Machinae Supremacy is a metal band from Luleå, Sweden. Their musical style is based on the use of the Sidstation synthesizer, which incorporates the SID (Sound Interface Device) of the Commodore 64 home computer. The band claims that they are the leading name in "SID-metal" scene.

Lets take a break here... Does SID-metal really exists? And if MS are the pioniers what about Labyrinth's first album or bands like Horse The Band? The retro-electronic sound is blended with a metal sound to produce a special kind of "SID-metal" (SID-metal? FFS!!!). Overworld is their third attempt to conquer the metal scene with their synthesizers.

In truth, Machinae Supremacy is a power metal band that uses a lot of synths and electronic elements. Musically these guys are pretty good, they have a lot of catchy riffs with some great solos. In general, most songs are pretty solid. Moreover Robert Stjärnström’s vocals and performance is very good, outstanding at times, and fits the band very well. Need For Steve, Truth of Tomorrow and Skin are songs that you will listen again and again.

However this is not the whole case. Machinae Supremacy adds a lot of pop elements in their songs. They try hard to shine among the rest of the bands, and they succeed it… in the wrong way. The video game-like synths are becoming annoying after a while. I can’t stop laughing when I hear the Super-Mario-extra-life-sounds in Gimme More (SID) and Stand or the techno sounds in Sid Icarus. Actually, it feels like I hear a Japanese video game soundtrack like Final Fantasy VII. Their songs could stand without all these stupid sounds and unfortunately, their unique style is the reason that Overworld can’t make it to the top albums.


Rating: 67/100



The Band

• Robert Stjärnström - vocals/guitars
• Jonas Rörling - guitars
• Johan Hedlund - bass
• Andreas Gerden - keyboards
• Tomas Nilsén - drums

Track Listing

1. Overworld
2. Need for Steve
3. Edge and Pearl
4. Radio Future
5. Skin
6. Truth of Tomorrow
7. Dark City
8. Conveyer
9. Gimme More (SID)
10. Violator
11. Sid Icarus
12. Stand