Feed the Machine cover

Feed the Machine

Nickelback · 2017

5 min · 1 track · alternative rock

A hard-hitting blend of anthemic choruses and gritty guitar riffs that captures Nickelback's signature sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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    Feed the Machine — The title track serves as a powerful anthem with aggressive lyrics that critique societal norms, embodying the album's overall rebellious spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100
Lowland
Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic rock with introspective moments but lacks standout writing or production.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, establishing a high-energy opening.
  • The album includes several slower ballads, with 'Song on Fire' and 'Home' providing contrast to the heavier tracks.
  • The last two tracks are more introspective, with 'The Betrayal (Act I)' and 'The Betrayal (Act III)' creating a narrative arc.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Strong release showing continued vitality in their later career.
Themes
societal critique· rebellious spirit· post-industrial angst
Career context
Released in 2017, Feed the Machine is Nickelback's ninth studio album and their first after a three-year hiatus. At this point, the band was navigating mixed critical reception and aiming to reaffirm their presence in the rock genre following the commercial success of their previous albums.
Stylistic neighbors
Creed· Puddle of Mudd· Default
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Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Feed the Machine 5:02

What to play next

Get Rollin'
Listen next

Get Rollin'

2022

Continues the hard-hitting sound with fresh energy and modern production.
No Fixed Address
Go back to

No Fixed Address

2014

Explores similar themes and sounds, setting the stage for 'Feed the Machine'.
Full Nickelback discography Where to start with Nickelback Artists like Nickelback
alternative rock hard rock post-grunge

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Attention Attention

Attention Attention

Shinedown

Shares the same anthemic energy and themes of personal struggle and societal critique.

Outsider

Outsider

Three Days Grace

Combines gritty riffs with themes of rebellion and emotional turmoil, resonating with post-grunge sentiments.

Ember

Ember

Breaking Benjamin

Features hard-hitting guitar work and explores themes of angst and resilience, aligning with Nickelback's sound.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata