For today’s Rising Star Review, we’re heading to Ventura, California, to put the band Stronger Than Machines on The Chopping Block. Let’s take a look……
If you’re a fan of metal core with a bit of a Swedish twist, then you’re definitely going to like Stronger Than Machines. I have to say it’s always great when a band wears their influences on their sleeves and these guys are a perfect example of such. Singer Andy Knapp is an absolute monster on vocals and the best way I can describe his vocals are if you take the range of Howard and Jessie from Killswitch Engage but mix the screams and cadence of Lynn Strait from Snot. Of course that makes him absolutely PERFECT as he is the new singer of Snot and yes he absolutely nails those Snot songs perfectly!!!
Now you also throw in great guitar work from Ethan Franklin who you can tell is very much influenced by bands like Soilwork and Killswitch Engage and that is just a match made in heaven/hell. Of course, every great band needs a heavy rhythm section and bassist Angel Chavez and drummer Steven Powell absolutely crush it!! Now when it comes to streaming their music, they have two EPs along with a couple singles. The first one is called Undivided and the best way I can describe is if you take A Predator’s Portrait era Soilwork and mix it with Alive Or Just Breathing era Killswitch and mix the two together. It honestly is a great combination of metal core and the Gothenburg sound. The second one is called Warnings and that one I would say is a bit more melodic, but it’s just as great.
Now this year in 2026 they have also released two great singles one called “No Way Out” and “Comments.” Both are great and have a sort of grittiness to them with the brutality level upped. I’m a big fan of big riffs and those early Swedish inspired riffs and both those songs are perfect examples of such. If you’re in the Ventura area and you’re looking for a great band to see definitely be sure to check these guys out. They have also played Cobalt Presents shows and who knows they could be there again, you’ll just have to stay tuned.
Stronger Than Machines is:
Andy Knapp: Voice
Angel Chavez: Bass
Ethan Franklin: Guitar
Steven Powell: Drums
Find Stronger Than Machines on:
Instagram: stmofficial
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