ALBUM: Machinegun Tongues // ARTIST: Machinegun Tongues
Rock gets ripped an almighty new one by Melbourne quintet Machinegun Tongues and their thumping new self-titled album that dropped last week.
While only recently perched on their debut full-length release, there's a whole world of musical awesome lurking behind the gritty tones of Machinegun Tongues, bringing together a world of killer talent from across the Aussie scene with the likes of Stacey Gray (Trial Kennedy, Ecca Vandal), Nick Adams and Zane Rosanoski (aka Mammal rhythm behemoths), Jordan Nagle (Jericco) and Leon "Roadsaw" Moore on vocals. And while the lineup alone predestines this album to kick unholy amounts of ass, there's equal parts style and substance bubbling away on this eight track freight train that chews you up and spits you out in a whirlwind of riveting rock and roll.
Opening track 'Betty ' (featuring Ugly Kid Joe's Whitfield Crane) erupts with enough tight swagger to rival Grease-era John Travolta. Serving up a droll and blasting rocker, the Machinegun Tongues lads draw on their collective strengths early with rasping vocals, sizzling riffs, brazen basslines and fiery drums settling as the status quo for the rest of the album. 'Blackhearts' leaps in next with swirling textures, clamouring bass and a catchy as heck chorus that will definitely strain a few necks at the next Machinegun Tongues gig.
Our lesson in dynamic rock continues with the rollicking 'Rich Girl', as well as beat-tastic tracks 'Sign O' the Times' and 'Drive' that up the grit ante and drizzle frontman Leon Moore's husky vocals over a distorted wonderland. 'Down South' and 'Lose It' roar in next with menacing riffs and snarling rhythms, before closing track 'Out of Balance' stomps a hole in your neighbour's ceiling with pounding beats and addictive hooks that dissolve into some gnarly feedback to ease you back into reality.
There's a definitive lack of ornate theatrics from the Machinegun Tongues lads with their brand new baby - in place of strutting bravado and gimmicks is instead a heaving amount of talent and fervour that manifests in some good old fashioned rock and roll with a raspy modern twist. Machinegun Tongues certainly don't bit their tongues with this debut album and it's a stellar look into the ballistically bright future for these Melbourne gents.
MACHINEGUN TONGUE'S SELF-TITLED ALBUM IS OUT IN THE WORLD NOW,
FOR ALBUM INFO AND MORE, HEAD HERE.
BY TIANA SPETER