PSYCLE – KILL THE MACHINE
The North East hard rock scene is killing it. In the last couple of months I featured two dynamic rock bands from Ct. Zero One Zero and Wild America have both released stunning new albums reviewed by AMP. Here comes a third astonishing group that has caught my attention.
Recently I contacted Kate Carroll from the Rock ‘n Rhode Facebook group for a recommendation for a review. She offered several choices but after hearing Psycle‘s new record, Kill the Machine, I was hooked. The album is brilliant.
Psycle is a four piece group from Providence, Rhode Island whose songs are massive. The band’s sound fuses driving rhythms with melodic overtones. Throughout the new disc, Psycle‘s musicianship is highly evident.
Psycle is Seth Salois (Vocals/Guitar), Jason Spynes (Drums), Mike Kaz (Bass/Vocals) and Joe Nicolazzo (Lead Guitar). The band dropped their first E.P., Surfaces, in 2017. Surfaces received major accolades including winning three Stone Chrome Radio awards.
Kill the Machine is Psyche‘s first full length album. All eight song are aggressive and forceful. The songwriting is outstanding. Each tune is a stand alone sonic powerhouse. The band understands completely how to innovate an established genre with modern nuances.
The album opens with “King With No Crown”. The song is just pure audible thunder. Salois’ vocals are impressive. Nicolazzo’s thrashing guitar is poignant and blasting. The back beat of Kaz and Spynes is beautifully raucous. “Kill the Machine” follows. Here is where Psycle hybrids that classic rock sound with pop flavoring. The guitar has a T-Rex feel and again Salois’ voice is impeccable.
The bluesy “The Outsider” is next and Spynes’ percussions are propulsive. The bass is sublimely sleazy. On “Changing Tide”, Psycle slows the tempo and delivers a superb arena anthem. The defiant vocals hit the mark and the harmonies are ideal. I can see the cell phones lighting throughout the venue.
“Vultures At Play” picks up the pace. The spirited song cranks. Kaz’s bass is outstanding. “Dying To Live”‘s guitar solo is glorious. Next up is one of my favorites on the dic. “Last Chance For The Saints” launches a kick ass groove. A definite foot tapper. Kill the Machine closes with the atmospheric “White Flag” with its eerie aura and transcendent rhythm.
Psycle‘s Kill the Machine is a compelling release from a band with an obviously bright future.
The following is an interview that Seth from Psycle was kind enough to give AMP.
AMP: How did the band form?
SETH: The band has been around for years with many different lineups but the solid foundation of this band/lineup started in 2016. Our drummer Jay and myself played together for over 15 years and were coming off playing in a different outfit for a few years. We wanted to get back to basics and writing the kind of music we love. When we put the project together, we knew we needed the right people. Our bass player, Mike Kaz, I had known when we shared the stage for a New Years gig. Not just a great bass player but also great vocals and a monster on stage. I sent Mike a demo of the music we had done years before and he was excited and on board.
The last piece of the puzzle was what I call “The greatest craigslist find of all time”. Joe was the only guitarist I spoke with and we spoke on the phone for a few hours. We both shared a lot of the same love for certain bands and sounds. From there it was really a matter of getting in the same room and playing together. I think we quickly understood that we had something special and wanted to write our own music. The rest is history….
AMP: Every song on your new album, Kill the Machine, is monstrous. How did the band breathe life into them?
SETH: That’s a great question! I think when we recorded our first E.P., Surfaces, we started to develop that certain sound we wanted. It was never forced but I think our understanding of each other and our influences was a big factor. One thing we don’t have is an ego when it comes to writing. The song is the most important thing and should always be the deciding factor. I really believe it was when we wrote the title track “Kill the Machine” that we knew what kind of album we wanted it to be. We wanted a very raw rock and roll album. Not overly produced, not something we couldn’t reproduce live but an album that felt like us playing live. One thing is the fact that we feed off and understand each other parts.
We record all our rehearsals so we can work on stuff during the week. Also it give us the opportunity to possibly capture some things that have the potential to be a little magical. It usually starts with the groove. That foundation is laid out so well by Mike and Jay. Melody is so important. Mike, Jay and Joe make it easy to write lyrics and melodies.
I think we want lightning in a bottle on all our songs which is hard to achieve. We are hyper critical and we want our songs to have everything it needs. We didn’t want to put out a record that had 1 or 2 singles and the rest was filler. The band wanted to put out a record like the ones we grew up with. Back to front filled with great songs. We will always be critical and we have no problem scrapping something or tearing it apart.
AMP: Do you find it difficult to release a new album without tour support?
SETH: We never had the opportunity to tour. This album was written to play it live. This has been such a difficult year for so many people. We hope we get a chance to go on the road soon. People need to hear these songs first hand.
AMP: How do you reach your fans and new listeners?
SETH: Hard work, determination and thinking outside the box. Social media can be the devil if you let it. You have to make it work for you. One has to dive in and find ways to reach people. You have to have good content across the board and you must create a brand. Utilizing your logo, colors, fonts and professional content can draw people in. You have to invest resources. Not only money but time and knowledge.
AMP: What does Psycle bring to the game that distinguishes the band?
SETH: We always try to let anyone who works with us – fans, radio, pr and magazines know that we are thankful for their time and help. We have gotten farther with pleasantries than with anything else. Let people feel like family. Make them feel like they are part of the creative process and let them peek behind the curtain. We try to be honest with our music. Another thing, we try to give the best performances possible and have as much fun as we can. If people see you having fun, they will have fun with you.
AMP: How is the Rhode Island rock scene? Do you feel well received?
SETH: The Rhode Island rock scene is electric. Not so much for the straight rock and roll bands but our metal scene is alive and thriving. We definitely have been accepted and I think it’s because we try to support everyone in our area. There is a big cover and tribute band scene and we try to make sure we make it out to support them as much as we can.
AMP: Who is going to give the acceptance speech when you win your Grammy?
SETH: HAHAHAHA! Oh, The Grammys. I will tell tell you thing….If we ever win a Grammy we are going to bring Lemmy back from the grave just to hear what he would say. Maybe something about Ace of Spades. When in doubt the answer is……Lemmy….Motorhead…Ace of Spades!
AMP would like to thank Seth Salois for his time and energy.
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To learn more about Psycle, check out their website
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