Sheavy – The Machine That Won The War (Dallas Tarr Records)
By Chris Barnes
August 20, 2007
Considering the fact I can’t keep the new Sheavy in stock for longer than a day or two before I have to reorder, it doesn’t matter what
I have to say about it. The market has spoken and the market has decided that they better have this one in their collective CD/DVD collections.
Good for Sheavy, they’ve been at this heavy rock thing for 14 years and counting, each release arguably solid-sounding despite a variety of producers and labels. This time, Sheavy decided to do things on their own terms and go back to basics, recording with original
Electric Sleep /
Celestial Hi-Fi producer Don Ellis strictly using analog tape and releasing the new one via their own label Dallas Tarr Records (a tribute to cofounder and ex-drummer Ren Squires perhaps?) in both a limited edition CD / DVD featuring the band live in March, 2007 as well as a standard CD format.
The Machine That Won The War is based on the exceptionally prolific Issac Asimov’s science fiction novel of the same name. Musically, the band tread similar ground that started with 2002’s
Synchronized, largely leaving their stoney Sabbath legacy of the past behind. On this one, Sheavy sound rawer, heavier, faster and angrier, the songs having more
gravitas than I recall in previous releases. The spirit of 70’s heavy rock is still intact, but this is a Sheavy with some piss n’ vinegar to be sure. It’s definitely riff-centric songwriting, lots of groove, and Sheavy bring the ‘guitar lick’ back into fashion. Although there is really no standout tune here, as a collection of songs
The Machine … works well, especially as a concept album. Given the subject matter, the lyrics bring the dark Asimov storyline to life, a highlight being the pensive, slow-burning “The Dark Carnival” to add contrast to angry metalized rockers like “The Gunfighters”, driving opener “One Of Us Must Be Dead” or renegade robot skull-smashers like “Aboard The Mothership”.
A couple of other things to notice – yes, Steve Hennessey’s voice does bear more than a passing resemblance to Ozzy, but that’s actually Steve’s voice, not a sincere (or other) attempt at hero worship. Also, Keith Foley’s bass work is worth paying attention to with creative runs and fills that complement the anchor he provides – more of this would be a welcome addition to Sheavy music. Lastly, Eliran Kantor’s phenomenal artwork is not given justice when shrunk down to the size of a CD booklet. There is lots going on with light, shade, contrast and detail that settles for nothing less that a triple gatefold double vinyl edition of this release. Man, if I still had the proclivity for weed, I’d be staring at that cover for hours… a lot going on there.
Another solid album from our pals up North. A might bit rawer and aggressive than we’ve heard them before, and the complexity turning an entire book into an album worth of songs is pretty compelling in it’s own right. Not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
Purchase The Machine That Won The War at the Hellride Music Superstore
Read the Hellride reviews of Republic? and Synchronized
Visit the Sheavy website at www.sheavy.com
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