From Locked Down To Nailed Down: So Far, So Good, So What Now for Machina Kore?
While the rest of the music industry took a breather this January following the festive season, 2023 was off to a powerful start for Irish band Machina Kore, having released a trailer for their new single and video ‘Those Among Us’, at midnight on January first, appointing new guitarist and fourth member, Gary ‘Jacko’ Jackson, on January 18th, launching the aforementioned ‘Those Among Us’, on January 20th, as well as two further singles planned for release this side of summer, and debut album due to launch later this year.
Following Machina Kore’s pandemic induced formation in February 2021 and the birth of their lockdown debut EP, ‘Blood In Code’ that May, a teething period saw Machina Kore’s line- up evolve into their current three-piece, comprising of; original frontman, vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, Gareth ‘Moro’ Morrow (Sinocence founder and writer); original bass player, Sean ‘Seany’ Haughian (Kelwan); and later, drummer and previous co- musician with Morrow, Davy ‘Cassa’ Cassidy (Sinocence, Million Dollar Reload); the following October.
Having previously reviewed ‘Blood In Code’ and been blown away by the epic progressiveness and metallic but melodic majesty of ‘Wither’, ‘Exile’, ‘Footprint on a Death Mask’ and ‘God From Machine’, I, among other fans have eagerly anticipated this new Machina Kore output. After fifteen months of Morrow, and Haughian perfecting their inherent and immediate chemistry with Cassidy; the three musicians co- writing a solid block of new material; several months of intense practice and a video shoot at James Wilson’s Studio 2’, County Armagh, as well as an afternoon recording at Frankie McClay’s ‘Einstein Studios’, County Antrim; the silence has finally broken with ‘Those Among Us’, now streaming on all major online platforms, and, is by no means anti- climactic, as Los Angeles fan and rock music expert, Craig Clewett attests on YouTube, ‘Been waiting for this one and the boys didn’t disappoint’.
As the world has progressed through pandemic and post- pandemic restrictions, Machina Kore have progressed from a primarily electronic and distance based collaboration process to a return to old school studio jamming, rehearsal and recording; including a move from their previous, solid but somewhat formulaic metal percussion style; to that of Cassidy’s classic, yet uniquely passion fuelled hard rock and funk infused drumming, influenced by Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, to name a few of the artists he literally wears on his sleeves.
All this complimenting Morrow’s impassioned yet indignant, Dave Mustaine- meets- Maynard James Keenan- esque vocals, crescendo building vocal lines and relentlessly furious riffs; as well as Haughian honing his, ever so heavy, bass with equal magnitude to the rest of the ensemble, and a zeal, unequaled, by the mediocre bass background and accompaniment found all too often in the world of rock; the result is five minutes and 54 seconds of hard-hitting, heavy but haunting, musical comeback with conviction. ‘Those Among Us’ is Machina Kore in surround sound.
From the outside it’s hard to believe this metal powerhouse is merely a trio. Seeing, however is believing in what is not only Machina Kore’s debut music video but Gareth Morrow’s directorial debut. Envisioned and created by Morrow and self- produced by the three band members, with a helping hand from long- time friend, Paul ‘Tonto’ Thompson, the 6 minute 13 second promo, splices live studio footage with war imagery in an MTV Headbanger’s Ball- era fashion with a modernised edge, to convey the song’s message and it’s continued relevance today. Lyricist Morrow states that the song, ‘explores the path from action to consequence and how widespread it’s effects can be felt’.
Editing was carried out by Morrow himself, adding yet another string to his bow, with Haughian and Cassidy consulting. Rehearsal shots from a wide range of angles, with a uniquely unpretentious prominence on the instruments being played, are edited against stock war themes to carry a message applicable to considerable other scenarios.
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As well as these classic early metal conventions, minus any limelight- thirsty focus on individual band members, a contemporary layer is added to the hue of the picture in the use of a (Netflix Original’s) ‘Stranger Things’, inspired blue colour grading, often seen in the show’s ’Upside Down’ realm. Like the show itself, this serves to revive the nostalgia of 80’s culture with today’s technological advances.
While Morrow and Cassidy have previously enjoyed success as founding members of signed acts, including that of Classic Rock’s own record label; embarked on European and American tours; played major festivals, including Download and Bloodstock; and supported several big names including Alice Cooper and their own heavy metal heroes, Machine Head; Machina Kore’s primary objective is not notoriety, but musical authenticity and integrity, as they aim to make the music they believe in, at all costs.
With the existing triad sharing; not only a rare musical affinity; common modest values; and the talent, dedication, and motivation to create the incredible piece of music that is, ‘Those Among Us’, it’s not surprising they had some reservations about re- adding a second guitarist at this stage. The addition of Gary ‘Jacko’ Jackson, however, preempted the new release, as organically as the Christmas card/ New Year text message exchange, between himself and old band- mate, Cassidy, that brought it about.
Born in County Armagh, Ireland, like his new counterparts, Jackson’s love for music was, aside from some of his mum’s old rock n’ roll records and punk tunes emanating from his older cousins’ bedrooms, self- discovered. Having first formed an appreciation for heavy metal through AC/DC, Anthrax and Black Sabbath among others, he was inspired to play guitar at age 13 after watching a Jimi Hendrix documentary which prompted him to acquire his first guitar and amp. After a short stint alongside Cassidy in ‘Whomanwhat’, Jackson quickly got bored playing covers. The two then released a few original demos together in punk/ funk/ alternative metal band, ‘Bob’, alongside Lurgan co- founder, bassist and vocalist, Paul King.
After a period of quitting guitar to focus on his own alternative clothing line, ‘Junkie Inc. Clothing’, Jackson’s passion for what he loved most was, like that of so many artists, re- kindled during the pandemic. Setting up a studio, re- learning, playing along to, and posting his favourite songs on social media, as well as taking and performing requests merely to pass the time; this was a man seeking a challenge. That being so, as anyone who’s ever played beside Morrow on guitar will testify, he’s joined the right band.
With Morrow and Haughian anchoring the band’s metal bedrock, a shared history and camaraderie cementing the four performers together, as well as, Cassidy and Jackson’s mutual penchant for the funky and genre- defying flip side of rock music with favourites including; Jane’s Addiction, Faith No More, The Smashing Pumpkins and Frank Zappa; Jackson affirms that this is, ‘the perfect time to join the band as the lads are writing new music so I will get a chance to put my own stamp on some new tunes’. He also adds that he is ‘looking forward to playing music with a great bunch of lads’. Not only have Machina Kore nailed it with, ‘Those Among Us’, but also, simultaneously nailed down the perfect addition to Machina Kore as assuredly as the logo on their new single cover.
Post- pandemic, decent metal has been hard to come by. Slipknot, Machine Head and Korn aside, who respectively accounted for anything outstanding, fresh or innovative that the top end of metal had to offer 2022, with albums; The End, So Far, Øf Kingdom and CrØwn and, Requiem; in that particular order, pickings have been slim. With old reliables like Megadeth, Anthrax and Ozzy Osbourne continuing to release solid, respectable, but, same- old material, such as, most recent albums; ‘The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!’ (2022), ‘XL’ (2022) and ‘Patient Number 9’ (2022) respectively, while metal legends, Metallica are flogging a dead horse, with recent singles; ‘Lux Æterna’ (2022) and ‘Screaming Suicide’ (2023), it’s becoming all too clear we are living in a metal recession.
When four small town, working class guys with full- time jobs, family commitments, and the same financial restrictions as the next man in the current economic crisis, are producing music that rivals the best signed acts of it’s genre and exceeds the quality of that by the very artists that inspired them, who have unlimited resources and funds at their disposal; we are evidently living in a musical ‘upside down’.
That being the case, with the professionalism and production quality of Machina Kore’s new single as perfectly polished as the silver bullets of it’s artwork; a video as lit as Joyce Byers’ house, and the ultimate line- up nailed in tight for all future releases; humility aside, ‘Those Among Us’ is, without doubt, the beginning of Machina Kore’s new history, and hopefully a relevant chapter in that of metal and music at large. After all, stranger things have happened.
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