Unitron
3rd Machine-Urban Madness
'Urban Madness' is the second EP by Industrial metal band 3rd Machine. When I was searching for Industrial metal bands to add to the site, I came across this band. They were listed as a 'symphonic industrial' metal band. This was something that was completely foreign to me, none of the industrial metal bands I have heard previously have symphonic elements. On my first listen I did think they were good, but I guess I just dismissed it because I was focused on something else. After giving them listen after listen though, I became hooked.
The music on here I would call a mix of Industrial, symphonic, and maybe a bit of progressive metal in there too. The first track, the title track, just kicks you in the face when the crunching guitar comes in. Soon though, a very melodic passage enters combining the industrial programming and symphonic elements beautifully. After the second melodic passage, John Ruiter's guttural vocals come in and they are simply stellar. The way that he just screams 'MY RAAAAAAAAAAAGE' at the end of these parts kicks serious ass. The next song is the song '3rd Machine', which is pure industrial crunching guitar bliss. Again, Ruiter's vocals are amazing on this track, this time reminding me a lot of Glenn Danzig. The electronic sounds act as a perfect accent to the crunching yet changing and flowing guitar riffing, creating a mechanical atmosphere.
The final song on the EP is the over seven-minute long 'Core of the Machine'. The song begins with the powerful crunch of the guitar, with Ruiter's vocals giving a great raw guttural performance. The balance of his raw vocals and his beautiful clean vocals is perfect here, his clean vocals coming in at the more symphonic parts. It's really interesting hearing this, the symphonic and industrial elements are kept within the same passages. It just sounds fresh and new to me.
Overall, after enough listens this band has blown me away. The seemingly strange combination of symphonic and industrial styles is nailed perfectly, and makes me so glad I discovered this band. I highly recommend this EP to anyone who wants some industrial metal bliss.
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