The Demo Review:
Band Name: Man Bites God
Demo Title: Hate Machinery
Band Members: Mikko Muranen
Location: Finland

Rating: 3 Skulls

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    • Goatwhore's Review:
    I have a great affinity for the style of aggressive metal that was prevalent in the early to mid-nineties. I'm talking about the classic stuff that was generated by the likes of Pantera, Machine Head, Fear Factory and Sepultura. This strand of metal hasn't been carried forward to the extent or degree that I wish it had been. (Aside: Yet it is present in bands as diverse as Lamb of God and Meshuggah. And in spite of the fact that these bands aren't exactly fresh green buds that have just recently popped up, they are still viewed as being "up and coming" artists. I'm sorry for rambling. It's definitely time to switch back to my original ADD medication.)

    That long-winded intro wasn't completely without focus, however, for Man Bites God's demo Hate Machinery is a fine example of the aforementioned sub-genre of metal. While this demo certainly doesn't pave any new ground, it does adequately bring back that feeling I get, even to this day, when I listen to some of that early 90s stuff. The industrial metal approach is simple, but extremely predictable and formulaic. On the flip side, the simplicity proves to be an asset in that the music sounds like lone member Mikko Muranen has read a page or two from the works of Fear Factory and Misery Loves Company. Oddly enough, this regurgitation brings a smile to my face.

    Normally, I would be sharpening my pen and gritting my teeth to butcher this kind of artist, but the band strikes a chord, though it's admittedly due to nostalgia. The compositions are sound; the production is rough around the edges but clear enough to properly hear, and the vocals . . . wow! The vocals!!! As the bio states, Carcass, Dark Throne and Ministry are influences, and Man Bites God's vocalist does an interesting job of combining all three with the European-accented English delivery of the vocalists of those artists.

    Without the saving grace of the vocals, however, I'd probably be slamming this demo with reckless abandon. The problem here is that the band doesn't attempt to engage itself to do anything even remotely challenging. That doesn't mean that it needs to be revolutionary, prog-metal oriented, or nu-jack, but it does mean that I'm not going to listen to this . . . well, quite honestly, I won't listen to this beyond the 3-4 times I've listened to it today.

    Also, a three song demo should probably include varied songs, not the same-y kind of ones on hand here. A full length release of this material surely would have elicited a more scathing response by yours truly.
    3 out of 5

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