Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Biomechanical - Eight Moons - 2003 - Revolver Records - Reviewed by Nailer

Track Listing1 The Awakening 2 Do You Know Me 3 In The Core Of Darkness 4 Distorted 5 Hunted 6 No Shadows 7 Eight Moons 8 Save Me 9 Point Of No Return

Fucking INTENSE...

British band Biomechanical combines the most aggressive elements of power, thrash and prog into a wall of overpowering, convulsive sound that seizes your attention, removes you from reality and pulls you into its own dark universe of metal psychosis.

"Eight Moons" is a schizophrenic nightmare induced primarily from the overdose of emotive voices that John K pushes. At times he sounds like Halford, Tate, LaBrie, Anselmo and I even noted a bit of gone-mad Dokken in there. Never have I heard so many different pitches, ranges and treatments done from one singer in anything I've listened to. At times, he's in a frenetic high end and at others, he's on a murderous growl. It all fits into the musical omni-metal that is equal parts vintage (early Fates Warning, early Queensryche, Priest Megadeth), equal parts just-past (Dream Theater, Pantera) and equal parts modern (Nevermore, Fear Factory) from John's extremely skilled fellow members Jamie Hunt & Chris Web on guitars, Jon Collins on bass, and Matt C on drums.

Lyrics are generally first person direct, telling the story of a down and out guy who creates a world of his own where he transforms into a biomechanical creature that obliterates his substance-fears in an escapist world called Eight Moons. It's pretty heady stuff that comes across more personal and abstract than the third-person, descriptive lyrics of Priest's "Painkiller". The soundtrack approach and orchestral treatment of the harmonies gives the record an extremely layered sound that pays little regard to traditional metal song structure. Much of this could be the music of a movie about a futuristic alien Hell and I think it could be enjoyed by fans of many genres.

From "The Awakening":
'When you dream/do you dream, of evil blood and crushing metal bones? When I sleep I destroy powerful gods in universal battle zones'

Biomechanical is an awe-inspiring band to watch out for. This is metal for people who want more.

I almost expected to see Nevermore producer Andy Sneap in the liner notes, but as it turned out, John K. was the producer also. This CD sounded so great, that after hearing it just twice, I felt driven to seek out more of their musical catalog. Eventually, I found out that "Eight Moons" is their debut and that the next CD, supposed to be called "The Empires of the Worlds", may not be started 'till Jan 2004. It's exciting to know that great metal is still in our future.

Awake to Biomechanical!

Score: 9 of 10

--Nailer 10.08.03