Mach FoX – Chaos Of Man (Digital/Cassette Album – Phage Tapes)
Mach FoX is best known as the frontman of the American Dark-Electro project Zwaremachine. However, he has been active in music for quite some time, with his earliest work dating back to the early 2000s. This new release was originally written for a forthcoming Zwaremachine album, but following the sudden death of drummer ‘Dein Offizier’, the material no longer fully fit within the Zwaremachine framework. As a result, Mach FoX decided to release it under his own name.
The seven tracks sound distinctly different from what we are accustomed to with Zwaremachine, but also from earlier Mach FoX releases. There is a clear and deliberate attempt to reconnect with the golden years of Wax Trax! records. What emerges is a typically American Industrial sound, driven by slow, bombastic rhythms and topped with a blend of guitars and electronics. The deep basslines, on the other hand, are more reminiscent of the 1980s New-Wave, recalling bands such as The Bollock Brothers. Rising above the sonic intensity is Mach FoX’s voice, occasionally supported by female backing vocals.
I am particularly drawn to the first four tracks on the album, which, in my opinion, stand out as the strongest material. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Point Of Power”:
https://machfox.bandcamp.com/track/points-of-power
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