Hutch checks out the new album from Manchester noise terrorists ‘The Machinist’ here’s what he thinks!

A blistering combination of industrial death thrash with added blackness greets you when you hit play on this second album from Manchester’s The Machinist. In those first few minutes, the aptly named title track Contempt for Life spews forth its violent vitriol in a storm of raging aggression.

It’s an album that isn’t for the faint of heart. As the band say in their information, they are ‘hell-bent on exposing the gaping, endless emptiness that lies behind the deceptive façade of human existence’. It’s an objective that they are clearly focused on achieving, for the maelstrom of aural abuse that rides out across the airwaves is the sonic equivalent of physical assault.

The vocals are horrific, the stuff of nightmares, the backing harmonies just adding to the horror of this opening six minutes. The guitar work is technical, jagged, angular, uncomfortable. You won’t be able to whistle along to this one. Instead, you’ll have to slowly absorb what is unleashed, and if you aren’t horrified into switching off, then the rest of this abrasively challenging release which holds a message that isn’t going to be stopped. 

If nihilist contempt against society is your bag, then you should really dive deep into what is a dark aural attack on life’s futility. With programmed drums giving an unrelenting backbone, its mechanistic delivery exudes no warmth. Instead, a sweeping coldness embraces you, as you are pinned by the battery of riffs through the first three tracks. Brace is huge, containing some massive breakdowns that power the album forward. If there was a soundtrack for a demolition crew, then this jackhammer approach would surely be first in line.

A mix of keyboard wizardry provides layers that flesh out the pounding riffage and thunderous bass. It’s claustrophobicin the extreme, a suffocating melding that threatens one’s sanity. And yet The Machinist have played this cleverly.

After the bludgeon of Brace, there is a truce of sorts, a respite in the form of Gog and later the industrial hum of Magog, albeit both leave you possibly even more disconcerted as the pulsing electronica vibe fades in sinister fashion. Take advantage of that though, for the likes of Demagogue and Anthropic Mistake are the antithesis of calm. Blistering face-melters, it’s a visceral frenzy ensures the nightmare continues through to the torturous and fractured conclusion of Cracks. 

This is a special album in many ways. Technically it’s detailed and intricate, and regardless of view, one cannot help but admire the musicianship of those involved: Tobias Gray –lead guitar/backing vocals, John Thompson –Vocals/keyboards/drum programming, George Kal –rhythm guitar/Backing Vocals with bass performed by Luke Chapman.

Contempt for Life is an album that challenges the norms. It’s disturbing, uncomfortable and deceptively creative.

THE MACHINIST – CONTEMPT FOR LIFE
LABEL: INVIMA RECORDS
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 24th 2025