Review: Circle Of Dust – Machines of Our Disgrace
Definitive Edition Vinyl (2025)
The year 2016 was monumental for Klayton, but especially for the fans of Circle Of Dust. Having regained the rights to his early COD music, Klayton fervently began remastering the material for all media formats, focusing also on supplying tons of bonus material on the digital/CD versions. Additionally, and appropriate to the occasion, the new COD album, Machines of Our Disgrace, was released on digital platforms.
However, as was the case with the debut (2019) and Brainchild (2023) vinyl releases, we are now being introduced to the first vinyl pressing of Machines of Our Disgrace some 9 years after its initial release. Well worth the wait, this rendition has been mastered for vinyl this year and includes two never previously released songs. “Invisible World” and “Digital Messiah” along with “Dust to Dust” (2017) and “Drum Machines of Our Disgrace” (2018) constitute “bonus” Side D.
alt_Perspective
My previous thoughts (2016) on this “comeback/reunion” release are logged HERE. However, this vinyl version has “gifted” to me a fresh perspective on Machines of Our Disgrace. My initial impression was the music was an amalgamation of older COD, Disengage era COD and Celldweller where the heaviness factor wasn’t as consistently present and the soundbites in excess. While all that stands to reason, listening to these songs on vinyl media – the new songs on board – has somewhat “altered” my initial perspective … in a positive direction.
Additionally, considering Klayton’s view on the music and lyrics offers a fresh way to experience Machines of Our Disgrace. The subject matter alone is more relevant nine years post release, and the sound quality more robust on vinyl. Moreover, having the two new Joel Wanasek mixed and mastered tracks (2025) adds luster and contemporary edge. [Read Klayton interview HERE]
The white vinyl discs are housed in a thick gatefold jacket (credits and art) with printed inner sleeves (lyrics). (see above and below)
Songs of Our Disgrace
Side A – Return of Dust
Where Klayton “disengaged” from COD in 1998, the instrumental “re_Engage” marks the return of COD (circa 2016). Immediately apparent is the markedly augmented bass in the mix. This becomes even more apparent on the scathing title track. The drum rhythms pulse with power, imparting a metal intensity and credibility missing from the digital counterpart. While one interpretation of these lyrics is transhumanism (just reference the album cover) the more relevant interpretation is the “machines” here represent social media.
Subsequently, this metal intensity becomes even more apparent on the album’s most iconic single, “Contagion.” While the digital version is intense, the vinyl rendering possesses a powerful “live” vibe. The balance in the mix between those hypnotic guitar riffs, the prophetic vocals and the bass and kick drum punch is sublime.
“Embracing Entropy” is another massive slab of energy which translates on vinyl as the perfect Celldweller meets COD melodic electronic rock hit of the year. Again, the vinyl renderings allow these songs to expand their aural impact – that bass punch and wide frequency range more in tune with the human ear’s perception, which is quite evident on this track.
Side B – Cautionary Foreshadowing Dust
Contrastingly, “Humanarchy” shreds with industrial metal strength, perhaps the heaviest track of the bunch. Even this “loud” track benefits from the vinyl format. The drums and bass once again balance out the treble-y inclinations inherent to the genre.
The transitional “Signal,” an instrumental, narrative-type track, signals a transition to the more diverse collection of songs which follow. While not the case in 2016, “alt_Human” has since become one of my favorite tracks on Machines of Our Disgrace. Like something spawned from the Brainchild era of COD, it grows and breathes deeper with life with every spin. The lyrics reflect upon the danger and futility of man “playing God.”
Alternatively, one of the most accessible and “infectious” songs here is “Hive Mind.” Lyrically, this song represents the crux of the subject matter: subjugation to the mainstream agenda. I mean, do lyrics get any more profound…
“Don’t worry about your life/We’ll help to pacify/Collective, controlling/While your will’s corroding/Counterfeit placation/Under our sedation/And no one seems to mind/That our light makes them blind”
However, in stark opposition to the will-less acceptance depicted in “Hive Mind,” the discerning self-realization going on with “Outside In” stands in humble recognition of the need for a “savior from self.” This semi-acoustic “ballad” could have easily found itself onto Celldweller’s 2017 departure Offworld.
“Father have mercy on your son/And always bring me home again/However far I’ve run”
Side C – Eclectic Dust
This “side” of songs represents the section of Machines of Our Disgrace where my 2016 impressions were less than enthusiastic. However, as alluded to above, my perspective on this album has changed upon hearing this regenerated vinyl version and after the interview with Klayton. “Neurachem” is a heavily narrative track where a doctor brings a “corpse” back to life using transhuman tech. Richard Morgan’s 2003 novel Altered Carbon may be an influence here along with the 1962 film The Brain That Wouldn’t Die. Although the song is heavy on “sampled narrative,” I’ve grown to appreciate the art here. Essentially, it plays well into into the Circle Of Dust mindset.
In companion, “k_Os” is an eerie cinematic (spoken soundbites/no singing) “instrumental” track. Probably the least engaging song on the album, it still “sounds” better, more expansive on the vinyl.
Contrastingly, “Neophyte” once again visits the more melodic elements of Celldweller, with some more open passages alternating with the heavier industrial groove. More soundbites, but the lyrics seem to work on multiple levels. Literally they imply welcoming/acceptance of a new (neo) reality where we are integrated with machines and/or aliens (as the spoken word here implies). Figuratively as a new explorer to or visitor within the Klayton musical universe or perhaps as a new follower of Jesus Christ.
Finally, this very eclectic album “side” concludes with the atmospheric “Malacandra,” easily the most movie-soundtrack song on the album. The deep bass on this vinyl mix will test and tax the limit of your listening system so be prepared if you’ve got the volume cranked!
Side D – “Neo” Dust
Perhaps the biggest impact on my new perspective – aside from the power and dynamic range of the vinyl mix – of Machines of Our Disgrace derives from Side D, especially the two new songs.
Spiritual Warfare
Commencing with “Invisible World” prepare to listen to the most consistently metal/loud album side. Even though this song was written (but never published) during the original sessions in 2015/2016, this thrashy, industrial number was mixed and mastered in 2025 by Joel Wanasek. Consequently, these two “neo” songs have a more contemporary mix than the original tracks. Not only does this add more power to the songs but it invigorates the entire album, injecting the “newest” Klayton dust into the listener’s ears and minds. Lyrically, “Invisible World” at its core is about spiritual warfare.
“Our souls soaked in the blood of our own choice/And our egos drown the sound of a still small voice”
Mortal Prison
The dynamic and thrash-y “Dust to Dust” was released in 2017 as a “single” companion track to the original release. The idea here is the struggle during our human journey (“progression”) to break free from our mortality. The plodding and very dark, dystopian opening segment recall the Brainchild release, a reference to this in the lyrics. The vocal style and the heavy, machine-like guitar riffs are reminiscent of songs like “Course of Ruin,” “Deviate” and “Enshrined” from Brainchild or “Contagion” on this album.
Fake Messiah
Subsequently, “Digital Messiah” (the other new “single”) builds upon the Machines of Our Disgrace platform but takes everything up a notch in intensity, both lyrically and musically – quintessential COD. Clearly this song is the culmination of the musical and lyrical themes displayed on Machines of Our Disgrace. The concepts of societal influence and control by “the machines” and the reflections upon the spiritual struggles and warfare going on both seen and unseen are here encapsulated.
In fact, the lyrics are so good I’ve included them below as they are arguably the most overtly spiritual words Klayton has ever so transparently delivered in a single song. The whole idea of “running from our humanity” insanely embracing the “digital messiah” circles back to COD’s debut album, a reference in the lyrics of this song specifically to the debut’s “Technological Disguise.” (see below)
Once again, the massive production sound, the melodic and driving guitar, the drum and bass kick and groove serve to enhance the impact of the desperate message. If asked to pick one song on the entire album that perfectly encapsulates all things Circle Of Dust, it would be “Digital Messiah.”
Encore
In finale – an encore of sorts – the ingeniously titled “Drum Machines of Our Disgrace” (originally released in 2018) “summarizes” the album in medley fashion. Amped up on steroids, the drum beats and grooves offer not only an energetic synopsis of the album, but the song alternatively could be used as an enticing hype piece for prospective COD neophytes!
The End of Our Disgrace
This definitive vinyl edition represents not only an excellent visual and sonic rendition of Machines of Our Disgrace – the enhanced vinyl mix truly breathing fresh life into the songs – it simultaneously showcases (particularly the new songs) Klayton’s latest production ability/gifts and his “come full circle” spiritual state which points to the timeless hope-cure for humanity’s disgraced soul. Essential.
Side A
re_Engage (1:20)
Machines of Our Disgrace (5:25)
Contagion (5:25)
Embracing Entropy (6:53)
Side B
Humanarchy (5:00)
Signal (00:30)
alt_Human (5:00)
Hive Mind (5:57)
Outside In (6:15)
Side C
Neurachem (4:44)
k_Os (3:30)
Neophyte (6:00)
Malacandra (6:03)
Side D
Invisible World (5:04)
Dust to Dust (5:49)
Digital Messiah (4:06)
Drum Machines of Our Disgrace (3:20)
The Definitive Edition for digital download/streaming is also available (with additional bonus tracks) on Bandcamp HERE.
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