Trigger are fairly newcomers onto the Australian metal scene. But based on the strength of their live performances and this EP, I guess they will be on the must-see list of the metal going public.
Machina opens with a beautifully choreographed orchestral piece and clean guitar being played over the top, leading into a thrash-influenced riff with a solid drum beat keeping the rhythm and timing.
This EP isn’t a thrash album, though. There are elements of that genre firmly entrenched within the tracks but it’s more of a heavy rock/metal sound EP. Trigger have recorded an EP with great thought taken into the songwriting process; it’s very melodic with great hooks throughout all of the 5 songs. I would like to hear more of the bass guitar standing pit in the final mix. Although in the song Ascension bassist Matt Lentile does get a little groovy bass solo highlighting himself.
Trigger plays around with the timing of the songs which I like a lot; this really is showing in the track My Darkness. I would have to say that this is my favourite song on the EP so far… the vocals from Tim Leopold have a Bullet for my Valentine British style coming through (only my opinion though). They are combined with harmonies and background vocal which adds a cool dimension and colour to the overall song…
actually, this also goes for the whole EP.
Lyrically Trigger have written some catchy songs that show the thought that has been put into the whole EP. I really like the final verse to Ascension but you’ll need to buy the EP to see/read what I’m talking about! 😉
The twin-guitar attack of Sean Solley and Luke Ashley is a solid feature. The harmonies, riffs and hooks they have produced is a testament of the hard work they have gone into producing this EP. The drumming from Tim Joyce is the backbone to Machina – with drum rolls and double kick pounding out the powerful anthems.
The overall package is very slick. I love the cover art of Machina, a very Geiger-Esque picture featuring machinery with hoses connected to sprockets and a skull with machined wheels protruding through. I think I found inspiration for my next tattoo…
The only 2 things stopping this EP from getting a perfect 5 out of 5 roos are the lack of bass in some of the tracks; it is there and I can hear it, don’t get me wrong, but I would like it to be brought forward a touch more. The other thing is that the vocals sound like the above-mentioned Bullet for my Valentine British kinda sound.
This is an Australian metal band… but if people heard the EP without knowing the origin of the band, I think the listen could be mistaken it for an international release. I love my Aussie metal, this is a fantastic product and I want everyone to know Trigger are ours, from the land down under.
Trigger: Facebook
Release Year: 2014
Label: self-released
Category: EP
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Adrian ‘Dren’ Barham
