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Smash the Control Machine

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Smash the Control Machine
Studio album by
Otep
ReleasedAugust 18, 2009
GenreAlternative metal, nu metal
Length64:39
60:39 (w/o silence)
LabelVictory
ProducerUlrich Wild
Otep chronology
The Ascension
(2007) 		Smash the Control Machine
(2009) 		Atavist
(2011)
Singles from Smash the Control Machine
  1. "Smash the Control Machine"
    Released: June 30, 2009
  2. "Rise, Rebel, Resist"
    Released: January 25, 2010
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Smash the Control Machine is the fourth studio album from Otep. It was released on August 18, 2009. t was produced by Ulrich Wild, who worked with bands such as White Zombie, Static-X, Bleeding Through, and Pantera. The album also shows a reunion of the band's Sevas Tra lineup. It is also the final album to feature long-time bassist Jason "eVil J" McGuire.

Background

In April 2009, Otep signed with Victory Records.[2]

The album is also the first to feature the Sevas Tra lineup of the band in seven years. "When I was told it was time to write a new album I reached out to [Rob and Moke]. At first, it was going to be just one song, but it was soon very clear that we couldn't stop what we started. Once we were back in the room together, it was if we were never apart." [3]

The album's title is taken from William S. Burroughs' Dead CIty Radio.[4]

Songs

"Head" is featured on the fantasy drama series True Blood. When asked how the collaboration, Otep responded; "I’m not sure how it happened. I got a message from Victory telling me to check this out. I mean Otep and True Blood. I almost fell out of my chair. I am a big fan of the show. It is such an honor to be a part of it."[5]

Numb & Dumb

Otep has described the song as "a look at the apathy that infects the American soul and a provocation to destroy it."[3]

"The economic crisis is hitting every working family in this country. The album and its title track, 'Smash The Control Machine', will lay bare the greed and corruption that fostered this calamity, but will also focus on the undying spirit of the working class that always fights the good fight. The title is a line from a William S. Burroughs poem. It is my intention to create an album that serves every head of the hydra that is OTEP. From poetry, to politics, to shock and awe, to sex and righteousness, to standing up and fighting back. Like the mystical symbol of the Ouroboros (the sacred serpent swallowing its tail) all things will be brought back to circle."

Otep describing the album and its themes.

UR A WMN NOW

"UR A WMN NOW" is significantly different to the rest of the songs on the album, being a piano and violin song. Otep has said of the song:

“Ur A Wmn Now” deals with the archaic and sometimes barbaric rites and rituals, that transition girls into women. It is a challenge to those social and cultural fossils and offers a rather common sense idea for what a real woman is: someone, who has accepted the responsibility of becoming their own person and with it, all the struggles, sacrifices, and successes."

Otep has also said the song is part of a sequence of songs; "Emtee" from Sevas Tra, "Autopsy Song" from House of Secrets, "Perfectly Flawed" from The Ascension and "UR A WMN NOW".[3]

Koichi Fukada of Static-X and Emilie Autumn contributed piano and violin to the song, respectively.

Where The River Ends

Otep has described "Where The River Ends" as a sequel to "Jonestown Tea" from Sevas Tra. [3]

Release

Smash the Control Machine was released by Victory Records on August 18, 2009. Along with a standard edition, a deluxe edition was released with a bonus DVD as well. The pre-release package also contained a T-shirt featuring the album cover and a poster of the cover.

The album was expected to sell between 12-15k copies in its first week.[6] Ultimately, the album sold 10,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at #47 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Track listing

All music and lyrics written by Otep.

No.TitleLength
1."Rise, Rebel, Resist"3:59
2."Sweet Tooth"4:21
3."Smash the Control Machine"3:44
4."Head"5:11
5."Numb & Dumb"4:26
6."Oh, So Surreal"4:21
7."Run for Cover"3:35
8."Kisses & Kerosene"4:12
9."Unveiled"3:28
10."UR A WMN NOW"4:19
11."Serv Asat"2:30
12."Where the River Ends"11:57
13."I Remember" (Hidden Track)8:34

Personnel

Awards

In 2010, Otep was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for the album Smash the Control Machine during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.[7]

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ Blabbermouth (2009-04-06). "OTEP Signs With VICTORY RECORDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  3. ^ a b c d "OTEP SHAMAYA". www.metalmaidens.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  4. ^ Blabbermouth (2009-11-01). "OTEP Frontwoman Interviewed By BareBonesMusic.com". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  5. ^ Jolicoeur, Todd (2010-08-19). "INTERVIEW: Otep Shamaya". The Rockpit. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  6. ^ "Otep: 'Smash' On Track To Sell 12K-15K First Week". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  7. ^ "21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards - English Language Nominees". Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2010.



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