Review Summary: Redeemer (Underground Edition) is an album released by a unique Swedish band called Machinae Supremacy (pronounced muh-sheen suh-prem-uh-see). Two versions of Redeemer where released, Underground Edition (March 18, 2007) and a re-mixed and re-released Ret
What makes Machinae Supremacy such a unique band is on top of using the standard electric guitars, bass guitar, drum kit and keyboards as do most rock/metal bands, they use a SidStation . This emitter is powered by the sound chip from an old Commodore 64, the best selling personal computer released of all time unveiled back in 1982. The SidStation gives the band a kind of an epic video game meld of heavy metal sound.
Several songs are painted with hugely energetic musical riffs that make you want to jump up and down to the beat. It seams that all the electronic sounds created by the SidStation are placed at exactly the right moment in every song which fit in perfectly with the guitar throw downs and solos that will make your head spin. Lyrical content is centered around the philosophy of nihilism*, for example rebellion, anti-mainstream ism and self-empowerment are often used as themes. These lyrics are delivered in a science-fiction or fantasy way.
Some of the favorite tracks on the album are “Fury” and “Through The Looking Glass” for their mega opening riffs you can't help but enjoy. Other favorites include “Empire” and “I Know The Reaper”. On a lower note, the vocals presented on this collection of recordings are, to me, sub-par to what you would expect. They sound somewhat whiny and high-pitched. After several listens I have become more accustomed to them but a first time listener is sure to be slightly annoyed.
If you are a fan of video game music or even power metal in general I heavily recommend a listen to these highly creative musicians. They offer a wide variety of free-to-download songs on their website (www.machinaesupremacy.com). Enjoy
3/4
*Nihilism (from the Latin nihil, nothing) is a philosophical position which argues that the world, especially past and current human existence, is without objective meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth, or essential value. Nihilists generally assert some or all of the following: there is no reasonable proof of the existence of a higher ruler or creator, a "true morality" does not exist, and secular ethics are impossible; therefore, life has no truth, and no action can be preferable to any other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism
