MaSu originally rose to fame by covering old game tunes such as The Great Giana Sisters or the Sidology medleys using metal-like approach backtracked by the SidStation. These tracks would then find their way on the MaSu website in the early 2000s for redistribution – a method which proved immensely popular at the time.
Following their internet-based success MaSu released their first album titled Deus Ex Machinae in 2004 via a UK based label MDB Records. In autumn 2006 one of the better known metal labels Finnish Spinefarm took MaSu under their wing.
Redeemer was released in early 2006 – first as a self-release (titled Underground Edition) – and later in 2006 officially by Spinefarm, simply dubbed as "Retail". This review is about the retail version, and it's worth pointing that out as its tracklist is different to that of the Underground Edition's.
Redeemer follows in the Deus Ex Machinae vein but takes things one step further, a natural evolution process that is. The musical genre is still glued to what one could well describe as power metal with SID-like synthesizers. The singer and main songwriter, Robert "GaZ" Stjärnström, still has his easily identifiable, somewhat creaky voice, which one will either love or hate, and the guitar melodies and synthesizers are just as high-blazing as on Deus Ex Machinae. The main changes stem from slightly more serious lyrical themes as opposed to writing tracks (mostly) about video games. In fact, one of the clearest video game reference tracks, Fury, was indeed left out of the retail release which is a huge shame as it's a very good song.
Most tracks are fairly mid-tempo with some faster beats here and there, but one thing they all have in common: memorable choruses. The songs are very easy to get into despite their musical prowess and showmanship of instruments. The album ends with the slow, darkly atmospheric and perhaps a bit sad Reanimator which is also the 3rd installment in the March of the Undead series.
Lyrics mostly deal with individuality and choices in life, often times telling a kind of a story while leaving the exact meaning and background open for listener's interpretation. Some political criticism (Seventeen) is up in the air as well.
Overall Redeemer is a rock solid album, standing on its own from the first seconds on until the end, with only small bows inbetween. To me Redeemer defines what Machinae Supremacy are about, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone with keen interest in (old) games and (new) metal. Once you've been bit by the MaSu bug it's difficult to let go – and why should you, there are other albums like this one waiting for you out there, including the brand new Rise of a Digital Nation, of which a review is coming up within the next weeks!
You can listen to Redemeer and other Machinae Supremacy albums on Spotify.
Through the Looking Glass musicvideo.
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