Swedish Prog Rockers PART OF THIS MACHINE have released their debut EP "Collision", a four-track, 26-minute journey through sounds of the past and the present. Though mainly rooted into modern Progressive Rock language, the band also includes elements from Alternative, Hard Rock and Post-Grunge into its sound.

Opener "Colossus" is the longest song here, at eight and a half minutes. Enigmatic sounds and soft mellotron ambience lulls the listener in. There is a creeping darkness underneath its sound, feeling at times like PORCUPINE TREE-meets-MARILLION. It gets quite playful in its brief instrumental middle section; some synth touches add a sci-fi feel to the song. As the track builds and grows, it soars to the sky.

A bit of Post-Grunge melodrama bleeds into "Falconeer", giving it a heavier flair. A mostly straightforward Alternative Rock track with bits and pieces of synth-led Prog more interested in adding colour to the songwriting rather than being the main focus. A bluesy solo by Magnus Högdahl provides just enough emotional release as Erik Anell vocals do.

"The Sleep" has a nasty bassline, courtesy of Magnus Lind, functioning as its anchor. The track shifts between atmospheric verses and powerful, manic choruses. It certainly evokes LEPROUS a couple of times, especially on the bridge of the song. The track explodes into a joyful, wide-open sound towards the end. Meanwhile, closer "Isolation" opens with a dramatic spoken word section. 70's rock influences become quite clear here, especially on Högdahl's exquisite soloing. A Hard Rock banger with some nice synth textures.

"Collision" is a solid debut EP that shows promise for this young band that still seems to be founding their own sound. Mixing accessibility with complex songwriting works as a charm, with a skillful quintent of players behind. Keep an eye for PART OF THIS MACHINE!