No Return is one of the most original and inspiring modern bands on the French metal scene. Blending traditional 80’s thrash and progressive death metal with futuristic industrial metal, the group delivers a truly phenomenal mixture of power and passion.

“Machinery“, the band’s fifth full-length release, remains one of their finest offerings, bringing a heavy dose of modern metal annihilation! The album was released in 2002 and soon it was clear that this was the band’s best material yet. Filled with brutal riffing, light-speed drumming and harsh, passionate vocals, the album brings a phenomenal mixture of old-school Bay Area thrash metal and cybernetic industrial sounds, making up for a truly unique atmosphere. The listener gets stomped right from the beginning, with such ferocious tracks as “Virus”, the Gothenburg-inspired “Disillusion” and “Violator”, which was dubbed by some reviewers a perfect mix between old Fear Factory and Kreator. But one of the most interesting highlights of the record is definitely No Return’s cover version of “Secret Face” by the legendary Death – an amazingly original interpretation of a truly brilliant song.

 Lyrically, “Machinery” is a cybernetic concept album, portraying futuristic vision of death and annihilation in a world overrun by rebellious machines. It’s no wonder that the music press often compared this LP to “Soul of a New Machine” by Fear Factory, but also to Sepultura’s “Arise” and Entombed’s “Left Hand Path“. Without question, No Return’s fifth opus is one of the most extraordinary releases on the modern metal scene.

Metal Mind Productions will release “Machinery” in a new digipak edition on the 25th August 2008 in Europe and 28th October 2008 in USA (via MVD). It will be digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on a golden disc and limited to 2000 copies.

No Return
“Machinery” (remastered)

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1226 DG
Barcode: 5907785033412
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Genre: death/thrash metal
Release date: 25.08.2008 Europe / 28.10.2008 USA

Tracklist:

1. Machinery
2. The Recycler
3. Violator
4. Synthetic
5. Disillusion
6. Virus
7. Resurrection
8. Disease
9. Dynamo
10. The Last Act
11. Biomechanoid
12. Secret Face

Bio
The group was formed in 1989 in Paris, when five musicians – Phil Ordon (vocals), Eric le Baron (guitar), Laurent Janaut (bass), Alain Clement (guitar) and Didier le Baron (drums) – joined forces. The material they soon prepared made a huge impression on a young French label called Semetary Records, which offered the band a record deal in 1990. No Return recorded their debut LP at the famous Phoenix studio in Germany, with the help of producer Marquis Marky (who is also a drummer in the band Coroner). “Psychological Torment” was released in 1990 and instantly became a big hit in France and Germany. The group promoted their debut release with performances alongside such bands as Sacred Reich and Exhorder. In 1991 No Return traveled to America to record their second album at the acclaimed Morrisound Studios in Florida with producer Tom Morris (known from working with, among others, Morbid Angel, Coroner and Savatage). “Contamination Rises” hit the stores in 1992, repeating the debut’s success. The release was followed by concerts with Sepultura, Napalm Death and Coroner.
In 1992 No Return parted with vocalist Phil Ordon, who was soon replaced by Tanguy. The band begun working on their third album, “Season of the Soul“, which was eventually recorded at the Studio des Forces Motrices in Switzerland, with producer David Weber (who previously worked with Young Gods, Kill The Thrill and Treponem Pal). Released in 1995, the album proved to be a step forward for the band’s style, being more complex and brutal at the same time. The release was followed by a series of concerts called the Brutal Tour, where No Return played with fellow bands Massacra, Loudblast and Crusher. In 1997 the group managed to record a 6-track EP called “Red Embers“, again at the Studio des Forces Motrices. More gigs followed, taking the band to such countries as Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 1998 vocalist Tanguy quit the group and was temporarily replaced by the original singer, Laurent, until in 1999 Steeve “Zuul” Petit took over the vocal duties. With a renewed line-up, No Return begun working on the material for their fourth album. The recording session took place in Alexis Phélipot’s studio in France. The band decided to add samples into their songwriting formula, which proved to be a very smart move – “Self Mutilation” sounded extremely heavy, joining both modern and traditional schools of metal. The album was released in 2001 by a French label Kodiak Records, instantly gaining huge acclaim on the local scene. No Return did not slow down their pace and soon started working on another LP, previously welcoming two new members: Benoit “Ben” Antonia (guitar) and Malko Pouchin (keyboards/synths). The material for “Machinery” was recorded in October 2001 at the CCR studios in Belgium and mixed at FunMasters Studios in France. The group was soon contacted by Nuclear Blast Records, who were eager to release No Return’s newest LP. Eventually the band signed a 3-album deal in January 2002…
“Machinery” got released in the same year and soon it was clear that this was the band’s best material yet. Filled with brutal riffing, light-speed drumming and harsh, passionate vocals, the album brings a phenomenal mixture of old-school Bay Area thrash metal and cybernetic industrial sounds, making up for a truly unique atmosphere. The listener gets stomped right from the beginning, with such ferocious tracks as “Virus”, the Gothenburg-inspired “Disillusion” and “Violator”, which was dubbed by some reviewers a perfect mix between old Fear Factory and Kreator. But one of the most interesting highlights of the record is definitely No Return’s cover version of “Secret Face” by the legendary Death – an amazingly original interpretation of a truly brilliant song. Lyrically, “Machinery” is a cybernetic concept album, portraying futuristic vision of death and annihilation in a world overrun by rebellious machines. It’s no wonder that the music press often compared this LP to “Soul of a New Machine” by Fear Factory, but also to Sepultura’s “Arise” and Entombed’s “left hand Path“. Without question, No Return’s fifth opus is one of the most extraordinary releases on the modern metal scene.
The release of the album was followed by a small line-up change, as the group welcomed new bass player Olivia Scemama. Soon No Return went on a bunch of promotional shows, including a fabulous performance at the Summer Breeze festival, next to such cult acts as Dimmu Borgir, Pro-Pain, Samael, Soilwork, Tiamat and Nightwish. After some more line-up changes the group released their self-titled sixth album in January 2006, this time with the help of Season of Mist. They are currently working on new, groundbreaking material…
The exclusive re-release of “Machinery” is a perfect opportunity to get to know one of the most inspiring groups on the French metal scene. No Return have managed to come up with a perfect combination of traditional metal and industrial vibes, making each of their releases a truly memorable experience. Feel free to join their dark, cybernetic vision, but be warned – once you dive in, there’s no return!!!