HUMAN ENGINE

Had I turned this debut by this band off within the first three or four tracks, I would have dismissed these guys as being nothing more than a shameless Meshuggah clone, and moved on with my life. Indeed, Spanish newcomers Vortice take more than a few straws from the math metal titans, although there is more going on here than I originally gave them credit for. 'Human Engine' is the first album by these guys, and immediately, I can see these guys fitting into a tight niche with listeners set and ready to dive into their headbang-prone grooves and explosive rhythms. Although Vortice are evidently far from the most original outfit I've heard in recent times, they give a strong performance here.

Generally, the wave of bands that follows the style of pummeling math rhythms andguitar tones of Meshuggah have been labelled as 'djent', a style that's gained some surprising momentum over the past couple of years. However, I would not necessarily pile Vortice in with those bands. Usually, the djent bands would take Meshuggah's palm-muted riffs, and add a more accessible element to the sound, such as clean vocals or a more clearly defined sense of melody. Vortice on the other hand stick mostly to the sound and style of Meshuggah, at times almost to the point of replication. We have the lack of melody here, as well as the shouted vocals and unrelenting heaviness. At least for the first part of the album, Vortice gives absolutely not impression that they are anything more than a Meshuggah clone. The music is played as well as Meshuggah, and it is no less enjoyable than your average Meshuggah record. What makes it less impressive is the fact that Meshuggah innovated that sound, whereas it seems Vortice only attempts to emulate the glory of another. That's where my review would have stopped if this album had been comprised only of the first half of 'Human Engine'.

By the second half however, I start hearing some better things that began to indicate to me that Vortice really has alot of potential. There are more melodic sections here, and even a section towards the end that amounts to a very quiet and eerie buildup. Still, there is not too much to take Vortice out of Meshuggah's shadow, but it does indicate to me that there is potential for this band to get out of that gimmick and do something perhaps a little more... well, original, for starters. Vortice plays this style very well, and they get some great grooves across. The production is quite nice as well, albeit a little dry from the modern digital do- over.

Hopefully with albums released after the debut, Vortice will take their talent as musicians and their great sense of grooves and do something a little more distinctive with it. It is granted that not all bands are going to find a truly innovative style to work with, but at least in the case of these guys, bringing something new and fresh to the table could help them get out of the shadow of their big influence.

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