Skipping the demo phase and leaping right into the deep end with their first full album release, "Broadcast Your Identity" was released to globally positive reviews. The lead to SELFMACHINE already having joined a European tour with headliners THE AGONIST. A pretty big acheivement for a band that, if you want to argue the point, have only released one album whoch was also their first demo. They say variety is the spice of life and SELFMACHINE seem to have taken this to heart; a lot of Metalcore is represented here but some Groove and Rock tracks worm their way in, and they seem to have a talent for catchy "ear-wig" hooks that get lodged in your brain only to catch yourself humming it hours later.

"Against the Flow" is a nice introduction to the album, and for someone like me who is totally new to SELFMACHINE, this is always great planning and writing; with Melodic Metalcore and Modern Rock vocals flowing through smooth tempo changes, we get a nice taste of the meltong pot that is SELFMACHINE. The first song on an album is like your first impression, so you want to represent your music as accurately and strongly as you can. "Giddy-Up!" is one of those tracks with an infectious hook, kicking off with a fierce opening that mellows into a Modern Rock feel. This ratchets up to some Metalcore at a few points but settles back into Rock for a silky-smooth vocals and a strong finish.

Likewise, "Normal People" is an emotional indictment of modern technology stripping away the humanity in all of us, with a catchy bassline and another good hook that really summarizes the concept behind the lyrics. The finale track,"Luminous Beings" is a nice power ballad and while the vocals aren't top-tier they are still excellent and pull off the ballad well. I loved that the tracks seem organized in groups; similar tracks follow one another and it creates this rise and fall that suits the genre mashup fairly well in my opinion.

None of the tracks are so long that they get exhausting or annoying, they last just long enough that you enjoy the unique sound that each one has to offer before things wrap up. I always get sucked in when a band really feels like they are enjoying themselves and want to draw others in by putting on a great show; I can really see how SELFMACHINE has already done some touring because songs like "Giddy-Up!" are so good as a studio recording that I know a love-performance would have to be that much better. I highly recommend "Societal Arcade" for fans of Metal and Modern Rock.