This Machine Kills - Death In The Audobon Ballroom

The name of the album, a reference to the assassination of Malcolm X is very fitting, considering the content of the record is focused on politics, and specifically civil rights. There are even clips of Malcolm X's speech, "The Ballot Or The Bullet" during the title track of this album, as well as other clips on the subject of minority empowerment. I love the sound clip at the beginning of the whole thing. It's so energetic in a way I'm not used to. This is a great album that steps over the boundaries between punk, hardcore, and screamo so easily. Musically, it sounds a bit like Das Oath, while politically it gives me a Yaphet Kotto feel (it's an Ebullition release). This was world-famous DJ Steve Aoki's hardcore band and he was so frantic and energetic as a vocalist that it makes me want to describe them as sassy and out of control.

"Go eat some words and I'll bury in the sand."



1. Cracking The Mask
2. Bending The Erotic
3. Giving Testimony
4. Our Histories Have Burned Holes In Your Flag
5. Running With All These Names
6. Breakdown
7. Hearts And Minds
8. Death In The Audobon Ballroom
9. And The Weight Of That Silence Alone Will Choke Us