69 Chambers is an Alternative Metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. Since their formation, they have released two albums: "War On The Inside" in 2009 and "Torque" in 2012. After a necessary hiatus, the group has returned with their forthcoming record "Machine," set to be released on May 25th, 2018. A slow, dark, ominous beginning introduces the first track "Deceleration" before a heavy riff sucks you into black waters, swirling with emotion, juxtaposed with vocalist Nina Vetterli-Treml's vocal prowess, soft yet not fragile.

What sticks out the most in "F.Y.L." is drumming fast enough to vibrate your rib-cage. The chorus does seem a little watered-down in comparison to the instrumentation displayed in this track, both in the drumming and a passage of impressive guitar work towards the end. Title track "Machine" is stronger than the first two in its soothing, rhythmic verses, almost poetic in the ebb and flow of their structure, with slow, controlled guitars driving the song home. "Little Bird Of Death" is even better, a calming beginning, somber verses, and a commanding yet subtle chorus.

"Who Am I" reminds me of a song you would use to drown out the noise of your classmates or coworkers, and its repetition of "who am I?" invites you to be self-aware. "Happiness" opens significantly differently than other tracks, with faster dual guitars and bass and drums that really lead the song from beginning to end. Also in this track is the album's best guitar solo, classic and rugged. "Métamorphose" displays some of the album's most pleasingly heavy riff and drum combinations. It's simply one of the most circle-pit-friendly songs of the year. "Loaded Gun" opens thickly and sweetly, Vetterli-Treml's vocals the focal point, and it builds to a chorus you might find on an Alice In Chains record, making it the best track of the bunch for me. "Chemical Poetry" is another strong Metal track, a moody chorus, an emotional instrumental bridge, and crushing riffs.

"Quantum Wave" and "Serpent Of Hypocrisy" close the album with brutal yet thoughtful instrumentation and rich vocal performances. There are times when the album feels a bit homogenous, especially because there is little experimentation in areas like tempo and key changes. There are some hooks that aren't connecting and a similar tone in each track that can start to sound repetitive. However, it's heavy, it's poignant, and it's got all it needs to keep you headbanging.