UMUR "The Final Cull" is the 2nd full-length studio album by multinational Power/thrash metal act One Machine. The album was released through Scarlet Records in September 2015. One Machine was formed in 2008 by guitarist Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden, Vicious Rumors, Dragonlord...etc.).

There have been a couple of lineup changes since the release of "The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth (2014)" as lead vocalist Mikkel Sandager (Mercenary) has been replaced by Chris Hawkins (Endeavour), bassist Tomas “O’Beast” Koefoed (Mnemic) has been replaced by Stefano Selvatico (Savage Messiah), and drummer Raphael Saini (Chaoswave) has been replaced by Michele Sanna (Coma). The only remaining members from the lineup who recorded the debut album are Steve Smyth (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals) and Jamie Hunt (guitars, backing vocals). The latter was a member of Biomechanical from 2001 to 2007 and released three albums with them.

The reason for mentioning Jamie Hunt´s past in Biomechanical is not a random idea as there are clear references to that band´s output in the music on this album. The same can be said about most of the artists that Steve Smyth has been involved with over the years. Stylistically we´re dealing with an energetic and powerful US power/thrash metal style, with hard edged riffing, heavy- and faster-paced beats, blistering guitar solos, and a screaming raw type power metal vocalist in front (keyboards occasionally also play a part). Regarding the vocals I didn´t even notice that there had been a change on the lead vocalist spot, so Chris Hawkins overall as a very similar voice and delivery to Mikkel Sandager, although upon repeated listens it is revealed that he generally sounds a bit more raw. I´m also often reminded of John K. (Biomechanical).

The material on the 9 track, 44:28 minutes long album is generally well written, powerful, and for the most part quite catchy and memorable. There´s a good balance between the melodic and the more raw and powerful side of the band´s sound. The futuristic atmosphere of the release provides the music with an epic quality that works well. With the names involved it´s no surprise that the musicianship is on a high level on all posts, and as "The Final Cull" also features a professional and well sounding production it´s overall a high quality sophomore release by One Machine. To my ears it´s a step up from the debut album and a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth" is the debut full-length studio album by multi-national US power/thrash metal act One Machine. The album was released through Scarlet Records in February 2014. One Machine was formed in 2008 by guitarist Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden, Vicious Rumors, Dragonlord...etc.). Smyth has taken his time and carefully selected the musicians he wanted to participate in his project and ended up recruiting former Mercenary vocalist Mikkel Sandager, former Mnemic bassist Tomas “O’Beast” Koefoed, former Biomechanical guitarist Jamie Hunt and Chaoswave drummer Raphael Saini for the job. A cast of highly prolific and very skilled players.

Stylistically the music on "The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth" is technically well played thrash metal with US power metal leanings. The latter mostly because of Mikkel Sandager´s predominantly high pitched and more melodic vocal delivery. He is quite an accomplished raw thrash metal singer too though. A new singing style for him. It´s no surprise that the instrumental part of the music is delivered on a very high level too. If you are familiar with any of Steve Smyth´s previous projects you´ll know what a greatly skilled guitar player he is. The riffing on the album are furiously fast-paced (occasionally slower and heavy) and the solos blistering. Of course it also helps to have a second guitarist like Jamie Hunt in the lineup, because he is equally skilled. The rythm section are well playing and tight too. There are references to some of the acts that the involved players have been a part of like Nevermore and Biomechanical, but One Machine do not sound like any other act in particular.

To my ears the material are a bit up and down in compositional quality. Not all tracks are equally memorable and some are a bit structurally messy (a track like "Evict the Enemy" comes to mind), but when the band hit the right notes the music are of high quality. The sound production is a bit of a showstopper though. Especially the clicky sounding drums, which seriously lack power, are an issue. I wasn´t surprised when I investigated a bit further and found out that Roy Z was responsible for mixing "The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth". That man is incapable of producing drums that don´t sound like someone beating on a cardboard box. A bit harsh I know, but I´m generally not a fan of the productions that he is involved in. Sound productions are always an aquired taste though, so I´d suggest giving the album a listen yourself and then judge.

"The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth" is arguably a quality album by One Machine. Especially the musicianship are impressive, but as mentioned above the tracks could have been slightly more memorable and the sound production could have been much better, so a 3.5 star (70%) rating isn´t all wrong.