Description
Machine Fish is the third full-length album by the American progressive metal band Galactic Cowboys, released on Metal Blade Records in January 1996, distributed by Red Distribution. The album was recorded and mixed by Ryan Birsinger at Rivendell Recorders in Houston, Texas; with band member Alan Doss producing. Trivia: The artwork depicts a “machine fish,” which is actually a garbage sculpture made by bassist Monty Colvin, complete with turning indicator light bulbs for eyes.
If a switch in both record label (from Geffen to Metal Blade) and lead guitarist (from Dane Sonnier to Wally Farkas) isn’t radical enough for you, ‘Machine Fish’ also reveals a healthy change in both lyrical and musical direction… yes, the Cowboys seem to have boldly gone where they have never been before! But, fear not, this album still boasts the same level of lyrical wit and vocal harmonisation as demonstrated on previous outings. On ‘Machine Fish’ the Cowboys brave the horns of such topics as «The Struggle» we face between our flesh and spirit in our daily walk with Christ (“Chains made of flesh/ Shackles made of death/ Peace to my right/ Spirit of life”); the need to test all things in the light of false teachings, ideologies and prophecies as in «Idle Minds» (“Idle minds wait for signs out of line/ You can keep your solutions, propaganda, justice, paranoia”); «The Lens» (“This blackened heart wears virgin white/ Oppression lit by candle light”) and «The 9th Of July» (“The words of man/ Will lead astray/ False prophecies/ But no man knows the day”); and faith «In A Lonely Room» (“Livin’ in the darkness/ I have a shadow/ I feel a spirit/ I feel the ghost/ Never letting me go…”), to name but a few. In my opinion, ‘Machine Fish’ is by far the Galactic Cowboys’ best work… but don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself. [Alex Figgis, Cross Rhythms, December 1996]
Brutal Planet Promo, 2022
The 1996 double masterpiece from the Galactic Cowboys features 2-LPs containing all of both Machine Fish & Feel the Rage EP in one package. Everything has been remastered to perfection by Rob Colwell of Bomwborks Sound and features deluxe Gatefold Packaging that collector’s love (with lyrics!). Gone is much the the silliness that defined the first two albums. With the zaniness dialed down we are treated to some scorching rock with melodic multi-layered vocals. With the humor much more mild we can hear the ripping music more clearly. Highlights include: “Fear Not”; “Stress”; “Red Sun”; “Idle Minds”; “9th of June”; and “Arrow.” This is a grown up heavy metal album that will melt your face into jellyjam! Melodic? Yes! George Foreman sized hooks? You bet! Top-notch lyrics? Absolutely! Machine Fish is where the band pooled all their artistic potential and laid it into one single brilliant album. In fact, they had more in their back pockets than one single album. The same year as Machine Fish they also released the Feel the Rage EP. That EP is a continuation of Machine Fish – sort of a Part Two! So both albums are included in their entirety for this 2022 Atomic Blue Double Vinyl release. It is remastered and comes with a deluxe gatefold designed for the most diligent of collectors! It features a 2022 remaster for vinyl by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound. Two amazing albums in one single package of two LPs – limited to just 300 units – get this classic while you can!
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/machine-fish/56822954)
CD tracklist:
01. Feel The Rage – 3:12
02. The Struggle – 5:54
03. Fear Not – 5:03
04. Stress – 4:35
05. Psychotic Companion – 7:32
06. In This Life – 3:13
07. Easy To Love – 4:08
08. Red Sun – 4:59
09. Idle Minds – 4:11
10. The Lens – 5:24
11. Pattin’ Yourself On The Back – 3:45
12. In A Lonely Room – 4:45
13. 9th Of June – 5:23
14. Arrow – 6:57
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Metal Blade Records. The Japanese version of this album contained the bonus song “It’s Raining (Again)”.
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