Shihad - Beautiful Machine (Album)

Shihad rock! But we all already knew that anyway.

2008 marks 20 years of Shihad, and what a better way to commemorate such an occasion than with album number seven, Beautiful Machine.

Where some bands have faded away, the fact that four New Zealand guys who met as teenagers have continued to stick to their guns without compromise should be commended.

This time around, the lads are a little less angry after dealing with their pent-up frustrations with the hard rocking affair Love is the New Hate. Creatively, it does seem as if the band was at the crossroads as to which way to turn and now they have taken a different path with fantastic results.

There is an obvious pop bent to this album, with Shihad flirting with their curiosity of electronic beats and synthesizers. Still, like any other Shihad album, Beautiful Machine is full of energy and passion and will be remembered for some sensational melodies.

Opening track One Will Hear the Other kicks off in fine style, but for me Rule the World is one of the best, with plenty of classic rock riffs and charm. Hard to Please is lyrically deep, but it is the rhythm section that reminds you who you’re listening to.

It is the keyboard driven title track that sums up this release nicely, showing a very different Shihad and proving that their songs don’t need to be heavy to be good (like their enchanting Brightest Star from Pacifier).

There are plenty of great moments to experience with Chameleon, Eliza, Vampires and the Prophet rating highly on my list.

For those who are true fans, make sure you get the limited edition release that has a 9 track bonus disc on it.

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