Scream Machine - The Chronicles Of Sin

Since 'Zero' and 'Devil Bitch' have been catalyst to promoting Scream Machine to a much winder audience, the band have done two things :

- a) Collectively gained a reputation for releasing more material than ":Wumpscut:" and "And One" combined.
- b) Released their first double album, and for the first time in their history, put together a full, professional CD package.

With "Chronicles", we are shown two sides to Scream Machine - Disc 1 "Brutalizer" and Disc 2 "Scumbag" both contain twelve tracks, complete with hidden pieces, to make a 26-piece buffet of Guitars and Rage. Here, I'll attempt to pinpoint the finest items on each menu.

"Brutalizer" starts with the eponymous track, with Cosmo's downtuned Danzig-esque riffing meeting SinDelle's venomous vocal style, and both instruments are working together in a harmony to really get to your head and attack you - this is just heavy, heavy, heavy.

"Parasite" has to be mentioned - this track features Fredrik Croona, adding Scream Machine to a roster also consisting of Anamadim, Say Just Words, and various other acts of critical acclaim. It's actually radically different to anything you'd expect Mr. Croona to work with, but it gives a fourth dimension to Scream Machine, and manages to keep the release interesting - at 26 tracks you can forgive "Average Joe" and his concerns.

I'm also radically impressed with "Bonebreaker", the title doesn't really hold any reservations, and it's just so violent to hear SinDelle yelling "Bonebreaker" into her Mic.

"Fall Down" is the first synth driven track, and it stands out like a snowman in a desert. It's mellow, and for the second time since "Monsters" (on "Zero"), gives the true EBM fanbase reason to stop at Scream Machine HQ and give it some thought.

"Scumbag" starts with "Sin-Eater", which takes a bit more of a traditional Industrial Rock edge, and becomes less Danzig, more Pantera - the difference is noticeable, but i'm yet to pinpoint the main change between A and B.

"Bleed" is brilliant - it could be Killing Joke, Weezer, or even Faith No More, but it still remains trademark SM - it's more playful and less distorted, and I guess this is the friendlier side of the act.

"Skincrawler" is one of my other real "repeat" tracks, with a sweet little intro that stands out once again. I've always noted that similarity is an issue of this group, and genre, but there's always the right care taken to insert a radically different track between the sludge and guitar-driven work to keep the release interesting, and it's demonstrated once again.

Essentially, "Brutalizer" is more similar to "Zero" in aggression and idea, and "Scumbag" reflects "Devil Bitch" and is probably my preferred disc on the release.

26 tracks might be too much, but the two seperate albums could act as seperate sittings, and 13 tracks is welcome indeed.

I admire the duos increased foray into synth work, and the use of guest musicians is a great move. The decision to move into the territories of releasing a full-blown CD package is a great move, and following my advice on both previous reviews is also something I'm pleased to see. (NB : There are elements of critique that haven't been addressed, and I'm actually glad to see that Cosmo and Sin aren't blindly sculpturing this act to appease anyone who dares criticise - they're doing what they want, and tightening the fit for extra comfort - kudos).

There's no holes to pick that haven't already been addressed, so I'll send this review off with a final verdict.

Way above average. Apr 17 2012