 SWITCHED
Ghosts in the Machine
Corporate Punishment Records 2006
www.switched.tv
Read the Ben Schigel interview
What’s the 4-1-1?
Switched jumped in the music scene with the release of their
2002 Immortal/Virgin Records release Subject to Change. Despite selling
100,000 albums, the group left the label due to internal business
problems. Before leaving the label, Switched worked on demos for
their sophomore release, but never released any of them. Ghosts
in the Machine is a two disc collection that features the final product
of those demos, more unreleased demos, B-sides, and rarities from
the group spanning 2000 to 2004.
Genre
Hard rock / metal / industrial / hardcore
The Good
Disc 1: The 11 tracks here are the finished demos, and as soon as I heard the
killer guitar tone on “Save Myself,” I knew I was going to like
this album. The driving riffs are straight out of the 90s metal time capsule.
Even though it has the most clichéd title in rock history, “Like
Suicide” is actually a cool tune. Vocalist Ben Schigel leans heavily
on melody rather than his typical growling, but it works just the same. The
intensity returns briefly on “Shattered.” It’s a nice mix
of intensity and emotion. The opening riff of “I’m Falling” is
sure to get fists pumping and tempers flaring for a rumble in the pit. “Drowning” keeps
the energy flowing with pounding drums and manic guitar rhythms. Schigel delivers
like Jekyll and Hyde on “Memories of You.”
Disc 2: The demos and live tracks are featured here. “Spread” comes
off like a mix of Dope, Alice in Chains, and Deadsy all rolled into one.
The faded riffs on “Inside” have a classic seventies rock feel
to them. Schigel delivers like a darker more sinister Scott Weiland. “Anymore” is
another track that’s full of piss-and-vinegar, despite its mellow sections.
The band’s version of Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With
Silence” is unique to say the least. Whereas the original version is
not exactly something you’d admit to liking (although we all know you
do), this version is worth of a heavy metal following. I like how the guitar
mimics former vocal parts. The second disc rounds out with four impressive
live track that were recorded in Miami back in 2001.
The Bad
The booklet does a lousy job of explaining which songs are demos, which are B-sides,
and from what time period the song is from. In fact, it doesn’t identify
any of that.
The Verdict
Awesome riffs, monstrous beats, melodic and hardcore vocals…what more
could hard rock fans ask for? I was instantly hooked by this CD, and I’m
sure you’ll feel the same way. It’s a shame that the band is,
for the most part, no more.
Did You Know?
Former Switched bassist Corey Lowery went on to form Dark New Day with his brother
Clint Lowery (ex-Sevendust).
Rating:  out
of 5
--George Dionne
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