It's been four years since the last album from the North Carolina metalcore band Bloodjinn. Their current lineup includes former He Is Legend guitarist McKenzie Bell, who recently joined the band. This Machine Runs On Empty is potent metalcore, with plenty of breakdowns.
Bloodjinn's songwriting has improved on this album. The riffs are razor sharp and the songs, although loaded with intensity, are very melodic and catchy. The problem with many metalcore bands is every song sounds the same, but Bloodjinn changes things up with tempos and a variety of riffs to avoid that pitfall.
The vocals could use a little more diversity. Joel Collins has a powerful and emotional screaming style, but doesn't change it up very much. There are a few lower pitched vocals and even a melodic part or two, but changing the intensity and pitch of the vocals a little more would make it even better.
