This is the self titled debut from COMMAND THE MACHYNE, from Germany and formed in 2017 by singer Florian Reimann, after 15 years away from the scene, not that you would notice. Quite literally launching into the opening track "Burn 'em" with such pace, energy and precision you cannot help but sit up and take notice, no sorry, you cannot help but bang your heard.

The pace continues on "Sarah's Heart", the first single, and one of the true stand-out tracks on the album.  Take time to listen to the lyrics.  The song is about a young woman's heart transplant.  There is even a message in among the pounding drums and fantastically catchy guitar solos, about needing more organ donors.  The point made all too clear by Florian's menacing vocals. A deep message in a catchy pacey song.

"Emerge" keeps the pace and pressure on as does "Drenched In Pain", another supersonic, yet hooky as all heck song.  The twin guitars and masterful vocals, all underpinned by the super one-man rhythm section of Vince Icopro. From song 5, things change pace a little.  "Prisoners Of Time", the break goes on a bit, and Florian shows us his vocal range from gruff growling to soaring high notes.  The pace might be slower, but the power is maintained, and the song really showcases the prowess of the two guitarists, Sasch Machyne and Reaper Ulrich.

"Stones" is an interesting song, the pace and almost melancholy give this a really different feel, without sounding jarring, the elements are all CTM's, but done differently, creating a memorable tune, with a MAIDEN vibe about it's them twin guitars again. Another change of pace with "Reaper", a real shredder, all about the pounding repetitive beat, in between intricate guitar solos, and bang its gone!

"Kingdoms Prayer," packed with bombast and melodrama, this song is all about the voice(s).  The piece borders on being too too much, but manages to just keep it reigned in. "River Of Life", is a welcome return to the faster stuff.  Delivered in the true Teutonic Power Metal style, including the quirky bridge.  A proper fist pumping Metal song. And then off we go in a different direction again.  "The King" gives us groove, the riff is almost a bluesy chugger, until we hit the solos and the rousing chorus.

Closing track, gives us something totally different.  It isn't a ballad, it is an acoustic, almost folk-like ethereal, tune, with a Meadville vibe. Strong vocals over a subtle guitar lament. Superb. A superb collection of songs. Production is excellent, everything is layered and nothing sounds out of place.  Lets hope that there isn't another 15 years before the next album, although it would be worth the wait.