he founded that is One Machine. If you are unfamiliar with One Machine then maybe you have heard Smyth's work with Testament, Nevermore, Forbidden or Dragonlord. Like its predecessor The Distortion of Lies and the Overdriven Truth One Machine's new album The Final Cull is a very heavy and somewhat technical metal album. With a part change in line-up between recordings The Final Cull features the performances of Smyth together with Jamie Hunt (guitar), Chris Hawkins (vocals), Stefano Selvatico (bass), and Michi Sanna (drums).
The Final Cull's potent and atmospheric metal presents many elements such as power/progressive and thrash metal leaving a trail of devastation. The album was recorded live so to speak with all members performing together in the studio, enabling the band to trade ideas, pushing the material and each other as required and capturing the desired sound for The Final Cull. One Machine tend to incorporate so much into their songs you certainly can't expect to digest this album in one listen that's for sure. While I do struggle to get into this album I can appreciate the talent of those involved as there's no doubting their technical ability, this really isn't the easiest form of metal to be dishing out especially when the band are in full flight. The band do take a breather of sorts as "Ashes In The Sky" is in part rather tame in ferocity compared to the majority of this album then it also gets quite heavy.
I just find that The Final Cull isn't a memorable or compelling metal album, the best tracks bookend the album so to speak being "Forewarning" and "Welcome To The World". So despite its moments and while others may be totally immersed in One Machine's The Final Cull this isn't one that I'll be revisiting often.
Track Listing
1. Forewarning
2. The Final Cull
3. Summoning of the Soul
4. Screaming for Light
5. The Grand Design
6. New Motive Power
7. Ashes in the Sky
8. Born From This Hate
9. Welcome to the World
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