Band:	Thought Machine
Album:	Thought Machine
Style:	Industrial metal
Release date:	May 2012

01. Inspiration
02. Come To The Point
03. F-Switch
04. The Autumn Lives Here
05. Death Of The Sun
06. Artificial Imagination
07. Cyber Screen
08. Come To Me
09. Warning
10. Captured
11. Thought Machine
12. The Hole Of Schizophrenia

This is potentially the most addictive album I've heard this year. A dark, creepy, future world awaits, with stories told through the sounds and grooves of cyber, electronic, and industrial metal.

Italy's Thought Machine gives us a debut that is complex, professional, and highly enjoyable, probably owing to the fact that all musicians have played in several bands before this one and took plenty of time to hone their craft. The drums of Francesco La Rosa and the synthesizers of Elisa Montaldo really drive this album where rhythm is king and the electronics create a vivid, angular atmosphere. Yet, it's the melodies that make these rhythms get under your skin in such an inescapable way. The melodies are so infectious they will cling to your face like Alien.

Most of the songs are energetic and driving while being quite interesting and, of course, instantly memorable. A few slower tracks break up the assault, the first being "The Autumn Lives Here" which is probably the creepiest and intriguing of all. It doesn't stay slow for long, and the tempo picks up again for the chorus, but the repeated A-section has a sensual, almost sinister vibe to it. Another surprise is the soaring ballad "Come To Me" which lets the band groove on their much softer side. And if you weren't already convinced of Simona Pala's vocal talent and, above all, her versatility, this track will seal the deal.

Can we just talk about her for a moment? She sings, screams, yells, and does everything in between. Her medium/low-ranged voice is so strong and the timbre is perfect to lead this electronic metal assault. Training and experience are so evident and she's such an asset to Thought Machine's very visual musical landscape.

The overall presentation of this debut is really well thought out and the cover art is appropriate to the themes of the music and lyrics. The booklet adds even more, showcasing lyrics and creepy photos of band members on pages richly decorated in a grainy, muted color scheme. These mini band photos are stylized, theatrical shots, and add a bit of dark fun.

(Special treat for my fellow Whovians: see if you can find which track begins with a subtle sound of the TARDIS.)

Hear the album on Thought Machine's Official Youtube Channel, then purchase it either on iTunes or directly from the band.