REVIEW: Big Machine - "Bigger Machine" (EP)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type:EP

Date Released:01/08/2016

Label:Independent

Their previous crust leanings are now mostly overtaken by spiky noise-rock indebted mangling as demonstrated on the gnarly “Introwidows” and early Mastodon/Baroness style complex sludge on “Mutual”. You can’t argue with the title of the EP either, with “Bigger Machine” taking the greatness of the Manchester duo’s debut release and cranking it into the red, with a whirlwind of breakneck riffs and unexpected pop hooks that will keep you coming back for more.

“Bigger Machine” CD//DD track listing:

1). Fangdy

2). Love Will Find A Way

3). Introwidows

4). Mutual

5). Steve Brooks

6). Wcolt

7). Quiet!

The Review:

You can’t argue with the title of Big Machine’s new EP. “Bigger Machine” takes the greatness of the Manchesterduo’s debut release and cranks it into the red.

While their first EP bore a lot of the trademarks of the members’ previous band, the much-missed raging hardcore beast Hammers, this new release sees them begin to forge a distinct sound of their own. Big Machine are still totally focussed on riffs (and generate a staggering amount of them in the space of 14 minutes) but their style has shifted slightly. Their previous crust leanings are now mostly overtaken by spiky noise-rock indebted mangling as demonstrated on the gnarly “Introwidows” and early Mastodon/Baronessstyle complex sludge on “Mutual”. Big Machine aren’t shy about having a huge affection for thunder pop behemoths either, with the band making their admiration explicit with the excellent “Steve Brooks” and the breathless opening salvo of “Fangdy” and “Love Will Find A Way”.

There is a lot more variation in the vocal department this time around too. The band manage to effortlessly integrate some clean singing into proceedings alongside the expected relentless roars.  This sits well with some of the more melodic musical elements of the EP too, expanding the range of their sound without compromising on impact.

“Bigger Machine” is a great release, a whirlwind of breakneck riffs and unexpected pop hooks that will keep you coming back for more. Hopefully it won’t be long before the band get to work on “Even Bigger Machine”.

“Bigger Machine” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook