This week's offering comes from an old friend who has his own PR and consulting firm in Florida. Chip sent this 14-song debut CD titled "My Machine" by an Arizona-based quintet called Crushed (made up of singer-guitarist Mike Lauer, guitarist Mike Halland, guitarist/keyboardist Harry McCaleb, bassist Mike Brown, and drummer Jeff Garten).

What grabbed my attention about the band is that they've successfully melded goth with metal and kept it surprisingly melodic. You have the concussive bass-drum pulse and crushing guitar work supporting strong, powerful lead vocals that only occasionally morph into that growl/scream mode that passes for singing in metal bands nowadays.

Lauer's voice is classic yet original, very emotive and still accessible and well-tempered. It's best on the "quiet" tracks such as "Everything's Gone," one of the album's finer, more lyrical moments with washes of keyboards and acoustic guitars. There's nothing wrong with it on the harder-edged songs, don't get me wrong, but I really appreciate his control and style.

All told, this is a great blend of riff rockers, unrelenting metal and melodic qualities that has enough familiarity to make it instantly recognizable as well as enough one-of-a-kind elements to capture -- and hold -- your interest.