Opener "Dream Machine" (whose eerie intro dialog was coincidentally used on a Neurosis album that same year) and the mesmerizing "The Desert Song" are especially memorable, but the band stretches their wings even further on extended pieces like "Purity" and "Seven." Though quite impres sive, these explorations cover so much terrain that the listener's attention can be severely tested - especially by the bland songs contained in the album's Oreo-like creamy center, among which only the interestingly sparse "It's All Over" leaves a lasting impression. Bu t the God Machine was even more experimental, using hypnotic riffs, trance-like drones, ethereal vocals, and a bevy of unconventional instruments to achieve a highly cinematic effect throughout their work. A sprawling, stylistically diverse effort, the album's alternative metal often drew comparisons to Jane's Addiction because of singer Robin Proper-Shepard's vocal resemblance to Perry Farrell. There, the trio signed with independent Fiction Records and released their critically acclaimed debut Scenes From the Second Storey in 1993. He also began recording a year later as Sophia.Ī band with a truly strange trajectory, the God Machine was founded in San Diego, paid their dues in New York, but only managed to kick-start their career after moving on to London, England. Propper-Sheppard set up the Flower Shop label, putting out records from the likes of El evate, Ligament, and Swervedriver. The sessions for the fine second album, One Last Laugh in a Place of Dying, saw release in 1995. Saddened and devastated, Proper-Sheppard and Austin opted to call it a day. A year later, GM had completed recording and mixing a follow-up LP when Fernandez fell victim to a brain tumor. A monstrous double record, its (un)holy racket and scope serve the band's name perfectly.
The full length Scenes From the Second Storey appeared in 1993, featuring remakes of four tracks off the ea rlier EPs. After a debut EP for Eve, the band signed to Fiction and released two more EPs in 1992.
Somewhere along the line, they changed their name to God Machine and played their first official gig in early 1991. Through numerous turns of events, the trio ended up in London. Amman was the only member to stay behind. The remaining members continued to play together and thought of replacing the singer/guitarist, but Proper-Sheppard returned months later to see if his ex-bandmates would be willing to join him back in New York. Despite the musical progress, Proper-Sheppard became increasingly restless in San Diego and opted to move to New York.
They recorded a six-song demo and began playing locally, developing their rough sound into a bracing mix of metallics and atmospherics. Comments appreciated.Īfter graduating high school in San Diego, Robin Proper-Sheppard, Jimmy Fernandez, Ron Austin, and Albert Amman formed Society Line.
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