TRUTH - Machine

“Machine”, the brilliant debut studio disc from outstanding Swedish heavy guitar rockers TRUTH, features 15 tracks (60 minutes) of exceptional, mind-blowing, top-shelf, muscular, bluesy heavy guitar riffage and powerful, melodic vox that is guaranteed to rock your world. Stellar songs with over-the-top, killer, wah-induced lead guitar madness & bad-ass riffage from guitar-god Sven Cirnski and supreme rock vocal power from David Fremberg. The TRUTH: “Machine” disc is what REAL guitar rock is all about.

Sven Cirnski is a bona-fide, serious, bad-ass bluesy heavy guitar ripper who’s vast playing skill on the six-string “machine” rivals the best players out there. He is a true stratmaster and one of the best rock guitarists in Sweden & in the Guitar World, for that matter. One listen to this amazing disc and you will become a believer. Sven is a powerful force to be reckoned with on the guitar and the TRUTH: “Machine” disc is his finest hour and ultimate guitar statement. “Machine” also features the amazing, soul-powered, melodic vocals of David Fremberg (Andromeda) who’s intense vocal power takes the TRUTH disc to a whole new level of greatness. Fremberg is a true rock vocal god who sings his ass off with complete control and authority on the TRUTH: “Machine” disc. The combination of Cirnski’s guitar and Fremberg’s vocals on the “Machine” disc is rock perfection in the making. The TRUTH: “Machine” disc also features the powerhouse rhythm section of Jens Lundahl on bass and Jaime Salazar on drums who nail down a serious groove throughout each track. Excellently produced and recorded by Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings) who lends his bass skills to several tracks, the TRUTH: “Machine” disc is Sweden’s answer to keeping the Rock alive.

The TRUTH: “Machine” disc is an awesome bluesy heavy guitar ripper that is Highly recommended to fans of ROBIN TROWER, FRANK MARINO, ERIC GALES, LANCE LOPEZ, JOE BONAMASSA, RICHIE KOTZEN, TY TABOR, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JOHN NORUM, THOMAS LARSSON and other amazing bluesy heavy guitar axemasters who play with serious technique and feel. Grooveyard Records definitely lives up to its fine reputation as one of the best guitar labels in the world with the release of this killer heavy guitar disc. If outstanding Total Guitar music is your religion, tune into the amazing TRUTH: “Machine” disc and become a believer.

::TRACKS::

1. Freedom
2. Respect
3. Over And Over
4. Generation Stupid
5. Machine
6. Hold Out
7. Stand In Line
8. Angel
9. Can I Be Forgiven
10. Big Al
11. Self Control
12. Out Of Control
13. High And Low
14. Tormented
15. Heavy Rain

CHECK OUT THE AWESOME MP3 SAMPLES FOR: MACHINE

Machine is the debut album from Sweden rockers The Truth spearheaded by guitarist Sven Cirnski. Judging by the booklet and liner notes the group is primarily Cirnski and vocalist David Fremberg (Andromeda, Mountain of Power) with bassist Jens Lundahl and drummer Jamie Salazar lending a hand. Underneath the CD, on the traycard, is an M.C. Escher-styled illustration of mechanical gears and cylinders leading one to speculate the music to be grinding, industrial and possibly stiff. However, what we get is more Robin Trower in its approach. Cirnski is a mater of the strat pushing and pulling effortless riffs and searing solos. The 15-song songs penned for Machine showcase his ability to shift from the chugging gallop of the title cut “Machine” and “Tormented” to the scatting of “Can I Be Forgiven?” and “Big Al”. Fremberg was the perfect choice on vocals as he finds room in Cirnski’s playing to make his own statement. His phrasing and melody transform “Freedom” and “Hold Out” to classic 70’s hard rock that begs for a Camaro 8-track.
The rhythm section builds Truth with a monster foundation. Understated and in-the-pocket, it is the bedrock for the power rocker “Out of Control” and its sister track “Self Control” - together they are heaviest songs on the disc. The melodic nature of “Respect” conjures up Richie Kotzen-era Mr. Big with “High and Low” and the standout “Heavy Rain” creating a UFO feel, not so much in sound but in song-craft. ”Over and Over” is another thunderous track with a massive catchy riffs and blazing solos. Cirnski’s scratchy guitar makes “Generation Stupid” a throwback to later ‘60s blues rock that embraces a memorable dynamic solo stretch. The mid-tempo “Stand in Line” has its focus on the chorus where melody and structure intertwine. Ballads are the hardest songs for a rock band to do well and in “Angel” the Truth nail it down. Drifting surrealistically like an outtake off Trower’s Bridge of Sighs with the guitar and voice engaged in soulful embrace. Production by bassist Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings) is top notch and takes retro into the 21st Century.
Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (2.08)
www.thecutting-edge.net