Explosive release is a new road for Sister Machine Gun!
A. Copp | USA | 05/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Unlike many I wasn't a big fan of BURN the previous outing by CHRIS RANDALL and his band. Though it was good, I felt that it was too electronic. The end result was cold and distanced with little of the life present on SINS OF THE FLESH and TORTURE TECHNIQUE shinning through. But on METROPOLIS that is all different. Though still heavy with electronics the addition of some horns and most impressively, slide guitar makes this sound as alive as a first date.The impressive opening spoken word track THIS METAL SKY (spoken by Randall's wife) sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Though far from a concept album the work does have a theme of humanity overcoming the "industrialization" of the culture. You know emotion over machine, love conquers all, that sort of thing.Though easily available, WAX TRAX! Didn't really support this album enough and left the gang to flounder out on the road on their own. Subsequently they left WAX TRAX! for greener pastures. I caught them opening for TYPE-O-NEGATIVE and found the stripped down live sound to be even more exciting. I sincerely hope a live album is under consideration. This was easily one of the best releases in 97, which was a great year for this type of music anyway."
Sister Machine Gun - 'Metropolis' (TVT)
Mike Reed | USA | 01/13/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Seems like for every genre of music there is,a handful of bands will step barely outside the beaten path.'Metropolis' is SMG's fourth effort.Best described as industrial metal.Having John Fryer(White Zombie)to produce this CD didn't hurt either.Tracks that I thought showed Sister Machine Gun's true colors were "Living Without You","White Lightning","Admit"(for it's full string orchestration)and "Bitter End".Might appeal to fans of Gravity Kills,Fliter,KMFDM and possibly Deftones or Faith Nor More."
S.M.G's "lost album"
Mike Reed | 08/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is really one of s.m.g's best "lost" peices of work, as awesome and well made as this album is, it really didn't see that much exposure like the other albums....why? I have no clue, some say it's because wax trax! didn't lift a finger to promote it. (i beleive it!)A real gem. first off you've got a darkly atmospheric intro featuring c.randall's wifee speaking with her voice lightly distorted over hyper-ventilated blips & bleeps talking about how the corporate world is trying to brain-wash you. Then from there we have an ecclectic album resuming many of the good old fashioned wax trax traditions, mixed up with new suave (but demented) tones. Think like "Burn" just sped up some, and much more polished. This is sister machine gun's last album from wax trax! after this c.randall started up his own positron! records. Best songs: "desperation" " what do you want from me" "think" and "torque". also "admit" will really suprise you, seems kind of odd at first but you understand the passion/fury behind the lyrics, then it grows on you."
The final chapter in music
Mike Reed | 07/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i first got turned on to SMG when they toured with Gravity Kills, and i've been a fan ever since. This album is, in my mind, the culmination of what music can truly be. The album is the perfect infusion of several different (sometimes blaringly so) musical stylings, all woven together like an intricate tapestry of harmony. The pinnacle of the album has to be "Admit." With it's string-and-piano rhythm, it's the most obvious example of music's true potential.The only bad thing about this album? It ended long before i wanted it to."
Another excellent album from an excellent band
Mike Reed | 02/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chirs Randall and crew do it again with another solid album, possible more diverse in influence than even the previous release, "Burn".The album begins with a dark, foreboding segue by Chris' wife Lisa, reminiscent of Nicole Blackman's work with the Golden Palominos. The mood being set, the album kicks off with the electronic dissonance of "Desparation". From here Randall's mission to incorporate what he likes, regardless of genre into his music, becomes beautifully obvious. "Temptation" has sort of a rock-lounge-swing feel to it, "Torque" rocks hard and takes no prisoners, and "White Lightning" incorporates Chris' electronic leanings with rockabilly (yes, that's rockabilly) in a song which is made even more powerful buy the noise guitar antics of David Bowie's guitar player, Reeves Gabrels (whose signature playing also appears on several other tracks).Perhaps the highlight of this album for me is the track "Admit"... when I heard this one for the first time, I was pleasantly, dumbfoundedly awestruck. The song is a masterpiece... a combination of beautiful melody, heartfelt vocals, a string section, and just the right touch of noise from the afore-mentioned Mr. Gabrels. This song is the perfect representation of what Chris can do, and does well throughout the entire album.My only complaint is that this album leaves me anxious with anticipation as to what the bands next move shall be... but whatever it is... believe me, it will be done with diversity in a way that has never been done before."