Mark Tremonti is now such a revered guitarist that he could release a triple album of self-indulgent fretboard gymnastics and his fans would still lose their minds. And yet, as evidenced by this conceptual LP of superbly sculpted rock and metal anthemics, he’s no slouch in the songwriting department either. ‘A Dying Machine’ is a defiant coming of age moment for a ‘side band’ who are rapidly outgrowing the tag, standing equal to anything from the Alter Bridge and Creed man’s back catalogue.
On 2015’s ‘Dust’, Tremonti’s third record, it was apparent that his angst-ridden melodic thrash formula, although not lacking in quality, needed shaking up. The result of some major seismic activity in the creative department, ‘A Dying Machine’ has done just that.
Channelling his love of fantasy authors like George R.R Martin, Tremonti has penned a futuristic tale set at the turn of the next century where mankind, for better or worse, has the ability to build synthetic organs and a synthetic brain.
The guitarist is currently finishing a novel to tie in with the album, but has remained tight-lipped about exact plot points. What’s clear is that the music is much more emotionally grounded than its sci-fi premise suggests.
In fact, rather than being a concept album in the traditional sense, these songs essentially function as snapshots of key events from that story. There are no spoken word segments and no short interludes intended to progress a character’s journey. Hell, the tracks aren’t even in any kind of narrative order. Rush and Pink Floyd this isn’t.
Instead, ‘A Dying Machine’ is full of supremely confident and heartfelt tunes that stand on their own two feet. Delving into the plot may well enhance your listening experience, but these songs are so well conceived they transcend their origins thanks to the band exploring universally relatable themes like unrequited love, prejudice, obsession and brutality in a way that’s allowed their sound to broaden and deepen.
Sure, there’s brutally heavy stuff in the shape of Bringer of War, and its thunderous riff is a masterclass in ferocious tension and whiplash release. Throw Them To The Lions, which unleashes a drop-tuned volcanic torrent thanks to well executed tempo changes and Garrett Whitlock’s explosive drumming, is the kind of nightmarish monster that could even make Lucifer sleep with the lights on.
Providing a nice contrast to such pummelling excellence, however, are plenty of dynamic moments that gift the album superb, unexpected mood shifts. The epic title track’s conversational back and forth finds a bludgeoning, beat-down riff counterpointed by lovestruck arpeggio passages. Trust, too, employs new chord voicings to create a dusky blues-metal vibe, and Take You With Me is the classiest Foo Fighters anthem Dave Grohl didn’t write.
Most breathtaking and surprising, though, is soaring love song The First The Last. A scorching, lighter-waving diamond that would be a global smash in more enlightened times, it epitomises a record that’s overflowing with gigantic, fist pumping, sing your heart out hooks.
Armed with such potent refrains, it’s fitting Tremonti are supporting Iron Maiden on their forthcoming tour. These exceptionally well written and performed songs are tailor-made to enthral packed out stadiums and provide the kind of exposure that could see this band rubbing shoulders with the guitarist’s main gigs in the big leagues.
Tremonti Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Thu June 28 2018 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Fri June 29 2018 - LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Sat June 30 2018 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Mon July 02 2018 - BELFAST Limelight
Tue July 03 2018 - DUBLIN Academy
Thu July 05 2018 - PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth Pyramids
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