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Gizmachi: The Imbuing

The debut album from New York based band Gizmachi finds the band on Big Orange Clown Records, a division of Sanctuary Records, and one founded by M. Shawn Crahan, also called Clown (#6) in the band Slipknot. Crahan also produced the album, which is basically aggressive and loud nu-metal/metalcore with plenty of melody. Much of the singing here is either screeching hardcore shouts or melodic clean vocals, and the band works best when they mix the two together, like they do on the rampaging "Wandering Eyes", a song that also displays some intricate harmony guitars amidst all the punishing riffs that recall vintage Iron Maiden. For the most part, this is in your face modern metal, bordering on extreme at times, that should please fans of early Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Meshuggah, and God Forbid. Gizmachi shows some promise, especially in the fact that they create some catchy melodies to go along with their maniacal brand of metal, plus they play plenty of guitar solos, which is OK in my book. Check out the mammoth sounding riffs and rabid leads of "Wearing Skin" for proof of Gizmachi's guitar power. The boys from Orange County, NY (where ironically I reside as well) have their break, and are running with it, and we shall see if The Imbuing will cause a stir on the metal scene.


Track Listing1. The Answer
2. Wandering Eyes
3. Bloodwine
4. Burn
5. Romantic Devastation
6. Wearing Skin
7. People Show
8. Voice of Sanity

Added: June 7th 2005
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Gizmachi Website
Hits: 3688
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Gizmachi: The Imbuing
Posted by Duncan Glenday, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-06-07 22:34:53
My Score:

You'd better be in the mood for rock-solid rhythm - 'cause that's what the Giz gives.

Their mix of some death and some clean vocals is far from unique - but the mixture of those death metal shrieks and a very clean rhythm section - with almost no distortion on the insistent, repeated power chords - now that is unusual. You won't find any of the normal extreme metal chord sequences here. It's all strong, simple, very clean riffs - with a simple, interesting lead guitar occasionally floating over the top. The extreme vocals aren't too bad either, more of a muted shriek than a growl, and the one third-or-so of the singing that is clean is delivered in mid-range, two- and three-part choruses that tread firmly into the turf of power metal.

The dual guitars work well together even though there aren't any complex guitar duals to be found. This music is all about those riffs and the vocals and the band itself describes it as "brutal and beautiful". That description fits many modern not-quite-extreme metal acts - and it's well applied here.

Based in Orange County, new York, the core of Gizmachi met in high school and the band has been building up to its present status for 6 years. A chance meeting with Shawn Crahan, a member of Slipknot led to the band being signed to Big Orange Clown Records, and to Crahan producing the CD. This was his first outing as a producer and the exercise was clearly a success. The 8 songs on The Imbuing last 46 minutes for an average of 5 minutes a piece, and they include the band's first single / video track "The Answer".

The 8-minute "Voice of Sanity" sees the band breaking the mould for a long middle section. After the 2:50 mark there's an ethnic percussion with a soft, high-pitched multi-part chorus over the top, occasional vocal whispers, and deep, resonant, melodic bass notes holding it all together. It sound almost like world-music, and this 2-minute break showcases a musical capability and flexibility that isn't seen anywhere else on the record. Gizmachi would do well to break the mold more often - they do it well, and it would add a whole new dimension to music that is very good, but in which most songs sound essentially the same.

Producer and Slipknot member Shawn Crahan makes an interesting and important point about this CD, saying that Gizmachi's music: "...encourages me because it's not designed around anger or hate like a lot of other bands ... that's why I'm in!" And that is what might attract you to The Imbuing.


Gizmachi: The Imbuing
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-05-30 21:19:57
My Score:

Gizmachi have the distinct honor of being the first act signed to new label Big Orange Clown. This label is not only a subdivision of Sanctuary Records, but it is also under the watchful eye of M. Shawn Crahan who is most noted for his role as singer Clown of Slipknot. Crahan had a heavy hand in the production of the group so you can count on it being heavy and well produced. The kick off to the CD is interesting as it blends Alice In Chain like harmonies amidst the pounding brand of metal they do. Musically there is a lot of great hooks and some interesting changes. I did not like a lot of the vocals for it falls into the growling screamer most of the time and this is done far too much these days. When singer Sean Kane uses more melody in his style it works a lot more for me. The drum work laid down by Jimmie Hatcher is above par, with lots of interesting time signatures and rolls throughout the piece.

The standout tracks for me were instantly "The Answer", and "Bloodwine" for the melody they chose to mix with the track. "Romantic Devastation" begins with a progressive run that would impress any fan of technical playing but the rest of that track is only ok if you asked me. The rest of the CD is a mix of the two styles but has a lot of similarities to the other tracks. This is no means a bad thing for a debut release for there is always room to grow and expand. Yet there are folks who demand this style above all else.

The people who dig the Slipknot sound might enjoy this a little more since it has a connection to the Slipknot guy, however it stands the risk of falling to the wayside if some more of the strong points they have demonstrated are not focused on in future music. The industry seems to be making room once again for power house singing and musical composition and only a select few in the growler metal style stand to remain standing should this regain dominance in the market. Audience listeners today do not seem to focus as much hard core dedication on bands as they used to and interest is definitely fleeting in a lot of cases. I feel Gizmachi has the potential to surpass some of their peers, so lets see what comes out from them next.




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