BLOODJINN

"This Machines Runs on Empty" from Greensboro, North Carolina's BLOODJINN sounds pretty much like I expected a band on Pluto Records to sound: like a better than average metalcore band that shares a few similarities with AS I LAY DYING. It is hard to get too excited about a group that sounds a good deal like a slew of other metalcore bands. However, "This Machine Runs on Empty" is a bit better than a sizeable number of comparable albums, primarily because of better songwriting and a seeming unwillingness to go the generic growl-n-croon route.

More metal than hardcore, "This Machine Runs on Empty" boasts a strong mix that emphasizes a coarse and thick guitar tone and a crisp drum sound. Joel Collins' lead vocals are of the screamy, abrasive variety and fortunately do not come off hoarse or weak. The songs are generally well structured and several are fairly memorable, if hardly instant classics. Overall, the tunes come with lots of chugging, the occasional breakdown, some fiery soloing from lead guitarist Kyle Rakes, and one heck of a lot of up-tempo galloping rhythms. The guitar-led melody lines on songs like "In the First Degree", "Break the Silence", and "Maker" work to strengthen the arrangements. When matched with some of the thrashier material the result is quite powerful. Though the aggressive vocals are heard most, some clean harmonizing and vocal lines are heard on "A Moment of Clarity" and "See Through", but are not overdone and do not detract from the heavy delivery. Speaking of heavy, a handful of tunes approach the kind of heaviness and intensity heard on the last couple of UNEARTH albums; here again the approach is more metal than hardcore.

In the final analysis, "This Machine Runs on Empty" is a decent metalcore effort. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out in this crowded sub-genre, but BLOODJINN shouldn't get lost in the shuffle, based on a convincing attack. In short, this one is solid, if not earth shaking.