Machine Men - "Circus Of Fools"
Band: Machine Men
CD Title: Circus Of Fools
Year: 2007
Website: www.machinemen.net
MySpace: Machine Men Forum Thread
Label: Century Media
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks exclusive
Rating: 9.5 / 10
More Links: Machine Men Forum Thread
I first found out about Machine Men when Bloodstock made an announcement saying that they would be on the bill in 2006. I decided to check them out before I saw them and so I bought "Elegies". I was immediately impressed by the album and by the band's subsequent performance at Bloodstock. My only issue was that Machine Men sounded a little bit too much like Iron Maiden. This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise because the band's name comes from a Bruce Dickenson song... and Machine Men started off as an Iron Maiden cover band.
So, what's "Circus Of Fools" like?
Without a doubt, the Iron Maiden influence is still there, but this time it's simply that - an influence. This time it's difficult to imagine Iron Maiden playing any of the songs on this album. Machine Men have found their own sound. This is a very strong album.
On "Elegies" I often found that I skipped tracks, with "Circus Of Fools" I haven’t done that (although I have repeatedly played "The Shadow Gallery" at work). Machine Men have included a diverse mixture of ideas, from the almost proggy feel to "The Shadow Gallery", the big chorus of "No Talk Without The Giant", the almost folk-inspired guitar on "Where I Stand" and the dark "The Cardinal Point".
I think that Machine Men may alienate a few of their existing fans with this album, since they have almost broken away from the sound that they created with "Elegies". While their previous album was a great piece of work, I think "Circus Of Fools" is infinitely better.
It pleases me to think that there's a band like Machine Men around – a metal band that has the capability to fill stadiums in a few years. Bands and artists like, the previously mentioned Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne etc, won’t be around forever (unfortunately) and so it's good to know that there's someone else out there to carry the torch.
CD Title: Circus Of Fools
Year: 2007
Website: www.machinemen.net
MySpace: Machine Men Forum Thread
Label: Century Media
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks exclusive
Rating: 9.5 / 10
More Links: Machine Men Forum Thread
I first found out about Machine Men when Bloodstock made an announcement saying that they would be on the bill in 2006. I decided to check them out before I saw them and so I bought "Elegies". I was immediately impressed by the album and by the band's subsequent performance at Bloodstock. My only issue was that Machine Men sounded a little bit too much like Iron Maiden. This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise because the band's name comes from a Bruce Dickenson song... and Machine Men started off as an Iron Maiden cover band.
So, what's "Circus Of Fools" like?
Without a doubt, the Iron Maiden influence is still there, but this time it's simply that - an influence. This time it's difficult to imagine Iron Maiden playing any of the songs on this album. Machine Men have found their own sound. This is a very strong album.
On "Elegies" I often found that I skipped tracks, with "Circus Of Fools" I haven’t done that (although I have repeatedly played "The Shadow Gallery" at work). Machine Men have included a diverse mixture of ideas, from the almost proggy feel to "The Shadow Gallery", the big chorus of "No Talk Without The Giant", the almost folk-inspired guitar on "Where I Stand" and the dark "The Cardinal Point".
I think that Machine Men may alienate a few of their existing fans with this album, since they have almost broken away from the sound that they created with "Elegies". While their previous album was a great piece of work, I think "Circus Of Fools" is infinitely better.
It pleases me to think that there's a band like Machine Men around – a metal band that has the capability to fill stadiums in a few years. Bands and artists like, the previously mentioned Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne etc, won’t be around forever (unfortunately) and so it's good to know that there's someone else out there to carry the torch.
Track List
01 Circus of Fools
02 No Talk Without The Giant
03 Ghost of the Seasons
04 Tyrannize
05 The Shadow Gallery
06 Where I Stand
07 Border of the Real World
08 Dying Without a Name
09 The Cardinal Point