EP REVIEWS
ZERO TOLERANCE MAGAZINE
This kicks some serious arse! 'Impossibility..' blasts through a heap of genres, fusing death, grind, thrash, stoner and doom with their own touch of inventiveness to make them one of the most promising UK bands on the scene today. The opening - indeed all of - second track 'Bone Island' is totally crushing, which isn't really saying much, I suppose, as this entire recording is absolutely fucking immense. Lethal!
RATING - 4 out of 5
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POWERPLAY MAGAZINE
My intial thought about this being a pure deathcore mini-album proved to be misdirected as this North England outfit have released a very innovative set of tunes. 'Ranger' opens in grind fashion before quickly changing to a deathcore beat. The sleazy mid section hints at a stoner direction and indeed every track on here veers tangentially from one genre to another, albeit with tortured vocals. 'Bone Island' begins with chunky drums and a catchy riff, as the track blasts forth in a double bass assault before the sludgy section catches you unawares. 'Marxism' clocks in over eight minutes and begins in true doom fashion with crushing density and a beast like bark that sounds like a summoning for the riffs and brutality that follow as the track swerves to a doomy bass drone.
A cracking display of genre defying muscianship, I await the full length with great anticipation.
RATING - 8/10
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MASTERFUL-MAGAZINE.COM
Blending thrash metal with influences from death, doom and stoner rock, it's not so much of a surprise that UK metal act Machiavellian sound like a more pissed off, decidedly heavier version of Atlanta, Georgia's iconic genre defying rockers Mastodon or Australia's psychedelic doomsters Pod People without copying either of these bands. Machavellian are well underway creating a sound that is clearly their own. They do not wear their influences on their sleeves and their overall delivery only benefits from that. While they are clearly inspired by the New Wave Of American Metal (All Shall Perish, God Forbid, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, The Red Chord) their European influences provide their material with a good contrast compared to their more modern approach. It is not every day that a band debuts as strong as Machiavellian do, although there are still a few minor details that need their attention. 'Ranger' starts off like it could have been culled from Misery Index's debut album "Retaliate" with Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) alike barked streetwise vocals. 'Bone Island' has an crushing build while sounding more hardcore overall. 'Marxism' starts out on a desolate, doomy note with a slowly build melody on the guitar - and bass riff, this is overall reminiscent of early 1990's European death metal. Gorefest and Asphyx come to mind, in particular before a quick bass solo introduces a chopping nervous section that would fit Burnt By the Sun. The band's debut EP "The Impossibility Of Death In the Mind of the Living" was recorded at Foel Studios, Wales with revered producer Chris Fielding (Napalm Death, Primordial) and an additional high quality mastering session by the always reliable Russ Russell (Dimmu Borgir, Napalm Death). If this four track EP is any indication Machiavellian's debut album will be something to look forward to.RATING - 8 out of 10
Site Review
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CHOPMUSIC.CO.UK
Thanks to Ant for the CD and band biography. Signed earlier in the year to the Canadian label Year Of The Sun Records, this is their debut EP. Quick band intro before the review; two guitarists are Ste and Chris, Ant plays bass, Nick is on drums and the vocals are taken care of by Kris. And so to the music...
1. Ranger
Shortest track on offer at just under four minutes but manages to pack a hell of a lot in. Drummer comes out blast-beating and the aggressive vocals leave you in no doubt where this band are heading. The slower bass-driven breakdown section is superb. Mix a lot of styles, this track exhibits thrash, death metal and hardcore sections and splices them together effortlessly. Tempo changes are deftly handled, closest band reference points to me were Daath and Thus Defiled. Quality opener.
2. Bone Island
Six minute epic starts with a stunning blackened death section. As with the first track, it is obvious on this one that the band like their pared down, slower, vicious, sections. Like this one overall, some of the vocals grated a bit though. First solo is a cracker and sounds very much like classic Slayer, pity it's so short. Another track that blends a lot of extreme metal styles and influences very well. Lengthy outro seemed a bit pointless to me.
3. Marxism
Longest track on offer at over eight minutes and unfortunately it feels it. Slower track initially, there is a feeling of menace and mayhem to come. The doom section is immensely powerful, my friends in local monolithic doom band I Am Colossus would be proud of this one. Approximately two minutes in all hell breaks loose. Intricate basswork leads into a very fast thrash section. The rest of the song sees tempo changes galore and another great guitar solo at around the 5' 25" mark, albeit that again it's too short! This one may well work superbly live, but on this CD I think it needs reworking, at least a minute and a half shorter.
4. Let My Home, Be My Gallows
Shorter track to finish at just under the five minute mark. Furious onslaught from the word go in a blackened thrash manner. Vocals were very familiar sounding throughout this section, it's been driving me mad trying to place them. The drumming throughout is excellent, the kick-drumming on this one is stunning. The riff at 2' 10" reminded me of Sabbath's "Children Of The Grave" initially before it mutated. Solid end to the EP.
Negatives are far outweighed by positives. The title of the EP doesn't do much for me, it's overly long and bordering on being pretentious. Marxism is too long and needs reworking, but please lengthen the solo! And now the praise section!! If these guys are anywhere near as accomplished musically as this EP suggests they must be skull-crushing live. My promotions wing, Millennium of Blood, would offer you a gig without hesitation. The complexity and differing musical styles are handled clinically well. In general the songs don't feel long which is always a good sign. The production is superb, hardly surprising as it has been produced and subsequently mastered by Chris Fielding and Russ Russell. The drumming throughout is exceptional, some of the kick-drumming is phenomenal. Overall I like this a lot and I wish the band every success when this EP is released. Can't think of any obvious reason why it won't do well.
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DEATHDOOM PRODUCTIONS
Here is quite a mouthful for you. "The Impossibility Of Death In The Minds Of The Living" by UK Thrash & Death Metallers Machiavellian is getting rave reviews from all around, and it isn;t all that difficult to see why. Not so much of a Thrash/Death combination in my eyes though, more a Send More Paramedics style Thrash meets groove laden Stoner Doom, with hard hitting Death Metal vocals on top. A very cool mix. Machiavellian's musicianship is superb, all parts of the band blending together with the utmost professionalism and ease. Brutality and heaviness a second nature to these guys, for a true reflection of the pure groove these guys play with listen to "Bone Island". It's raw, it's sludgy and it's totally in your face. Only a four track EP this but I'm looking forward to the day that these guys have more, and so i'm forced to agree with all the previous reviews this EP has had and say that this is Metal how it should be, and even better, it's British!
4 Out Of 5