Mechanism – Shadows and Dust LP
In today’s music industry, one can find a group of guys, mixing heavy guitar riffs with high energy drums and a screaming lead singer in almost any major city, throughout the world. Some will never get off the ground and some, probably, never should. Metal, being the genre that it is, tends to get easily overlooked by many music fans, especially since the days when metal ruled the music industry seem to be long gone. It takes a special band, with a special recipe of serious musicianship, mixed with a gripping understanding of the genre and how to get under the skin of metal fans, to gain the music industry’s attention. For the last few years, I’ve watched Mechanism go from being an underground garage-type band, to a powerhouse group of professional musicians that, no doubt, have that recipe going on.
Having released an earlier EP and, after playing countless live shows throughout the pacific northwest, along with word of mouth from their inner-core of fans and friends, I became aware of Mechanism in 2010, three years after they formed. Since that time, I’ve gotten to know the band’s lead guitar player, Tony DeLisio, who has become the band’s most visible spokesperson. Tony was only so kind, as to send me a copy of Mechanism’s first full-length album, Shadows and Dust, which was released on January 13, 2013. While many hardcore music fans will simply love just about anything that gets thrown their way, I tend to be a lot pickier, when it comes to new music. As many know, Little Queen Music is heavily invested in bringing the rock and roll scene back to the level of integrity that it once had, instead of the garbage can of anything goes that it’s become, by giving visibility to those that show that they have what it takes to be a well respected member of the rock and roll industry. Having recently seen a live video of the band, performing one of the new songs from the new album, I was only too willing to take a listen to the entire body of work that has become Shadows and Dust.
One of the tracks, entitled “Dear God”, reminded me of the days of Motley Crue’s Shout at the Devil LP, a fond memory of my teen years. While Crue was always the band that sang about living the wild life of rock and roll, Mechanism brings an even more profound message with Shadows and Dust. The album is riddled with social and political messages, all of which are relevant to today’s society, both young and not. When many metal songs come off as dark and angry, each song on Shadows and Dust seems to bring a more intelligent message. It’s as though they are bringing about social and political awareness, but doing it in an uber cool way. The album is not only tight in it’s musicianship, it actually has something to say, making it a complete package. Add all of that in with the band’s live performances, and you’ve got the recipe that makes a band remain relevant in today’s heavy metal music industry.
Recently, the band held a CD release party at the Showbox in Seattle. While they have yet to release a professional music video, you can check them out, below, performing “Devil With A Gun”. After seeing the video, there’s no doubt that this band needs a MUCH bigger venue and stage, with the kind of energy they bring to their live performances.
With heavy influences from legendary metal bands, such as Megadeth, Slayer, Randy Rhoads, and Pantera, one can say that Mechanism rocks harder than Crue used to, and they are obvious in their determination to bring back the integrity that was once given to the metal genre, by all of those legends. This is a band that is destined for legendary status, having become one of the most popular metal bands in the pacific northwest. This is a band that the world needs to see and hear.
Mechanism’s Lineup
Ryan Renfield – Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar
Tony DeLisio – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Bobby D’Angelo – Bass/Backing Vocals
Daryl Williams – Drums
Shadows and Dust Track List
1. Shadows and Dust
2. Devil With A Gun
3. Illuminati
4. Them
5. Prepare For War
6. Equinox
7. Dear God
8. This Machine
9. Nothing Changes
To check out more from Mechanism, visit the following links
Mechanism Official Website - Hear Shadows and Dust and buy the album
Mechanism Live – YouTube Channel - Past and present live performances
Mechanisms – Official Facebook - Keep up on all of the band’s news and releases
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