The Machinist – All Is Not Well
Release Date: 8th July 2022
Label: Prosthetic Records
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Genre: Tech Metal, Deathcore, Hardcore.
FFO: Vexed, VCTMS, Filth.
Review By: Ryan Payne
The Machinist are taking no prisoners. The sophomore release “All Is Not Well” from the New York trio is an unholy concoction of deathcore, tech metal and hardcore, fronted by a vocalist that is pissed off and wants you to know about it. Recording for this record began in 2020 and was put to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the world plunged itself into chaos, The Machinist watched the carnage unfold and are now ready to unleash their thoughts and feelings through this powerhouse of an album.
We kick things off with the lead single from the record, “P.I.G”, a song that dives into the horrors of police brutality. The track in itself is more than enough to get anyone’s attention, as it opens with a ridiculously heavy groove and Amanda Gjelaj’s voice blistering into the skulls of anyone listening. For anyone discovering The Machinist for the first time, this track will well and truly make anyone a fan. The blend of heavy genres throughout the track is expertly displayed throughout this record, going from the fast hardcore styled verses, to the breakdowns that will please any deathcore enthusiast, to the technical riffs and drumming that are just incredibly engaging to listen to.
But heavy isn’t all this band has to offer, as they show in the track “As Above So Below”. Probably the closest thing on “All Is Not Well” to be considered a ballad while delivering a very dark ambiance throughout the track, not making it sound completely out of place from the rest of the record. Vocalist Amanda Gjelaj displays a wonderful display of talent as she haunts the ears of listeners with her singing abilities, while guitarist Josh Gomez and drummer Steve Ciorciari deliver a wonderful display of musicianship throughout.
As a strong advocate of heavy music, this record is an absolute masterpiece. The musicianship throughout this record is incredible, from the technicality to the composing of the tracks, blended with the monster that is the vocalist, bringing something new and terrifying with every passing song. Besides the main genres that take mainstage throughout this record, The Machinist have also incorporated some other surprising elements throughout the album, such as an almost black metal-esque verse in Deaths Embrace, the rap elements thrown in “P.I.G” and “Monsters” and the occasional metalcore element for good measure to keep things entertaining. This album has it all and is a very serious contender for AOTY for me personally. I haven’t listened to this band before this record came across my emails, but The Machinist can guarantee that they have a fan for life, and this album is going to send them to some incredible heights. 
(5 / 5)
