MACHINE ROX

DEVOLUTION magazine: The band made their inception into the alternative and industrial music scene way back in 2007, since then founder and frontman Richard K (ex Global Noise Attack) and his crew have released a fairly decent back catalogue of albums and eps all showcasing promise with sheer passion...until now! This ep isn’t just a promise…it is within these five tracks that the band have excelled and grown into their now very accomplished sound and have come up with a fantastic mix of tracks that have seen them evolve and with their promotional persistence and determination I really hope that this puts them firmly on the music map and that their compositions gets introduced to the right audience now. Its unrelenting, dance floor sustainable melodies with heavy distortion, guitars and gravelly vocals that are confident and demanding all of which make this a very tasty treat indeed. Devolution readers were privileged to hear the first track ‘Move Your Body’ last issue on the covermount cd and I have to maintain that this is probably my favourite song; it’s incredibly strong, appeals to my ‘metal’ side with those dirty grinding guitar riffs, heavy bass and anthem style verses. There is a great depth to the sound of Machine Rox and its diversity is shown within ‘Where You Are’ – I also love how keyboardist Aga’s voice compliments Rich’s vocals perfectly and I would love to hear more from them working together on future tracks. Bandmates Nuj (drums) and Valerian (guitar) are essential to the live aspect of the band and with some incredible shows booked throughout the remainder of 2014 the foursome really can use this year as their time to shine. There is a new album due out in May with the title ‘Next Level’ and never has a title been so very apt…wishing you guys every success!

CrimsonMoonZine: “Machine Rox is the project of Richard Kaltenhauser (aka Richard K), an ex- member of the Industrial bands Meat Machine and Global Noise Attack (GNA) with whom he was bass player, guitarist and programmer. An early enthusiast of the use of electronics in the Goth/Rock scene, he made the natural transition from Goth/Rock to Electro/Industrial. In 2010 the female singer Aga joined Machine Rox and in 2012 they recruited Nuj Farrow on drums and Valerian Oproiu on guitar for live shows. The music is a corrosive blend of Electro, Industrial, Metal and EBM. Richard K also works on electro/industrial club remix for other bands and artists” Move your body (Until you die) The feeling this E.P gives you as you press play and hear its thick heavy unwavering rhythms is breath-taking and will leave you open mouthed! :O Layered with sumptuous dark beats and crisp pumping guitar with fantastic harmonies – I am losing myself as the keyboard flourishes with unbridled passionate notes, deep and powerful - oh I don’t want this to end! I am not in control of my body – Machine Rox has taken full control! This is something else it totally owns your soul and will leave its mark! Night Riots Pulsating rhythmic smacking’s and squelches burst into fueled bruising catchiness. It provokes a certain madness that is hypnotic, frenzied and downright enjoyable. Its powerful beats indeed cause an epidemic of infectious grooves and believe me when I say you will NOT be in control of your limbs as they twitch vehemently to this. Next Nothing I haven’t calmed down from the last two tracks yet and now yet more harshness follows with a rasping vocal that really compliments the equally gnarly music. Again the catchiness will just sweep you into oblivion with the usual twitching of flailing limbs as it pounds ferociously with no let up. Where you are Punchy and rhythmic this shoots into the atmosphere with a pummeling your ears can’t ignore offering sharp acidic little synth notes and more than just atmospheric and eerie with its haunting vocals it flows a jagged path and saunters with a certain swagger of pulsating pleasure. Time to Survive Captivating harsh rhythms this one, which will sweep you onto the dance floor and work you like a puppet. Choppy and mesmerizing with its flurry of shard like synth raining down on you like very sharp knives. Expressive with that sumptuous industrial feel and giving you that certain prime evil feeling of provocative assertiveness.

RingMaster Review: After struggling to catch a breath after the riotous, energetic and overwhelmingly exhausting Activate Your Anger EP from UK industrial/electro band Machine Rox, you can only sit back with a satiated hungry appetite and contemplate basking immediately again in the feast of satisfying sounds. Like that favourite meal you may constantly choose in a restaurant, the release is a familiar and arguably unadventurous encounter for the palate, but one which brings the deepest and fullest senses ravaging pleasure. Machine Rox began in 2007 as the solo project of Richard Kaltenhauser (aka Richard K), a member of industrial bands Meat Machine and Global Noise Attack (who supported the likes of Rammstein, Napalm Death, and Covenant). His ideas and sounds blended the potent essences of electro, industrial, and ebm with a corrosive metallic guitar bred attack for as subsequent releases show an impacting and incendiary brawl of a magnetic encounter. The arrival of Aga in 2010 on backing vocals and keyboards brought the project into a band stance with two years later joining Aga and Richard (electronics, vocals, guitars), drummer Nuj Farrow and guitarist Valerian Oproiu added their presence for the live aspect of the band. Since then Machine Rox has supported bands such as Leaetherstrip, V2A, and Deviant UK, and played numerous successful and acclaimed shows and festivals. Activate Your Anger follows a quartet of well received EPs which has increased their stature rapidly but with the new Static Distortion Label EP and its increased aggression, intensity, and contagious energy, expectations are of this being a trigger point to even greater awareness. The London based band immediately coats the ear in a static cursed electro rub instantly joined by heavy caustic riffs, predatory 175430660-1beats, and burning sonics as opener Move Your Body (Until You Die) winds up its lethal dance. A thumping pulse driven rampage with devilment and rhythmic belligerence in tow is an easy persuasion especially with the dual vocals of Richard and Aga offering a devil and angel seduction. Whether from the acidic melodic venom of the guitar or the bewitching wantonness of the electro spotlights and their spearing shafts of warmth, the track is an unrelenting tempest which incites a full engagement and compliance to its irresistible call. The following Night Riots is not just content to follow in the wake of its compelling predecessor without making its own contagious declaration on the ear which it does by initially provoking and caging the senses in commanding and synapse resonating throaty beats. Hitting the primal target which leads again to capitulation before the forceful and greedy energy as well as the infectious temptation beckoning and grinning from every note and corner of the track, the band without quite matching the potency of the first track holds the passions in its grasp and takes them on an invigorating irresistible ride. Next Nothing steps up to offer a snarl to the release which reminds of Ghost In The Static, its bruising and scuzzy sound and intensive sinews the most imposing and threatening part of the EP. It like all the songs has hooks which deep root themselves in the listener for the most potent contagion though up against the following Where You Are still looks like a novice in that department. Taking centre stage with an instantaneous swagger and impossibly catchy lure, the new song is an intoxicating hypnotist with sparking crystalline seduction and an authoritative cogent rhythmic web which enslaves the senses and passions. Virulently infectious with a presence which is like Dead Or Alive meets Hanzel und Gretyl with Marilyn Manson and Angelspit in close attention, the track is electro manna for which there is no defence. Bringing the release to an equally riveting and explosive conclusion is firstly Time To Survive, the track bringing back a thicker muscular wall of sound to further tease and exploit the now brewed ardour towards it with insidiously entrancing sonic enticement and ravenous heavy duty rapaciousness, and finally a remixed version of Next Nothing. Though Activate Your Anger does not offer anything dramatically new, it and Machine Rox unleash a tempestuous energy exploding experience which few recently have rivalled.  8.5/10 


INTRAVENOUS MAGAZINE: The band's previous EP 'Harder' was a simple but fairly effective collection of dance-orientated industrial that, while refreshingly honest, was lacking in that something to truly endear them. This time the duo's new EP, 'Activate Your Anger' seems a lot more focussed and musically could be a real game changer. The album sounds fuller and a lot more confident in its approach. The one biggest criticism of their previous offerings was the quality of the vocals. But this is no longer a problem. The dual vocals sit comfortably within the mix and Aga's contributions gel a lot better than before. Songs like 'Night Riots', 'Next Nothing', and 'Time To Survive' show the band are finally reaching that level that they had always had aspirations towards. The lead melodies are catchy, the beats are hard and the guitars flesh out the bottom end in a very pleasing way. But it's the remix of 'Next Nothing' that is perhaps the strongest track on the EP and will no doubt get plenty of spins on the dancefloor. Though it does highlight that the band, although drastically improved, can still push themselves further. This is a very strong outing for the band and one that should start turning people's heads. The production sounds the best it ever has. All the musical ideas and elements also just seem to come together with a lot more ease. There is still a little room for improvement, sure. But perhaps now is the time to go for the big push and that long overdue full-length album.

SIDE-LINE MAGAZINE:  Machine Rox has a sort of cyber-goth image reminding me to some of their compatriots like Ext!ze and V2A. The band started as a solo-project of Richard K (Meat Machine) in 2007 and got its final line-up in 2012. After the release of a few EP’s the album “Shout” has now been dropped to conquer the world. And “Shout” is a real revelation. Machine Rox perfectly merges metal and electronics together. Sound-wise the band is a bit comparable to the aforementioned bands, but Machine Rox sounds harder because of the impressive and merciless guitar playing. A few songs remind me a bit of the legendary Cubanate. This work also features elements of EBM –especially for the bass lines, while rather melodious choruses have been empowered by violent guitar assaults. Richard K still is the lead singer of the band, but he’s joined on backings by the delicious Aga. She injects a malicious, but angelic touch on top of the songs. The formula of Machine Rox is quite easy, but damn efficient. They’ve found the right balance between guitars and electronics. The sound is quite aggressive and yet refined because of the solid and melodic lead parts. Conclusion: An album filled with a turbo engine resulting in multiple great songs. Machine Rox could be the next revelation in cyber-metal land.

Street Voice UK Magazine: Machine Rox – Next Level: What started out as a solo project for Richard K is now far beyond that and the proof of that lays with this eleven track album. ‘Next Level’ may seem a bit clean in places but overall it’s a decent listening experience if you enjoy the industrial rock / metal scene. The quality and originality of this release just leaves you with an appetite for more. I can see why they’ve shared stages with the likes of Rammstein and Napalm Death. Go on and check them out. Tracks such as ‘Lost My Mind’, ‘Love Explosion’ and ‘You Belong To Me’ really did it for me! A band that seriously need to be checked out! 9/10

  RAMzine: Meat Machine and Global Noise Attack member Richard K started Machine Rox as a personal side project, which grew into the band as it stands today. Completing the line-up is guitarist Valerian Oproriu, keyboard and backing vocals Aga, and newest member of Machine Rox, Drummer Nuj Farrow who joined in 2012. ‘Next Level’ is Machine Rox second studio offering the band are looking to evaluate and push the boundaries of Industrial Metal. Taking their own musical style which is a blend of hard hitting metal guitars and electro synthesizers. ‘Lost My Mind’ will be the introduction to Machine Rox for most people, synthesizer and guitar work draw you into the track before you get hit by the full force of the bands musical weight, Richard K’s vocals command you to listen.machine rox ‘Love Explosion’ goes into full electro mode with more FM synth’s than you can shake a glow stick at. The band tip their hats to Rob Zombie, before breaking into a brilliant but brief guitar solo accompanied by more synthesizer work bring the track to completion. ‘Illusion’ progresses the album, changing tack with the drums and bass setting the tone of the whole track. This is followed by the up tempo ‘Cycle Complete‘ perfect for listening to whilst driving just watch your speed, as you might find yourself with a pair of flashing blue lights added to your rave. Aga’s vocal leads the Machine Rox into ‘Last Kamikaze’ that is slow and ponderous giving you a break from the intensity of the last 6 tracks, with a flavour of Pendulum from their ‘In Silco‘ / ‘Hold in your Colour‘ days. ‘My Own Religion’ has a distinctly Depeche Mode feeling to it and sending the senses into overload before the final two tracks ‘Mind Game‘ and ‘You Belong to Me‘ bring the album to it climax. ‘Next Level’ certainly lives up to its name musically, I hope that this will firmly put Machine Rox on the radar and promote the genre as a whole. I think that the album would have benefitted from a known producer adding their touch to the album. This could have helped to add some higher production values to the Machine Rox sound with the added bonus of raising the profile of Machine Rox. I also understand the D.I.Y nature that surrounds this particular sub-genre and how hard it can be to produce an album. I think that this will please the fans and win them new support. Check Machine Rox out if you are a fan of Rammstein, Combichrist or Rob Zombie’s Solo work. 8/10

INTRAVENOUS MAGAZINE: Following on from last year's dull-length début 'Shout', London's Machine Rox have waisted no time in unleashing another collection of industrial metal head-bangers. They took their time before releasing their first album, but 'Shout' saw the quartet become the band that they had strived to be, hard, fast and surprisingly club-friendly. 'Next Level' as the title suggests sees the band aiming to raise their game further with a sharper focus and some even better riffs. The guitars are loud and savagely distorted, the synths are slick and catchy, and the vocals sound better than on any previous album. Songs such as 'Love Explosion', 'Electric Sun', 'Cycle Complete', 'My Own Religion', and 'You Belong To Me' really show how far the band have come in terms of songwriting and execution. They are heavier, tighter, more polished and not afraid to mix things up, such as in the lush instrumental 'Last Kamikaze' or the fist-in-the-air southern rock riffing of 'Losers In Your Game'. The production has continued to improve as well on this release with far fewer instances of the vocals getting swamped by the guitars. It still has a roughness to it's sound, but when the synths are high in the mix it creates quite a nice balance between their dirty rock and slick dance sides. If the band's aim was to raise their game to the next level with this album, they have certainly achieved that. The album takes a big step on from the solid foundation of 'Shout' and consolidates their position as a force to be reckoned with. The band's confidence has soared over the past couple of years and the effect it has had on their output has been impressive. If they can continue this kind of pace at this level they will only continue to see their stock rise further.


RingMaster: British industrial metallers Machine Rox has never been a slouch in stirring up ears and emotions with its fiery and rapacious energy and imagination, but the London quartet has found a new covetous creative tenacity to consume the senses with new album Next Level. As its title declares, the eleven track adventure sees the band rise to a new plateau in songwriting, sound, and sheer contagious enterprise. Not exactly a game changer but an encounter to set a fierce new blaze within the landscape of industrial and electro rock, Next Level is a gripping and feistily enjoyable rampage. Originally formed by musician/songwriter Richard K as a solo project in 2007, Machine Rox has evolved into a full line-up consisting of guitarist Val Oproiu, drummer Nuj Farrow, and Aga on keys and vocals alongside vocalist/bassist/ programmer Richard K. Employing his experiences in bands like industrial metallers Meat Machine and Global Noise Attack, and in the sharing of stages with the likes of Rammstein, Napalm Death, and Covenant, Richard after some time away from music began exploring a merger of metal and electro rock in his band’s emerging sound. It is a journey which has intensified and grown with accompanying acclaim through releases such as the Activate Your Anger EP and debut album Shout, both in 2013. Last year also saw the release of the more metal infused Intox EP, a tasty hint of the exploits to be found on Next Level, though to be fair the band’s electro and industrial side is as vocal and potently evolved on the album. The album flirts with ears straight away through the opening crystalline electro coaxing of Lost My Mind. The first track takes little time to flex its muscles and intensity though, sinew packed riffs and rhythmic teasing combining to challenge and ignite the senses as the vocals of Richard K similarly work on thoughts with his raw expression. The electronic lure of the track provides a contagious enterprise whilst the muscular strength of the song and the vocal bait adds anthemic essences, it all adding up to a riveting and impressive start. The melodic Front Line Assembly meets Ghost In the Static feel of the song is replaced by the more caustic breath and ferocity of Love Explosion, KMFDM and Godflesh coming to mind though as with all songs the finished recipe is all a2738925395_2Machine Rox. The second track also unleashes an insatiable energy and charge to its pulsating persuasion, synths swirling feistily around the senses whilst guitars and beats cast a heavier and darker confrontation in the relentlessly infectious endeavour. With a glorious solo adding to the proposition, the song continues the outstanding start to the release and is immediately emulated by the heavy and catchy swing of Losers In Your Game. A Marilyn Manson-esque swagger fuels carnivorous riffs and eager rhythms whilst vocally Richard K prowls ears with a provocative narrative cast by his distinctive tones, the mix another slab of inescapable virulence. Next Level is an album which holds a greater diversity than any Machine Rox release to date, the following warm mellow embrace of Electric Sun one example of the different sides to the character of the album. It is a melodic and seductive smouldering reminding of fellow Brits MiXE1, but also a song unafraid to spread a rawer climate across its sultry canvas; keys and guitars merging extremes for a heat wave of evocative and imaginative adventure. Both Illusion and Cycle Complete keep body and emotions aflame, the first a bubbling yet bordering on corrosive devilry gaining swift enslavement of feet and imagination, whilst the second has a sinister edge to its imposing presence and electronic fascination. A throaty bass flavouring adds to the song’s drama, its weave of noir kissed shadows soaking the otherwise magnetically fiery track driven by vibrant electronics, heavy metallic riffery, and enticing vocals of Richard and Aga. Though neither song quite finds the plateau of their predecessors, both leave an already hungry appetite greedier before making way for the bewitching instrumental Last Kamikaze. Keys and guitars entwine with melodic beauty whilst the electronic atmosphere of the track provides a mesmeric soundscape for thoughts to drift into their own adventure through. There is also a sterner intimidation offered by slow but voracious riffery, again a blend which results in a stunning incitement for ears and emotions. The aggressive yet welcoming presence of Breathe Again comes next, its striking metal seeded attack and rabid toxicity instantly contagious as a spice reminding of Gravity Kills and Die Krupps shows itself. Another scorching solo from Val Oproiu lights the exciting and scintillating tempest, its impressive offering contrasted and matched by My Own Religion as a resonating electro temptation swallows the senses to breed a similar weighty enticement as its predecessor. Only nailed to the floor feet could resist its enthralling call whilst the raw glaze to the vocals and the scything guitar invention gives the rest of the body a welcome work over. The two songs show another twist in the nature of the album but each slightly pales against the might of Mind Game. It is a thunderous provocation, rhythms and riffs the heaviest on the album and melodies the most acidic as it evolves into an irresistible almost savage stomp which leaves thoughts and lungs breathless. The album closes with You Belong To Me, itself another slab of industrial metal loaded with creative voracity and uncompromising attitude within heavyweight infectiousness. It is a thrilling end to an enthralling and rigorously compelling album. Next Level is without doubt Machine Rox at their most potent and thrilling yet, the start of a new adventure which should push the band into a new and greedy industrial /electronic spotlight.

Powepoints Magazine:
Machine Rox is the brainchild of ex Meat Machine man Richard K. As you would expect from a man whose former projects have graced stages with the likes of Rammstein and Napalm Death, Machine Rox make the kind of industrial electro rock that sound tracked a thousand cyber-goth club nights back in the 90s, and, I would somewhat controversially argue, was the forerunner of not just the electro influenced metal that’s ubiquitous now but also of other modern genres like dub-step. However, much like Bill Clinton, the music of the 90s lost much of its power and influence and became supplanted by newer things. So, where does that leave Machine Rox, plying industrial rock in 2014? Well, if these songs are anything to go by, then it might we’ll be time for a revival. Make no mistake, this is still exciting, vital stuff, and from the first few pounding bars of opener‘Lost My Mind’,it’s clear that industrial rock done well has as much dance floor filling power as it ever did, and this is industrial rock done very well. Even if your head’s not nodding by the end of ‘Lost My Mind’,then it almost certainly will be by the time the pummelling beat of‘Breathe Again’ and the sinuous grooves of ‘Illusion’get their claws into you. In fact, on the evidence that Machine Rox are putting forward here, you could even say it’s time to sweep away all the hybrid electro-metalcore pups who are mere pretenders to the throne, dust off your fluorescent hair extensions, and enjoy a full blown industrial revival.


Whisperin and Hollerin:
The electropop doodles that occupy the opening bars of the album don’t exactly scream ‘industrial metal’, but then the dense wall of noise guitars blast in like a jet engine, almost loud enough to drown our Richard K’s snarling vocals. The production’s bright, the synthetic snare cuts through the heavy fizz. But for all the rage, the big, big chorus and bouncy synth is pure pop. There’s no shortage of stomping, fist-pumping anthems – ‘Losers in Your Game’ and the thumping ‘My Own Religion’ being clear standouts.
The slower, softer and more electronic ‘Electric Sun’ is reminiscent of Depeche Mode or PHM era NIN with sweeping shoegaze guitars, a dark and expansive and remarkably sensitive unballad. It’s back to the technoindustrial grind with the KMFDM-like ‘Illusion’ and the frenetic dancefloor metal of the snarling ‘Cycle Complete’. There’s plenty of high-octane firepower to come, too, with the incendiary disco-metal of ‘Breathe Again’ and the Ministry-influenced ‘Mind Game’ delivering the venomous goods.

Pagan Hel review:
Lost my Mind