Age of Machine

Album: The Battle At Garden's Gate (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This 6:53 minute-long atmospheric, slow-burn rocker finds Josh Kiszka singing of our dependence on technology. He states that God did not create human beings to be "plugged in from the womb."

    God machine
    Malfunctioned as it grew
    And the circuits blew
  • Halfway through the song, Josh Kiszka talks about the human race freeing itself from the domination of machinery.

    Unplug from the source
    No more underscores
    Open up the doors


    Now it's not reliant anymore on industry, war production and digital technology, humanity is free to enjoy life. Kiszka said: "That's the human experience. It's much more than pain or fear; it's also beauty. People need people, and love is important."
  • Greta Van Fleet recorded the song for their second album, Battle At Garden's Gate. The family band laid it down at Southern California's Henson Recording Studios and No Expectations Studio with Greg Kurstin. The producer also worked with Foo Fighters on their Concrete and Gold and Medicine at Midnight records.
  • Greta Van Fleet based the album on the fictional Garden's Gate where different cultures and civilizations face an assortment of challenges before finding enlightenment on the track "Heat Above." They set this song in the world outside of Garden's Gate where the people are seeking healing from the tyranny of technology.
  • Before recording Garden's Gate in California, Greta Van Fleet holed up in a cabin just outside of Nashville, where lengthier tracks such as this one came together. Josh Kizska told American Songwriter this song started with a riff that guitarist Jake Kizska had, and they began building it out from there.

Comments: 1

  • Genxer72 from Baltimore MdThis song really hit me when i dug into the lyrics. One of my favorites by them. These kids got the gift. I havent heard anything like them since the 70s. I dont see a Led Zepplin try to be with them. I think they grew up listening to their dads music and thats the style they wanted to bring back. I will admit Josh kinda moves like Plant on stage tho, but totally original music. Theyre next level.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.