Artistic freedom remains paramount to Emotional Syphon Recordings. "When Korn was on Sony," explains Shaffer, "we were so lucky the label never came in and said we couldn't say things on our records. We were able to have 100 percent creative freedom. One of my main goals is to maintain that. I'm never going to tell artists on my label what they can and can't say. I want them to push the envelope."

Shannon Crawford-the mastermind behind Monster In The Machine-does just that with BUTTERFLY PINNED. He's crafted a record that entrances the listener with swirling acoustic melodies and haunting, hypnotic electronics. From the infectiously incendiary chorus of "Under Your Shadow" to the sonic dreamscape of "Helicopter," the music remains memorable. Pristine melodies soar over brooding beats, and tracks like "Savior" convey a message of disenchantment and call for change. Underneath the beauty of the music lies an honest mirror reflecting social ills. Yet, hope for a solution exists. Issues faced include the death of our environment, religion's contradictions and the perilous existence of an artist under the thumb of a corporation. These are some of the darker themes that Crawford delves into on BUTTERFLY PINNED.