Maschine - Rubidium
InsideOut Music
http://www.insideoutmusic.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=609

Rating: B+

Maschine is the brainchild of guitarist / vocalist Luke Machin who formed the band in 2008 while studying at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music in the UK. Fast forward to 2013 and the band has signed on to InsideOut Music and has now released their debut effort entitled Rubidium.

As far as debut releases go, I have to say that Rubidium is quite an auspicious one at that, as it clearly demonstrates the band has spent their time wisely, by fine tuning their songs and working on honing their killer chops. There is a shitload of virtuosity spread evenly across these muti-faceted compositions. Sometimes proggy, sometimes metallic and often even jazzy, but one thing is for sure and that is that the bands musical canvas is a diverse one that takes in all the best elements that these genres have to offer.

There are plenty of highlights to be found on Rubidium, but the centerpiece has to be the ten minute epic “Invincible”. On this track they weave delicate acoustic guitar, ethereal flute and some absolutely  cascading piano work, into a highly enthralling musical fabric that feels as natural as it does technically brilliant. The two part composition “Eyes”, also stands out for it’s even distribution of dreamy soundscapes and heavy, muscular passages.

While Maschine may be one of the younger bands currently on the InsideOut roster, you’d never know it by listening to this disc. Rubidium sounds like the work of a band that has been in the game and firing on all cylinders for years. One can only imagine where they will take it from here.

By Ryan Sparks