Ghosts in the Machine

Switched | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Corporate Punishment
• ASIN: B000B5KRCU
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,189 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome riffs, monstrous beats, melodic and hardcore vocals, January 28, 2006

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghosts in the Machine (Audio CD)

The Good
Disc 1: The 11 tracks here are the finished demos, and as soon as I heard the killer guitar tone on "Save Myself," I knew I was going to like this album. The driving riffs are straight out of the 90s metal time capsule. Even though it has the most clichéd title in rock history, "Like Suicide" is actually a cool tune. Vocalist Ben Schigel leans heavily on melody rather than his typical growling, but it works just the same. The intensity returns briefly on "Shattered." It's a nice mix of intensity and emotion. The opening riff of "I'm Falling" is sure to get fists pumping and tempers flaring for a rumble in the pit. "Drowning" keeps the energy flowing with pounding drums and manic guitar rhythms. Schigel delivers like Jekyll and Hyde on "Memories of You."

Disc 2: The demos and live tracks are featured here. "Spread" comes off like a mix of Dope, Alice in Chains, and Deadsy all rolled into one. The faded riffs on "Inside" have a classic seventies rock feel to them. Schigel delivers like a darker more sinister Scott Weiland. "Anymore" is another track that's full of piss-and-vinegar, despite its mellow sections. The band's version of Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Silence" is unique to say the least. Whereas the original version is not exactly something you'd admit to liking (although we all know you do), this version is worth of a heavy metal following. I like how the guitar mimics former vocal parts. The second disc rounds out with four impressive live track that were recorded in Miami back in 2001.

The Bad
The booklet does a lousy job of explaining which songs are demos, which are B-sides, and from what time period the song is from. In fact, it doesn't identify any of that.

The Verdict
Awesome riffs, monstrous beats, melodic and hardcore vocals...what more could hard rock fans ask for? I was instantly hooked by this CD, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way. It's a shame that the band is, for the most part, no more.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ok guys..., June 25, 2006

By 

Matthew J. Chalupsky - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghosts in the Machine (Audio CD)

Some people attack this band because they're "nu-metal." Meh, they are I guess, but they still have awesome songs. No, it's nothing new, amazingly inspirational, or so hard that you can't imagine how they do it, but they're still good and fun songs. They're songs that you can bang or at least nod your head to. This CD is not as heavy as their debut, but it's still top notch. Stop whining about the genre and actually listen to the CD. These guys are amazing (especially Brad Kochmit), anything but sub-par.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Switched have out did themselves, January 13, 2006

By 

Davis "DK" (Macomb, Mi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghosts in the Machine (Audio CD)

When I first bought their debut album "Subject to Change" i was kind of let down. Not with this one. Ghosts in the Machine is a fantastic cd and even better the 2nd cd is too. It goes to show you how much progress and change the band has made since their first album. I recommend everybody pick up "Ghosts in the Machine".