aglasshouse The reason I've found that most people even know about the band Engine is mainly the band's singer, Ray Alder. Alder is best known for his work in the progressive metal outfit Fates Warning, taking over from previous vocalist John Arch in 1987.

The 90's were a strange time for Fates Warning, especially at the time of nearing the 21st century. 1997's A Pleasant Shade of Gray was an album that was all over the place, a collage of neo-classical industri-prog that split their audience down the center. But with all with Fates Warning going all out artistic on their albums, somewhere along the line, Alder decided to take a break and do something a bit different. Enter Engine, a supergroup formed by Alder himself. On board was some familiar faces of the past few decades. These include Armoured Saint's Joey Vera on bass, Agent Steel's Bernie Versailles on guitar, and punk band Face To Face's Pete Parada on drums.

Now if you're expecting something similar to the complex prog that I mentioned before on this album, you're sorely mistaken. Engine's first (and most notable) album was released in September of 1999, and is the most blatant alt metal album you could find at the time. Unapologetic post-grunge influence combined with the dark, edgy stylings of seasoned metal veterans- what could go wrong? Not much to be honest. The songwriting isn't complex, lyrics aren't overthought or needlessly poetic, Engine is just a 9 track collection of some pretty good alternative metal material. Like I said before there is a palpable dark quality to the album, mainly given off by Alder's somber vocals and Versailles' slow, echoing riffs that seem to blend into each-other as each song progresses. Engine draws from a variety of influences, such as 90's Soundgarden, Staind (particularly on my personal favorite 'You're Awake'), and a variety of other hard rock/ alternative metal bands at the time. Sometimes Alder's voice reflects a bit of Jonathan Davis' at times. Melodic tones are also used to great affect, notably 'Tree of Life' and 'Falling Star'.

This isn't progressive material, and if you're looking for that kind of stuff I suggest just keeping up to date with Engine's members' original bands. But if you're looking for some supergroups formed by great musicians, then I suggest you check out this little-known group. It's worth it.

UMUR "Engine" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by US alternative/groove metal act Engine. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in September 1999. By the end of the nineties the band actitivies of Fates Warning had slowed down considerably compared the band´s activity level in the eighites and early nineties. Lead vocalist Ray Alder also wanted to try out a more direct, simple and groove based sound and found like minded musicians in guitarist Bernie Versailles and bassist Joey Vera, who had toured with Fates Warning on the tour supporting "A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)" (and in Joey Vera´s case he had also participated in the recording of the album). The three recruited Pete Parada to fill the drummer position. Besides Ray Alder being known for his work with Fates Warning and later Redemption, the other three members of the Engine lineup are known for their work with acts such as Agent Steel, Halford, Arch / Matheos, Armored Saint and OSI among others.

...and the high level musicianship is audible. The album is a very well played affair. The music on the other hand is a far cry from the generally progressive nature of most of the member´s main acts. The songs are formulaic vers/chorus structured and very seldom deviate from that form. The riffs are simple, heavy and groove based but some tracks like "Falling Star" and "Bear Your Cross" also feature soaring melodic chorus lines, that make them stand out a bit from the generally more aggressive nature of most of the material (add "Tree of Life" to the more melodic material too). I hear some strong Helmet leanings in the music and I think fans of that band might find the music on the album more interesting than progressive metal fans who are probably the ones who would purchase the album first because of the musicians involved.

When the most spectacular thing about an album is the musicians in the lineup, there´s something wrong with the music and that´s unfortunately the case with "Engine". Most of the material on the album is simply unremarkable. The above mentioned more melodic tracks stand out the most while it´s the more monotone groove based alternative metal tracks that are most forgettable. A track like album opener "Monster" is very repetitive and way too long for comfort and that unfortunately goes for many of the tracks on the album. Still the album comes off as a professional product with a well sounding production and strong musicianship and I´d say a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.