There is not another band in South Africa that defines hard rock in all its glory than Man As Machine. The band uses elements of hard rock, alternative rock and grunge in their music to create a brilliant mix of musical pleasure for their listeners. You can expect plentiful fast beats, melodic harmonies and crunchy guitar parts in their variety of songs found on their two albums, Nothing But A Thing (2011) and Patterns (2015). The band currently consists of Rob Visser (lead vocals), Xavier Knox (bass guitar), Norden Hartman (lead guitar) and KJ Forde (drums).
Honourable mentions:
The Panic, Letter, Man in the Mirror, Closing In
5. Force
‘Force’ is a song that could easily be used in a Star Wars soundtrack with its various references to the movie franchise in its lyrics. Its lyrics are beautifully written with an inspired message to never give up and use ‘the force, dear.’ The opening lyrics, ‘I feel I can sense those midichlorians flowing through your body,’ is a good example. The guitar work in this song is also simple, yet effective with the opening riff cementing the structure of the song. Forde’s drum work is also strong in this one as he and Knox provide the backbone of this song. The bridge quickly switches the nature towards a heavier edge with distorted guitar and a lead riff to complete the song.

4. Here I Am
‘Here I Am’ is a classic rock and roll song with distorted guitars and a bouncing riff that form the basis of this track. Visser’s vocals are top-notch once again as he effortlessly hits those high notes in the pre-chorus. The song also has a melodic bridge section, where the guitar takes centre stage with a solo piece, breaking it down to a halt before the final chorus bursts the song back into life. The piece de resistance is the thunderous drumming from Forde to close off the song.
3. Damned If You Do
The opening song on the band’s debut album, Nothing But a Thing starts off with a bang, just like any good hard rock album opener should sound. The frantic and fast-paced nature of the guitar and drums will make you bang your head, guaranteed. It almost feels like you are transported to the place where different styles of metal and hard rock collide. The main riff in the verse and chorus are a constant barrage on your eardrums and are made to be played loud. Add to that Visser’s amazing vocals and you have an exceptionally high-quality song. Visser really shines in this song that focuses on broken relationships and the importance of being yourself and doing what you like. Just listen to his rock and roll scream, in the beginning, to get you hooked. This five-minute song is definitely one of their best. Just listen to the sweet old school rock and roll solo in the bridge from Hartman to justify this even further.
2. Control
This is one of the band’s most popular songs and starts out with a drum beat from Forde and a clean lead guitar part from Hartman before Visser hits the high notes in a full-bodied chorus, complete with distorted guitars. The dynamics between softer verses and louder choruses work perfectly in this song. Visser’s vocals can be compared to Chris Cornell in this song as he masterfully blends softer moments of high-pitched singing. Definitely one of SA’s best rock vocalists.

1. Burnout
Funk, blues and rock ‘n roll fused into one song – that is how ‘Burnout’ can best be described. The song starts with a funky bass lick that would not be out of place in a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. The song then goes up a notch with Visser’s vocals in the chorus as he hits insane highs with ‘Where do we go? rise to the top and you will fall down again’ Z truly the best chorus this band has produced in their career, thus far. The guitar work and solo clinch the deal even further, showing the band’s ability to go from funky and rhythmic to bare-boned melodic rock ‘n roll.