NEW MACHINE

New Machine biography
Drummer Chaim Garcia and guitarist Bob Gilmartin, who make up the entire cast of NEW MACHINE, met when they were just 5. Growing up in the same neighbourhood in Old Bridge, New Jersey, they have been close buddies since they can remember and share many interests, the most important being common musical tastes: they first shared a passion for RUSH and KISS, and then for PINK FLOYD, KANSAS, MARILLION, YES, The BEATLES and DREAM THEATER. They played in many local club bands over the years, recorded a few singles of their own and by the late 90's, they were contributing their respective talents to hard rockers PHANTOM'S OPERA. By then, however, several musical ideas had been brewing inside their heads for quite some time; so they finally embarked on their first full-fledged project with Bob handling all the guitars and bass, Chaim playing the drums and keyboards, and both sharing the vocal duties. Their eponymous album was released in 2002, engineered and produced by Eric Rachel (SYMPHONY X among others).

According to their website, they wanted their album to be prog but still commercial, powerful yet gentle, rhythmic yet molodic, and they seem to have succeeded in every way. Their (self-titled) album is indeed a perfect blend of prog rock, metal and AOR; it features heavy rockers with strong guitar work (at times bordering on metal) as well as typical American AOR ballads with full harmony vocals à la EAGLES. They do wear their influences on their sleeves but their material still sounds fresh, their melodies are original and they play with an obvious passion. Perhaps having made music together for over 20 years has paid off, as they display a rare chemistry for a band on their first independent project.

Recommended primarily to fans of JOURNEY, KANSAS, QUEEN and MARILLION of the Hogarth era, but fans of BOSTON, STYX and ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA are also likely to enjoy.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :