The End Machine "The Quantum Phase" <REVIEW>
“…almost reminiscent of the glory days of heavy metal when the liquor was dirty and the strippers even more so…”
What does the meaning of Quantum Phase mean? I don’t know, but that giant cylinder in the distance might have an answer. Let’s touch it, see what happens!
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done a written review but I feel like in 2024 I gotta bring back some good use into this website as the focal point of the Metal Robot world! So reviews ahoy! We’re doing this! What do we have for the first review back? Answer: a supergroup by the name of The End Machine… okay I didn’t expect that to be the answer. But we’re gonna roll with it.
Started in 2018 by musicians who’ve graced the public through the likes of Dokken, Dio, Foreigner, and Ted Nugent- okay maybe not all of it A+ material but still! Quite a resume! But that should tell you what to expect for newcomers, we’re going to be seeing some classic, west coast, motorcycle, leather clad, shake your rump and down the whiskey heavy metal goodness. And with a new vocalist in the front, the band has something interesting to offer here. Is that so? What can be expected with the highly anticipated The Quantum Phase?
Let’s start with what I liked a lot. It’s a booty wigglin’, fist shaking good time from front to back. Starting with the galloping groove of “Black Hole Extinction", the tone is immediately set for what’s to come. And as the song gets going with the anthemic chorus and high energy production that shakes the speakers with every snare hit, this is an album that is going to let you feel the energy, which is sorely lacking from a lot of metal production nowadays.
As we go forward, the album’s single “Silent Winter” reminds you of the band’s talent around a good hook, and tracks like “Killer Of The Night” and “Hell Or High Water” exemplify this further with powerful choruses, almost reminiscent of the glory days of heavy metal when the liquor was dirty and the strippers even more so. And with Girish Pradhan’s vocals now a part of the line-up, he’s adding a dynamic that I really enjoy. Am I the only one who’s hearing a little bit of Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge)? No idea, but I love it! While that vocal style isn’t anything new to the hard rock/heavy metal genre, it is a nice touch that I wasn’t expecting but have come to love, especially when the vocals have more grit and rasp as the range gets higher.
And as the album goes on, we hear even more of that heavy metal grit and including more dynamics. The Guns N’ Roses gritty energy in “Stand Up” are prime example, but also bringing in some early grunge vibes (ala Alice in Chains) with “Burning Man”. I swear, I can’t NOT hear the influence of “Man in the Box” on that song.
While the album does keep high energy throughout up to this point, however, the party and revolution sounds can only maintain so much energy for so long. While the radio rock break-up song of “Shattered Glass Heart” is a great song to keep the rock n’ roll going, the album starts to feel dry and “only okay” on songs like “Time” and “Hunted”. These songs aren’t bad at all, they have something to enjoy for heavy metal fans. But, it feels like these two songs were written for the purpose of filling the run time. No idea if that’s the case, but these two have that “Shit, we’re 10 minutes short of the standard, let’s throw together something fast” kind of energy.
Thankfully though, the album starts to get to last call with adrenaline-pumping motorbike riding “Into The Blazing Sun” as well as the catchy (if not slightly generic radio rock) chorus provided by “Stranger In The Mirror”. It’s not an anthemic close, but it feels just right for what the album was providing us.
Overall, "The Quantum Phase" may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. It's a solid addition to any heavy metal fan's playlist, perfect for cranking up in a dive bar and letting loose. With its blend of classic metal vibes and modern flair, The End Machine delivers a thoroughly enjoyable album that fans of the style are more than happy to add to their dive bar playlist.
13.5/15
… because the whiskey proof was 13.5% and I feel funny now. sOmEOnE (hiccup) someone tAAke mah kEys pLSSSS!
Tracklist:
Black Hole Exctintion
Silent Winter
Killer Of The Night
Hell or High Water
Stand Up
Burning Man
Shattered Glass Heart
Time
Hunted
Stranger In The Mirror
Into The Blazing Sun
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