Deadworld – The Machine – Review

Deadworld

The Machine (Relapse)
by Paul Lee

Deadworld. An ominous name for a band. It is comprised of two members who create a lot of desolate sounding music. There is little in the way of rock ‘n’ roll left in their mix except for the crunching of metallic guitars. This is music to accompany an other-worldly funeral; it is techno-dirge music that would be appropriate in doomed future movies like Road Warrior and Blade Runner.

Deadworld follow that musical path of industrial music (minus the industrial sounds) but go even further than bands like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry to create oppression with their songs. Their sound is chock full of doom and plods along at a triceratops’ pace. Heavy synth beats slam down with electro-drums hammering out teched-out rhythms. On top of that is the metallic guitar and hyper-distorted vocals. With two tracks that are created with eerie sound effects and no vocals, Deadworld have created an album for the deranged and the damned with The Machine.

The Machine has some definite good points to it. The lyrics are as ominous as the music and interesting enough (if somewhat mind numbing as well). With songs like “Cold Hate” and “The Machine,” Deadworld have created some screwed-up music that is rather distinctive. I can’t avoid but compare them to Godflesh, though Godflesh uses more rap and techno beats and have a faster pace.

The problem with The Machine is that the sound effects tracks like “White Lady of Avenel” aren’t songs. Maybe good background track for a horror movie, but they only succeed in creating tedium on this album. There’s no melody, and the various sound effects just continuously emanate for about three to four minutes. This aspect is a major detractor from Deadworld’s album.

The Machine is intensely dark. I’m not talking fun music in any way here. From the looks and sounds of it, Deadworld see an incredibly bleak future as their moniker might imply. If you’re prone to deep depressions, this isn’t the music for you. If Deadworld mixed in some different tempos and got rid of their song-length sound effects, The Machine would be a good album.