ALBUM REVIEW: Mercy Machine – Maggot Heart
Linnéa Olsson is not new to the world of rock and roll. She’s worked alongside notable names and in the process made her mark with a punk attitude that is hard to ignore. Now the Swedish guitarist and songwriter is back to put a dent in the music scene with her band MAGGOT HEART. Mercy Machine is the band’s sophomore album, which is released via Linnéa‘s new record label, Rapid Eye Records.
As the first song second clatters in, there’s the immediate aforementioned punk attitude that is at the forefront of anything else. Although it isn’t the strongest of openings to the album considering what else it delivers, it proves the point that this album is not just a mess around. Sex Breath comes in right after and has more a viscous kick to it, and it is here where the sound drags you in and entices you to keep going. Despite being an entirely new song, Sex Breath almost feels nostalgic with how the essence of the 70s/80s vibe has wrapped itself round every word Linnéa spits.
This vibe continues down the album, especially when hitting songs such as Gutter Feeling, title-track Mercy Machine and Senseless. Although Senseless seems to feel a little more relaxed with how the music is fused together, it still feels just as raw and punching, and in some ways it feels more dangerous. Perhaps it is how the sound is tinged with influences from other parts of the rock and metal spectrum. Up until now MAGGOT HEART have offered a very punk and grunge dirty sound, but Senseless oozes with a little touch of industrial and psychedelic in one go. On paper that shouldn’t work, but how they have managed to put it across in a physical form sounds like it has always meant to be.
It should be mentioned that whilst MAGGOT HEART and Linnéa have their own unique sound, the influences that have had a profound impact on them as musicians creeps in constantly. This in itself shows that what they have put into the album is authentic and not forced in any way. The influences aren’t through entirely through sound either, it is how each moment creates a whirl of anarchy and chaos. To be able to make a sound that is individual to oneself and then have the punch of artists from generations who fought hard such as THE CLASH, THE SEX PISTOLS, PATTI SMITH etc. is a very incredible thing to have. A lot of people make the comment that certain eras had better music than the present because of styles with this attitude, but this band are proving them wrong.
When you feel the pure venom that is spat out with every note, it is easy to recognise that great quality doesn’t come from classic bands, it comes from unrelenting passion. Modern bands can still pack the punch that people claim only older generational bands can and MAGGOT HEART are proof of that.
The album in itself may not be styled to everyone’s tastes, but that’s the whole point. They’re not set out to please everyone and everything, it’s about creating something that speaks what they’re about. To be able to put that amount of attitude and passion into an album and have it come out sounding like it was made to stand against some of the great names is a triumph in itself. Mercy Machine is an album of pure anarchy.
Rating: 7/10
Mercy Machine is out now via Rapid Eye Records.
