{"id":16569,"date":"2025-12-17T08:48:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T13:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=16569"},"modified":"2025-12-19T12:27:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T17:27:01","slug":"review-circle-of-dust-machines-of-our-disgrace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/17\/review-circle-of-dust-machines-of-our-disgrace\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Circle Of Dust – Machines of Our Disgrace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Definitive Edition Vinyl (2025)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>, was released on digital platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as was the case with the debut (2019) and Brainchild <\/em>(2023) vinyl releases, we are now being introduced to the first vinyl pressing of Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em> 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. \u201cInvisible World<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cDigital Messiah<\/strong>\u201d along with \u201cDust to Dust<\/strong>\u201d (2017) and \u201cDrum Machines of Our Disgrace<\/strong>\u201d (2018) constitute “bonus” Side D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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alt_Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My previous thoughts (2016) on this \u201ccomeback\/reunion\u201d release are logged HERE<\/a>. However, this vinyl version has \u201cgifted\u201d to me a fresh perspective on Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em>. My initial impression was the music was an amalgamation of older COD, Disengage<\/em> era COD and Celldweller where the heaviness factor wasn\u2019t as consistently present and the soundbites in excess. While all that stands to reason, listening to these songs on vinyl media \u2013 the new songs on board \u2013 has somewhat “altered” my initial perspective \u2026 in a positive direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, considering Klayton’s view on the music and lyrics offers a fresh way to experience Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em>. 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<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The white vinyl discs are housed in a thick gatefold jacket (credits and art) with printed inner sleeves (lyrics). (see above and below)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Songs of Our Disgrace<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Side A \u2013 Return of Dust<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where Klayton \u201cdisengaged\u201d from COD in 1998, the instrumental \u201cre_Engage<\/strong>\u201d 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<\/strong>. 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 \u201cmachines\u201d here represent social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, this metal intensity becomes even more apparent on the album\u2019s most iconic single, \u201cContagion<\/strong>.\u201d While the digital version is intense, the vinyl rendering possesses a powerful \u201clive\u201d vibe. The balance in the mix between those hypnotic guitar riffs, the prophetic vocals and the bass and kick drum punch is sublime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEmbracing Entropy<\/strong>\u201d 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 \u2013 that bass punch and wide frequency range more in tune with the human ear\u2019s perception, which is quite evident on this track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Side B \u2013 Cautionary Foreshadowing Dust<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contrastingly, \u201cHumanarchy<\/strong>\u201d shreds with industrial metal strength, perhaps the heaviest track of the bunch. Even this \u201cloud\u201d track benefits from the vinyl format. The drums and bass once again balance out the treble-y inclinations inherent to the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transitional \u201cSignal<\/strong>,\u201d an instrumental, narrative-type track, signals a transition to the more diverse collection of songs which follow. While not the case in 2016, \u201calt_Human<\/strong>\u201d has since become one of my favorite tracks on Machines of Our Disgrace<\/em>. Like something spawned from the Brainchild<\/em> era of COD, it grows and breathes deeper with life with every spin. The lyrics reflect upon the danger and futility of man \u201cplaying God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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