Los Angeles-based bass duo RIOT—made up of Tom Davidson and Daniel Magid—launch a bold new era with the release of their long-awaited sophomore album, The Machine, out August 1 on SLANDER and NGHTMRE’s label Gud Vibrations. A 15-track sonic uprising fusing explosive bass, cinematic world-building, and futuristic grit, the album marks RIOT’s most unapologetic artistic statement yet.
Anchored by the lead single “March of the Machine,” the project unfolds as a dystopian concept album rooted in themes of rebellion, transformation, and creative freedom. Known for their fusion of melodic progressions and guttural low-end mayhem, RIOT sharpen their signature sound into something more refined—and more defiant.
“‘The Machine’ was born out of rebellion and the strong belief that no matter how massive the machine is, we won’t back down,” shares RIOT. “We wrote this from the perspective of the machine—not because we are it, but because we refuse to become it.”
They continue: “To us, the machine represents everything we’re up against as artists and as people. It’s the pressure to conform, the silent rules that tell us how we should sound, look, or act to succeed. But that’s not why we make music. Every drop, every lyric—it’s all a step away from that system and toward something freer.”
That message takes center stage on “March of the Machine,” a towering anthem that pairs cinematic builds with mechanized drops and apocalyptic energy. “It’s about the struggle between creation and destruction,” explains the duo. “A track told through the eyes of an entity that’s evolved beyond humanity—a prophet of control. It questions what power means when everything is at stake.”
Across the album, RIOT’s sound morphs and mutates without losing cohesion. Opening track “Genesis 710” lays the groundwork with eerie voiceover and sci-fi ambiance before exploding into a mechanical riot. “High Altar” invokes a dark, digital ritual with choral echoes and distorted percussion. “Click Clack” feels like chaos incarnate, ripping through speakers with pure industrial fire.
On the other end of the spectrum, “Deadshot” hits like a warning alarm—tight, sharp, and destructive. Then there’s “Slide,” a complete curveball that embraces hip hop with swaggering beats and slick vocals, wrapping the album on a reflective, introspective note. It’s an unexpected finish that underscores RIOT’s versatility and commitment to breaking molds.
New tracks are joined by previously released fan-favorites like “Back To Back,” “Try Again,” “Hurricane,” and “Metalicious,” tying the conceptual thread into a high-impact, emotionally charged full-length experience. From gut-punching drops to cybernetic atmospheres, every moment of The Machine feels intentional, urgent, and unapologetically bold.
With hits like “Overkill” (35M+ Spotify streams), “Wake Up” with Kayzo (40M+ streams), and “You Don’t Even Know Me” with SLANDER (20M+ streams), RIOT have already secured their spot among the elite in the global bass scene. But The Machine isn’t about proving their place—it’s about rewriting the playbook. It’s rebellion with rhythm. Power with purpose.
RIOT’s The Machine is out August 1 on Gud Vibrations, a futuristic call to arms for anyone unwilling to conform—and ready to fight back through sound.
In support of the album, RIOT is embarking on The Machine Tour, hitting major cities and festival stages across North America including Shambhala, Lost Lands, Dancefestopia, Ember Shores, Apocalypse and headline stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Honolulu, and more. Full dates and tickets are available at www.themachinetour.com.