Artist: Pastel Jack
Title: Ghost in the Machine
Type: EP
Label: Unsigned

Formed in 2007 in Kingston upon Hull, these aggressive thrashers have a touch of traditional metal in their bones with previous experience in other local bands rubbing off. Clocking in just over the 37 minute mark, these 6 tracks show energy and youthful spirit. ‘Condemned from the Start’ sits comfortably in between Blaze Bailey and Conquest of Steel, with quite a melodic vocal line and chugging guitars releasing well thought out arrangements in the background, a bit of mid period Waters/Mustaine riffing proceeds the solo. To pull off these arrangements fully, I would like to see a little more angst in the singing, but it is still early days for this talented lot. ‘Part 2 (Ghost in the Machine)’ remains my EP highlight, and this is where I feel they come into their own. Some good tom work on the drums overlaying the riffs makes a strong impression on your truly. Did I mention the riffs?! listen to the mid section from about 4.29 minutes in, then the groove, well executed, but I do think one trick is missed, it would have been good to hear the guitars double tracked throughout the solos as this would add more meat to the bone, but still, the mix is clear and to the point, I just feel it lowers the attention span as you get a slight drop off in volume and energy. ‘Rational Lies’ would sit well on a Bruce Dickinson release, wonderful tone and presentation, but please double track the solos, otherwise it kills the momentum!

‘Ghost in the Machine’ is a modern thrash release with a vocal delivery quite different to that of the current crop of thrashers, which tends to make the listener feel more comfortable in a traditional British metal outfit rather than a hybrid thrash explosion that these chaps currently produce. At the end of the day, it is all heavy metal and the metal is good, Pastel Jack are worth checking out and a promising band for future rages.

http://www.myspace.com/pasteljack