The August Engine

Hammers of Misfortune | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 31, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CRUZ DEL SUR
• ASIN: B0000DBDLR
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,171 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This is a killer digi pack version of HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE second MASTERPIECE! If you live in another planet or galaxy and never heard of what H.O.M. are about then you should learn that they are the side project of Mike Scalzi of SLOUGH FEG and they sou

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Metal, April 11, 2006

By 

J. W. Carter (Juneau, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The August Engine (Audio CD)

When I first listened to this album two years ago, I wasn't sure what to make of it. Somewhat odd song structures, droning vocals (male and female), and softer acoustic passages all combine to make an almost disorienting first listen.

I'm really glad I decided to keep it, because turned out to be one of my favorite albums of all time. I'd compare them to Iron Maiden and Metallica because you can hear subtle influences from both bands, but it's really a very unique outfit. Here's the breakdown by track:

1. "The August Engine Part. 1" - this is an instrumental passage, a very POWERFUL instrumental passage. Crunchy power chords, solid rhythm, and melodic lead guitars create a haunting sound you'll hear throughout the album. Great way to start an album, and it ends with a dueling electric and acoustic guitar leading into track two.

2. "Rainfall" - This is an acoustic song, so you'd think it would be calming and relaxing. But everything's just a bit... Off. And in a good way. The female vocals are eerily off tune, as is the beginning piano phrase. The lyrics are disquietingly innocent, and the acoustic guitar sounds like (you guessed it) rain all through the song.

3. "A Room and a Riddle" - Just as the acoustic song ends, BAM, you're smacked with a sudden barrage of guitars. Not thrashy guitars, mind you, but melodic ones. There's even a guitar solo hidden in here somewhere. The lyrics, combined with some innovative instrumental techniques create a rather sinister atmosphere here.

4. "The August Engine Part 2" - These guys could probably be labeled progressive metal because of their unique sound, and this 9 minute long song would fit right in. It starts off pretty slow and uninspired, with lyrics that almost sound angsty, and an instrumental line that flows almost totally with the vocals, but after a few minutes the woman comes in and the song almost seems upbeat before it breaks into an instrumental passage, bringing back the sinister and haunting sound, but also adding some despair, ending on a rather angry note.

5. "Insect" - This one starts out with the lovely acoustic guitars this band uses to such great effect, but then it turns electric and both vocalists come in at the same time and their voices sound disquieting on top of each other. This one is more urgent, but they sacrifice none of their eery atmosphere.

6. "The Doomed Parade" - A dark acoustic passage marks the beginning of this one, but it quickly switches gears into a haunting guitar montage where the atmosphere is so complete it's almost as if you're there. This is probably my favorite track on the album.

7. "The Trial And The Grave" - At eleven minutes long you're probably thinking this song goes on forever. And you'd be right. The woman's vocals are eerily off tune throughout this thing, but it doesn't work as well as it did earlier in the album. Partly because the instrumental backup is a plodding guitar and bass combination that makes the song seem to drag on even longer than it really does. This album has one flaw, and this track is it.

This is a VERY good album, and I'm glad I had the fortune of stumbling upon it when I did. If you like progressive metal, gothic metal, black metal, or even straight up heavy metal you'll probably like this album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but Somber, October 10, 2008

By 

Music Fan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The August Engine (Audio CD)

If you like said songs this it. Reminds me of a less thrash and more folk version of Nevermore. I like it personally and its much worthy of trying out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, August 6, 2011

By 

Forrest Phelps - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: August Engine (Audio CD)

If you like Thin Lizzy and early Iron Maiden, Judas Priest AND progressive rock like King Crimson, Yes, etc., I think you'll like this album. It is my favorite album of the 21st-century, so far.