Machina

With music that runs an emotional spectrum from blunt force aggression to restless serenity, and lyrics that are both socially conscious and spiritually aware, MACHINA creates a soundscape that balances power and melody with a raw authenticity. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Machina consists of FUTURE LEADERS OF THE WORLD vocalist, Phil Taylor, and former members of EVANESCENCE John LeCompt (guitar) and Rocky Gray (drums), with Thad Ables on bass. With Evanescence for nearly six years, LeCompt and Gray toured the world alongside the Deftones, Velvet Revolver, Godsmack and Marilyn Manson. Their album, Fallen, spent 43 weeks in the Billboard Top 10. In 2004, the band won two Grammys for "Best New Artist" and "Best Hard Rock Performance." Since 2003, the band has sold more than 17 million albums. In 2004, Taylor's band Future Leaders of the World released its first album, LVL IV, on Epic Records. The album sold more than 200,000 copies. The first single, "Let Me Out" reached No. 3 on the Active Rock Chart, No. 6 on the Billboard Chart, and stayed in the top 10 for ten weeks. Characterized by high-energy grunge metal, Future Leaders of the World quickly became a favorite on Headbanger's Ball and MTV.com. The band also played a rigorous schedule of tours and festivals including shows with Shinedown, the 2005 SnoCore Tour with Crossfade and Chevelle, and the 2005 Jägermeister tour with Alterbridge. In between tours, John met Phil on the Little Rock scene. The two had instant rapport, and agreed to start writing songs together. Despite their differing musical origins, there was a mutual respect, and recognition of synergy. It quickly became apparent that a new creative era for each of them was imminent. After recording a 6-song EP, they toured nationwide for several months at a time. Playing in such diverse venues as the Lit Lounge in New York City, El Corazón in Seattle, and the famed Whisky A Go-Go in LA. During this time, they were also writing and recording demos, growing a collection of new material that even included a writing collaboration with legendary Mötley Crüe guitarist, Mick Mars. With this new material, Machina entered The Sound Kitchen in Nashville, TN with multi-platinum, Grammy-winning producer Toby Wright (Korn, Alice In Chains, Sevendust) to record their first full-length album. In August 2012, Machina signed with Rogue Records America. And, less than a month later, their debut album, To Live and Die in the Garden of Eden, was released worldwide. The band is currently touring and promoting the album, as well as its first single, "Crown." With a decade of commercial success already achieved among its members, Machina brings their experience into crafting new songs that not only appeal to a wide audience, but also resist falling into stale or predictable genre trappings. They are intent on remaining genuine to the artform, embracing the diversity of their influences, and, in doing so, moving the genre forward. “Just when things may have seemed to cut Machina’s journey short, or potentially halt the release of this record, there has always been a break through, a push to move us forward and get our music heard.” Says Taylor. “We put so much blood, sweat, and heart into this record as a band, but really only God has got us to this point. For that, we are humble and thankful. I can honestly say without a shadow of a doubt, that we collectively are more excited about getting this record out to our fans and performing it for them, than anything we’ve ever done in the past. All the struggles and challenges we’ve been through together over the past 5 years have only made us stronger, and more dedicated to our purpose.” MACHINA is a new generation of intricate, multilayered rock; a melodic blend of post-grunge rock, fused with southern metal.