Unitron Quantified Self is the debut studio album from Dutch cyber/industrial metal band 3rd Machine. After many EP releases, the Dutch cyber metal act is here with their first full-length album, and they continue on with their unique blend of industrial and symphonic metal.

Each song is filled to the brim with groovy guitar crunch, atmospheric industrial/symphonic blends, and gruff/melodic vocal contrasts. Comparisons to bands like Fear Factory, Sybreed, and Meshuggah wouldn't be wrong, but these guys certainly create their own unique cyber metal sound. "Reboot Initiate" is one of my favorites, and is a perfect example of all these elements coming together. The title cut is another favorite with some real catchy groove metal instrumentation, switching between crunching groove and pretty melodies.

With their blend of styles in mind, it may or may not come as a surprise to see Epica's Mark Jansen guesting on one of the songs featured. This song is "Ultimate Intelligence", which includes virtuoso-worthy guitar soloing and headbang-ready riffing. "Magnet", "System Idle", and "Petrified" are two other highlights, the latter a great choice as the first song released with its awesome guitar crunch and commanding vocals.

If you like brutal yet melodic cyber metal, atmospheric groove metal, and the melody of symphonic metal, this is definitely something to check out. These guys know how to perfectly balance brutality with melody. It's always nice to see albums that can appeal to multiple metal crowds, and this is certainly one of those. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!

Unitron 3rd Machine-Urban Madness

'Urban Madness' is the second EP by Industrial metal band 3rd Machine. When I was searching for Industrial metal bands to add to the site, I came across this band. They were listed as a 'symphonic industrial' metal band. This was something that was completely foreign to me, none of the industrial metal bands I have heard previously have symphonic elements. On my first listen I did think they were good, but I guess I just dismissed it because I was focused on something else. After giving them listen after listen though, I became hooked.

The music on here I would call a mix of Industrial, symphonic, and maybe a bit of progressive metal in there too. The first track, the title track, just kicks you in the face when the crunching guitar comes in. Soon though, a very melodic passage enters combining the industrial programming and symphonic elements beautifully. After the second melodic passage, John Ruiter's guttural vocals come in and they are simply stellar. The way that he just screams 'MY RAAAAAAAAAAAGE' at the end of these parts kicks serious ass. The next song is the song '3rd Machine', which is pure industrial crunching guitar bliss. Again, Ruiter's vocals are amazing on this track, this time reminding me a lot of Glenn Danzig. The electronic sounds act as a perfect accent to the crunching yet changing and flowing guitar riffing, creating a mechanical atmosphere.

The final song on the EP is the over seven-minute long 'Core of the Machine'. The song begins with the powerful crunch of the guitar, with Ruiter's vocals giving a great raw guttural performance. The balance of his raw vocals and his beautiful clean vocals is perfect here, his clean vocals coming in at the more symphonic parts. It's really interesting hearing this, the symphonic and industrial elements are kept within the same passages. It just sounds fresh and new to me.

Overall, after enough listens this band has blown me away. The seemingly strange combination of symphonic and industrial styles is nailed perfectly, and makes me so glad I discovered this band. I highly recommend this EP to anyone who wants some industrial metal bliss.

Hope you found this review helpful.

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