Album review: ‘Regeneration Machine’ by ALPHAMEGA
‘Regeneration Machine’ Cover Artwork by Cover art by Adrienne Beacco. Courtesy of ALPHAMEGA
Artist: ALPHAMEGA
Genre: Modern Rock / Metalcore
Label: Ironshore Records
Reviewed Music: ‘Regeneration Machine’ (LP, May 26th, 2023) 13 Tracks (45 min)
“To the Wolves” (3:55)
“Pariah” (3:40)
“To Be Human” (3:24)
“Sound of Your Excuse” (3:01)
“Good to Be Numb” (3:45)
“Eye of Horus” (3:05)
“Annihilator” (3:31)
“The War” (3:32)
“Late To the Party” (3:15)
“A World Afraid of Tomorrow” (3:45)
“Snake in the Grass” (2:54)
“No Longer Broken” (3:19)
“Neon Casket” (4:17)
Review of ‘Regeneration Machine’ (LP, May 26, 2023) by ALPHAMEGA
Woven among thickened riffs, a “never say die” attitude rumbles across listeners’ eardrums presenting a lyrical novel of pain, struggle, and passion. As the music breaks, ascending choruses and driving screams anchor the narrative. The Los Angeles based, modern rock project, ALPHAMEGA, leaves no question of who they set out to be with their debut album, ‘Regeneration Machine’. This project is out for blood.
“To the Wolves”, comes out with more than a bark. Intense guitar hugs you like a freight train, topped with some gritty work from vocalist, Adam Ryan, as the band steamrolls listeners into the contrast of an addictively sung chorus. Recalling a storied era of rock/metal greats, this track has the makings of a mainstream radio hit, packaged sneakily in the form a baseball bat on Christmas morning. Cluing into the lyrics and track titles we find the chorus: “…Throw me to the wolves, watch them tear my flesh from bone..” (Excerpt from “To The Wolves” chorus) which segues into the second track, “Pariah” - aka: outcast - so we can begin to formulate that some form of rejection has occured. Whether this is a metaphorical implication or reference to real life situation, the trio of ALPHAMEGA effortlessly transition to a more relaxed and full toned anthem in this previously released single.
“...Let’s make our actions more than just some words
Open up your heart when somebody hurts
Live your lives in such a way you are the change
You want in this world...”
-Excerpt from “To Be Human” by ALPHAMEGA
For those who have not heard, “To Be Human”, this piece digs into the facade which we wear as we go about our daily lives “going through the motions” and being “always plugged in” but never truly present. Sonically this track is a great follow-through from “Pariah”, showcasing a mellower side of the ALPHAMEGA early on. This solace doesn’t last for long, as the opening of “Sound of Your Excuse” snaps back to a more aggressive resonance. If displeasure and annoyance wasn’t already implicated enough in this title, then the chorus certainly confirms for the audience. ALPHAMEGA have officially cut ties.
“...Don’t want to live my life in mediocrity
I won’t let you in just to bite the hand that feeds
So let the fire rain down
It’s the end of you and me
The end of you and me...”
-Excerpt from “Sound of Your Excuse” by ALPHAMEGA
As we step back to review the the tracklist, “To Be Human”, “Sound of Your Excuse”, and even “Good to Be Numb” cement moments of change where the road splits for ALPHAMEGA on their musical journey. Dare I emphasize that this band is ‘built different’ with a ‘no quit’ attitude? It must be stated that the graphics and presentation of the product is impressive across the handful of released music videos and single artwork. The project branding compliments the sound perfectly, leaving no chance for listener confusion. You’re defintiely not picking up this album at FYE for the cool cover art and receiving a let down!
For readers who recall the peak days of peak MTV, the music video for “Eye of Horus” is the perfect summation of the musical voyage which listeners have experienced throughout the first half of the album. In conversation regarding “Eye of Horus”, vocalist Adam Ryan explains that this song captures the subject matter of not only ALPHAMEGA growth, but also his own evolution since the band’s formation:
“…Its the journey that you take that is driven by your passions, that is driven by your dreams, and the things you care about. Its the culmination of …all the things that have happened where I look back at my life, at my mortality, all that kind of stuff and think, ‘What’s making me tick here?’. All the times that I’ve quit behind closed doors, all the times that I’m just like "‘screw it - this is too hard!"‘…it is literally music, this project, these guys. Those are the things that I found that brought me back into my love of music again. This song is about what keeps me going…that ‘Eye on the Prize’ focus...”
- Excerpt from Vocalist Adam Ryan on Dear Untitled Radio - EP 009 - ALPHAMEGA
Once more noting the interlaced saga within the tracklist: take another look, as the second half of this album appears to be nothing but aggression from here on out. That switch was flipped and ALPHAMEGA is out for revenge with “Annihilator” and “The War” - both of which carry the catchy sing-along chorus + guitar solo arrangement that we’ve seen before. This reliable format has been utilized successfully by artists for decades. To many, this composition can subjectively feel played out, or forced, however the lyrical depth and variety ALPHAMEGA brings prevents this collection from turning anywhere close to stale. (…and besides, can anyone say no to that face on the Annihilator YT cover?)
For as lighthearted and entertaining as the music video is for “Late to the Party”, ALPHAMEGA continues to lyrically eviscerate over the backing of a simple, yet groovy, guitar line, with lines like “..I can forgive but I will not forget..”, “…I thought you were gone…Now the Nightmare never ends…”, “…There must be no one left for you to infect, Nobody’s looking for someone to regret…”. Moving on and leaving the toxicity in the past - be it a relationship or friendship - is a message that we all can get behind. The broadcast continues with “A World Afraid of Tomorrow” directly addressing condescending behavior which holds future generations back. Bookended by an acoustic presence that crescendos into a beautiful chorus, this song is a plea to reconsider our hurriedly presumptive thoughts and actions we bestow on strangers, so as to avoid “clipping the expressive wings” of someone you don’t know. That said, “Snake in the Grass” echoes the ongoing motif of “shedding skin” of one’s former self, the weight of negativity, fear, or anything else that is holding you back. This embedded theme of breaking ties and forging into the unknown is sure to become a lighthouse in the dark for many listeners on release.
“…I’m letting go
I’m shedding skin
I never want to be this way again
I tell myself I’ll be fine
I’m shedding skin…”
- Excerpt from “Snake In the Grass” by ALPHAMEGA
Since its single debut in 2022, “No Longer Broken” is undeniably ALPHAMEGA’s pinnacle track, not only for for the band, but also for ‘Regeneration Machine’. If you wanted an encouraging, uplifting anthem with solid sonics, and a great punch from the vocals, “No Longer Broken” is the track which everyone can appreciate. Just enough bite for the emotion to take hold, but nestled in the landscape of the entire album, this track acts as a shining culmination of the journey which listeners have been carried through over the preceding 11 songs. For as much of an apex as this track is, ALPHAMEGA barrels onward to demonstrate some of their best work on this album in their final track, “Neon Casket”. Saving the best for last? It certainly sounds that way!
“…Your world might seem like a hopeless place
where its hard to have faith,
but stay strong in your search for the light
because beautiful things come from ugly places…”
- Excerpt from “Neon Casket” by ALPHAMEGA
Aside from the overall encouraging message on this album, another refreshing part of ‘Regeneration Machine’ is the fact that each track feels ‘individually accessible’. Each song as a standalone single feels as good as it does when bundled among the compilation - listener and radio friendly. People should absolutely anticipate the serenade of ALPHAMEGA from the nearest stereos, car radios, and backyard gatherings. For certain listeners there is a belief that ‘mainstream success’ = ‘sellout musicians’, however this album isn’t simply vacant tracks with an obvious hook, but rather, the story ALPHAMEGA tells bleeds through their work, whichever way you dissect it. Emotion and intensity are expressed in a raw, yet accessible format, complimented by an impeccable backdrop of musicianship. ‘Regeneration Machine’ by ALPHAMEGA entices consumers from opening riff to closing melody while fluidly immersing us into their world, their journey, and their heartache. - Nic B
FFO: Beartooth, Bad Wolves, Killswitch Engage, Nickelback, Demon Hunter, Three Days Grace, Black Veil Brides,
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