By: Anders

Posted: Nov 18, 2005

This is the debut album from this Finnish band consisting of mainman/guitarist/vocalist Pete Ahonen, who also are known from Burning Point. Bassist Tapsa Pelkonen and drummer/keyboarder Jussi Ontero rounds off the band, both from the band Wildcard. The trio is delivering melodic heavy/power metal with a neo-classical touch, a style where most have been made, and many new releases end up rather boring.

The music is well written, though very classical within the genre and what to expect. There aren't much new-thinking involved, even though the band once in a while incorporates some good and dark, almost mysterious atmospheres into to some of the songs. The musicianship is good, they all know how to use and make their instruments sound good, no doubt about that. There are especially a lot of good guitar playing, good leads and solos, really showing off what Pete Ahonen is made of, he is quite a killer guitarist. The keyboards are good sounding as well, they are all over the place, and do mostly sound good, even though it once in a while becomes to cheesy and reminiscent of what we have heard before. The vocals are okay to boring, it takes a while to get into them, they are very raw and Ahonen has a problem to get as melodious as the music demands, a more melodic and powerful vocal would have fitted the music somewhat better.

If you're into neo-classical heavy/power metal, this album will for sure speak to you, it shows a band on their way up and I'm sure Ghost Machinery will become really good within a couple of albums. For now their music gets a bit too boring to last, there are too many things heard before and not enough progression involved to keep it interesting. It is technical and the song writing is good, though much of it built upon the secure deals, instead of straying off the path. And a more melodic and powerful vocal performance wouldn’t have hurt as well, even though it grows with each listen and has something somewhat charming over it. As well a better and more powerful production with a clearer mix. But a good start showing talent and craft, so watch out for the band name, you'll hear more of it in the future and it is a really good album if you enjoy some great guitar play.

Rating: 7/10

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