It feels like just the other day when I first saw Man as Machine at Oppikoppi Odyssey, when I was blown away by their tight performance and sensational songwriting. More than a decade later and eleven years since we’ve received a full album release from these rock ‘n roll legends, it pleases me; nay, it pleasures me to announce that we’ve got some new material to savour and swing to!
The last time we heard from this collective was pre-lockdown, with many challenges and changes happening since. Their latest track was their single 4BDs, released in March 2020, but with the promotional tour and follow-up EP being cut short by the pandemic, things took an unexpected pause. In 2021 founding member Norden Hartman left the collective for personal reasons and founder Xavier Knox emigrated soon thereafter. With only two of the original lineup left, new members were needed and after some searching and shifting, a new lineup finally settled in 2025.
With Misty Sutherland-Dadds on guitar and Roushan Lume on bass, joining KJ Forde on drums and Rob Visser on vox and guitar, the band was whole once again. Rob was having a conversation with KJ one day and was expressing how they need new songs, that they need new music, but that it feels like “I’ve got nothing to say”. KJ responded with “then write about that”.
So, on March 27 we were treated to The Right Words – an explosive and high energy track that has no time to waste warming us up. It hits hot, it hits hard, and it feels so good! Unapologetic in its delivery and straight to the point; this is real and raw “wearing my heart on my sleeve” kind of stuff. Front man phenomenal, Rob Visser does a stellar job with soaring vocals and sensational guitar work between him and Misty. The rhythm section is tight – rock solid drumming and the bass is buttery and beautiful.
With some shows coming up during the next couple of months, I’ll certainly be keeping my ears open for any news concerning a new album and hoping that we won’t have to wait too much longer.
Dwell in Darkness. Live in Light.
-Lunis Voidbright
Stream → https://open.spotify.com/album/6qmoBD3upg3iUvNkysr2fB
Purchase/Info/Connect → https://linktr.ee/manasmachine