Of Machines as if Everything Was Held in Place Review
If you calculated the ratio of a band's bear upon compared to length of time as a ring, Of Machines would come out somewhere near the top. Their debut (and just) record 'As If Everything Was Held In Identify' seemingly came out of nowhere and dropped this ring rightfully in the eye of a hype-tempest, thanks to its ambient instrumentals, clever arrangements and phenomenal vocals. Shortly after though it was all over, the band splitting up just ane year after the record dropped, going their split means and robbing us all of the opportunity to hear whatever more of their creative brilliance.
The band were signed past Rise Records merely three months subsequently forming and having released their record and toured the US within a yr, things were looking very positive indeed. Touring in a small ring though tin can come with some serious fiscal strains and for vocalist Dylan Anderson information technology was all likewise much. His departure started a domino outcome, the rest of the band feeling trivial confidence in being able to retain their sound without Anderson and from in that location everything collapsed.
Listening again through this record, it's obvious why the band were nervous well-nigh conveying on without their front-man. Anderson'southward voice is incredible throughout and gave the band a distinctive, signature sound. Able to reach insane high notes, Anderson pushed the boundaries of melodies into realms unheard of in post-hardcore at the time and equally you move through the tracks yous're just waiting for those moments where he pulls out the stops and belts out notes at the acme of his range.
It's not all high notes and full throttle vocals though. Anderson's low range delivers a lot of emotionally-charged melodies that work perfectly against the ambient guitars and atmospheric lead-lines that menstruum through the record. Contrasting with these pretty patterns, there are plenty of heavy moments too, breakdowns and screamed vocals ensuring variation as well as moments to nod your head to. The closest comparisons I could ever draw for this ring were The Receiving of Sirens and Saosin, combining the ambience and melody with catchy harmonies and more forceful drum work.
Ii of my biggest regrets with the demise of this ring are never seeing them alive and never getting to hear them with skillful production backside them. Both regrets pertain to the same point: I've ever wanted to feel their music in a natural setting, where I can hear the organic instruments. Producer Cameron Mizell has a very definite aesthetic when it comes to production and while it's strongly confronting my own sense of taste, I respect the desire of the band to opt for an industrial-sounding mix that drew parallels to their name: Of Machines. The record does indeed sound machine-like and as a result you get unnatural sounding drums and guitars that are indistinguishable from any other tone or effect, making it hard to hear the intricacies being played.
Hearing Mike'due south guitar encompass of Becoming Closer to Closure deepens my regret, as information technology's the first time I've properly heard the guitar notes and it sounds great. If you're familiar with Hands Like Houses' debut album 'Footing Dweller' (some other of Mizell's productions) and the follow upwards 'Unimagine' yous'll know the affect that a cleaner, more precise sound tin have on a band's music. Hearing the same contrast on a future Of Machines tape would have been very interesting indeed.
A few years ago there were rumblings of a reunion and a new crowd-funded EP. Though not substantiated, apparently Anderson "went missing" and so did the coin, putting an end to any chance of this ring getting back together. Information technology'due south a real shame, but while nosotros never got to hear another notation after 2009, at to the lowest degree nosotros still have this record to recall them by. Have a listen and enjoy!
Source: https://testwood.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/flashback-friday-of-machines-as-if-everything-was-held-in-place/
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