MYSTIC-FORCE — Man VS Machine (review)

MYSTIC-FORCE — Man VS Machine album cover Album · 2001 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Man VS Machine" is the 4th full-length studio album by US power/progressive metal act Mystic Force. The album was released through Siegen Records in 2001. It had been 6 years since the release of their 3rd full-length studio album "A Step Beyond (1995)" and a lineup change on the lead vocalist spot had taken place as Bobby Hicks has been replaced by William Wren. The latter was also the featured lead vocalist on the "Steps to a New Machine" EP from 2000. The four original tracks (The EP also included a couple of cover tracks) are included on "Man VS Machine".

Mystic Force have always belonged to the semi-progressive US power metal camp and acts like Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, Heir Apparent and Sanctuary are valid references. However with each release they incorporated more and more progressive elements to their sound, and that culminates on "Man VS Machine", which was by far their most progressive offering up until then. The influences from especially Queensrÿche (their most progressive releases from the late eighties) are still strong, but Mystic Force are generally a heavier beast and it´s not unusual for their music to include harder edged US power/thrash oriented metal riffing. Lead vocalist William Wren has a voice and a singing style that reminds me of Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) and sometimes Ray Alder (Fates Warning, Redemption). A very skilled singer with a strong voice.

"Man VS Machine" is a strong album throughout. Each track stand out as memorable and catchy, the sound production is professional and powerful and the musicianship is oustanding. The tracks aren´t overtly progressive in structure, but while they mostly follow a vers/chorus formula, Mystic Force successfully make sure to include compositional surprises to keep their music entertaining. At 62:26 minutes it´s a rather long album but it´s one of those rare releases with a long playing time that doesn´t feel long because there are no low points. It´s consistently great all the way through and as a consequence a 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
It´s their most interesting release to my ears.
J-Man wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I think I need to hear this one!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed