Circle Of One – ‘Tied To The Machine’ (City Boy Records)
CD Reviews
Written by Dom Daley
Saturday, 14 November 2009 16:01
Circle Of One were certainly a new name to me and I popped their album ‘Tied To The Machine’ into my death deck with that usual ‘new band’ excitement stinging my nostrils…
The album opens with a ninety second prelude called ‘Road To Guantanemo’ – hmmmmm, really? The first track proper is the title track ‘Tied To The Machine’ and the first impression, or rather, second impression is that this is a very serious band with a very, no make that VERY, very produced sound – in fact, I’d go so far as to say the sound is friggin’ huge.
When the vocals kick in they could be mistaken for something like Stryper or Shy in their pomp – very grande. What you have here is an album that is equal parts heavy and melodic rock – very melodic in fact – and loads of harmony, all wrapped up in a very slick production. I guess if you like Queensryche then Circle Of One might be a band that you would want to check out.
I have to wait until song number seven before I actually notice a track that gets my foot tapping; ‘Automatic’ has a decent riff but I’m finding it all a bit much and thirteen tracks seems a lot to take in of this type of heavy rock. It’s slick, well crafted and played with equal parts power and melody and wrapped up in a stadium busting production – did I mention the production? – ultimately this music is not for me, but that’s not to say you guys shouldn’t check it out NOW !!!