1. Innerstate, 2. Mindfield, 3. Beserker, 4. Seven Declared, 6. Catastrophe
This UK based band (secretively and purposely hiding their musicians' names) are not new on the music scene. They've been releasing albums since 2001. Their discography includes such titles as The End Of Time Project, Time Project: Remixes, Extract E.P, and The Undeniable Constant. They also contributed a soundtrack for an sci-fi anime Full Metal Panic. According to the musicians, they have decided to put out a set of songs - defined as 'projects' - online, since CDs have a decreasing value. One of these is a very fresh release of The Machinery Of Control.
Concept 7 make a hybrid built upon music genres such as metal, techno and industrial which are driven by the beat and speed. Speaking of techno, it is the very recognizable UK-techno style with all of its vital high pitched synths on the top along with dense, curved and looped dynamics in the background. And such is the opening track 'Innerstate'. Its compositional spine is based on a groovy bass line mixed with chunky guitar riffs but purely instrumental arrangements divide the song into catchy verses and choruses.
The love for industrial - trains, engines and machines is expressed in 'Mindfield'. A big part of the arrangement however - metal riffs and techno synths - is based on a mix already known from the previous track. The difference is that they sound heavier and more aggressively thanks to guitars. The song is supported by a music video single you can watch on the Concept 7's YouTube channel.
Once you see the title 'Beserker', you’ll probably imagine a song represented by hard-hitting dynamics. It is true for this track, although it begins quite innocently with only a vibrating riff which suggests what is to come next. It is then joined by a 'rain' of tiny synthetic sounds and a sampled male voice in vein of Skinny Puppy's or Ministry's best known tracks. The guitar versus synth ride continues to the very end of the track.
The band seems to like number 7, which has been universally used throughout centuries, to mention 7 luminaries, 7 heavens, 7 wonders, 7 seas, 7 deadly sins, lucky 7, etc., but also utilized in video game or movie titles. 'Seven Declared' makes for such an interesting title as well. The song begins with a motorcycle engine, then is extended into a rocket-like launch whizz. Beats and sampled vocals come out next reporting a bomb detonation (in a reference to the nuclear test at the Mururoa atoll conducted in 1971). The song's mood is lighter than 'Berserker', but still uneasy.
'Catastrophe' is my favorite of the five songs described. It begins with a mix of repetitive noise and a very intriguing sound that beams like a laser ray into the composition. The sets of dense hard techno/EBM beats sound haunting. Your head will bang to the rhythm. The composition and arrangements are simple, but it's that simplicity of the sound which attracts the human ear, especially if it involves beats. They put the mind in a state of trance, just like ancient drums. The track ends with a sound effect resembling an altered purr, just to make a difference perhaps.
All these songs on The Machinery Of Control are good for listening on their own, but one can get the most of them if utilized in video games or as background illustration in a motion picture. Played alone, they may sound too restricted and rigid. Concept 7 have defined their sound on this release. Therefore, if you're looking for a non-intrusive yet catchy, guitar driven arrangements, you should get these tracks.
(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, December 5th, 2014. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)
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Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine