Despite the fact that Tim Sköld is on this album, Eat Me, Drink Me is one of my less favored Marilyn Manson records. Perhaps it is because Sköld handles bass and guitar, John 5 having made his exit by this point, but I found the album to be lacking musically. That is not to say it’s bad; it just falls short of its predecessors.
Still, it’s Marilyn Manson and has its moments, so I have made Eat Me, Drink Me my album of the week.
Tremonti — “My Last Mistake”
Band: Tremonti
Album: A Dying Machine
Genre: Rock/Metal
Release Date: June 8, 2018
Standout Tracks: “Desolation,” “Traipse,” “A Dying Machine,” “Trust,” “The First The Last,” “As the Silence Becomes Me,” and “A Lot Like Sin”
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I have labeled half of the album as “standout,” if that is any indication of my love for Tremonti’s A Dying Machine. I had a pretty good idea from the moment the title track, which is the core of this rock opera, was released that I was going to adore this record, but nothing could have prepared me for the perfection that would soon be gracing my ears. A Dying Machine kicks off with the hard-hitting “Bringer of War” and carries the listener on an intriguing musical journey, concluding with the instrumental “Found.” In the middle is some of the best work I have heard from Tremonti.
While staying true to their metal influences with such songs as “From the Sky” and the blistering “The Day When Legions Burned,” Tremonti also takes a left turn into the unexpected (“Take You With Me”) and the emotional (“Desolation”). They have used everything in their creative arsenal to tell us this story.
A Dying Machine is the perfect lovechild of its predecessors, yet it surpasses all of them. With each album, the band — consisting of Mark Tremonti, Eric Friedman, and Garrett Whitlock — has evolved. Their musical prowess has reached new levels, enabling them to take chances that certainly have paid off. Mark has grown as a lyricist, and his vocals on this latest effort are magnificent. His performance on the title track from Dust, as well as “Unable to See,” heralded what was to come; however, he pushes himself further on A Dying Machine, using his voice to evoke emotion more than he ever has before.
I can’t praise Tremonti enough for their unwavering dedication to this new wave of metal, heavy and melodic, unafraid to include a softer, more vulnerable side, or to bring in elements that supposedly have no place in the genre (something Mark has been doing with Alter Bridge for years). These unique inclusions are what make Tremonti stand out. In fact, they make the band rise above many of its contemporaries.
Offering a breath of fresh air to the hard rock/metal scene, A Dying Machine is my pick for Album of the Year. I’m sure it’s no surprise that I rate this record 5/5 stars.
And keep your eyes open: there will be a book based on A Dying Machine.
Alter Bridge — “Metalingus”
1. Fortunate Me
A hardcore/metalcore band from Idaho. For fans of Asking Alexandria, Of Mice and Men, Every Time I Die, etc. Check out their latest video below.
And the song that turned me on to them:
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2. Copper Bones
A hard rock/metal two-piece band from Florida. For fans of good rock music! I literally don’t know who to compare them to; there’s a hint of Brother Cane with a touch of an almost classic rock sound. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to “The Vulture.”
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3. January Jane
A pop/rock band from NYC. Slightly reminiscent of Fun and Maroon 5, with catchy sing-along moments, strong vocals, and music you can dance to. January Jane is currently working on new music. In the meantime, listen to “Take the Lions On.”
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4. Echo Black
A dance rock band from New York. For fans of Blaqk Audio, Blutengel, Kill Hannah, etc. I would highly suggest listening to multiple songs before forming an opinion, because these guys bring something different to the table every time. Here’s the title track from their debut album, Dawn.
And also, “Perfect,” which I just love.
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5. October Ends
A melodic metal band from the UK. For fans of All That Remains, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb of God, etc. Check out the latest video for the track “Dismissal.”
Marilyn Manson — “Long Hard Road Out of Hell”
Marilyn Manson — “The Last Day on Earth”
Marilyn Manson — “King Kill 33°”
Marilyn Manson — “Coma White”
Makeshift Romeo — “The Way I Was”
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