Ape Machine Premiere New Single “Sabotronic” in Lyric Video; Out Tomorrow
Portland, Oregon, heavy rock and rollers Ape Machine are set to issue their new single ‘Sabotronic’ tomorrow, March 21. It is the third cut introduced to herald their upcoming full-length, Electric Viking, which the four-piece will self-release presumably sometime before the end of the year, and like the previously unveiled “Kryptonite” and “Flight,” you’ll find a thread of classic metal running underneath the latest track. In answer to the shred-solo histrionics of at the end of “Flight” and the chug-drunk verses of “Kryptonite,” “Sabotronic” has a galloping central progression led, unsurprisingly but satisfyingly, by the guitar, complemented by a let-loose soaring vocal and sharper rhythmic angularity.
The song takes its central theme from the current discussion around artificial intelligence, with lines like, “Lay back there’s nothing left to do,” and, “I’ve been designed to take all your time,” emblematic of the general perspective on the issue as delivered by vocalist Caleb Heinze, whose performance in these three-so-far singles demonstrates how suited his voice is to the harder-edged sound into which guitarist Ian Watts (who also engineered and mixed), bassist Nick Harris and drummer Dana Sims are digging.
There are multiple layers to the argument for or against general implementation of AI — unregulated, it could be an economy-devouring disaster, rampant unemployment, etc.; on the other hand, progress is progress and this is a new level of interaction between humans and technology that needs to be explored and developed, could change medicine, computer programming, on and on; creative types are screwed (again) because everyone who isn’t an artist hates artists; Terminator 2, and so on — and by no means are Ape Machine the first to come up with a metal song critical about the threat of new technology on a planet where Fear Factory continue to roam and Black Sabbath put out “Computer God” in 1992, but the relevance is undeniable and so is the hook, and as is their wont, Ape Machine tick off boxes for quality heavy rock and roll one after the next, not at all robotic in the doing but assured as a band who’ve been around since 2009. The word is “reliable.”
Ape Machine‘s fifth album, Darker Seas (review here), came out through Ripple Music in 2018, so they’re half a decade removed from that — though they’ve done shows in that span of time certainly, conditions permitting — and I’m curious to see how the rest of Electric Viking plays out on arrival. We’ve got a pretty good sample to work from at this point, and I’ve included “Kryptonite” and “Flight” below as well so at least it’s all here.
Dig in and enjoy:
Ape Machine, “Sabotronic” lyric video premiere
Ape Machine will release their new single and lyric video for Sabotronic on Tuesday March 21st via Ape Machine Music. The song is an observation of the ever increasing power of AI and how we become unwitting, and often unwilling, participants in its takeover of our lives. Orwell warned us over seventy years ago and Judas Priest warned us some forty years ago with Electric Eye. The machines might be taking over, but they’ll never kill the Ape.
Sabotronic marks the third single release from their upcoming album Electric Viking, release date TBA.
Written and produced by Ape Machine. Recorded and mixed Ian Watts at Dead Aunt Thelma’s in Portland, OR and Magic Closet South in Stayton, OR.
Current lineup:
Caleb Heinze – Vocals
Ian Watts – Guitars
Nick Harris – Bass
Dana Sims – Drums
