| Machine Head “Burn My Eyes” Roadrunner, 1994 Gloon : When I first heard this album I was blown away, this is some heavy shit. The opener ‘Davidian’ is still one of my all time favs and has got to go down as one of metal’s classics. Machine Head is the creation of one time Vio-lence guitarist Rob Flynn who is also the vocalist on this album, and boy does he deliver a killer of a record. From the aforementioned track the standard is set with the brilliant ‘Old’ and ‘A Thousand Lies’ on its heels. From here on it could have faded, but it doesn’t, it still keeps coming at ya track after track. Machine Head more than prove their versatility on this cut ranging from blistering speed ‘Blood for Blood’ to the atmosphere soaked chugging ‘Death Church’. At a time when American extreme metal was on the ropes and having to compete with recent releases from Sepultura and Pantera, this more than held its own against the already established big boys. If you love your metal heavy and with anger dripped attitude then this album is a must. Tens all round. Favourite Tracks – Davidian, Old, Blood for Blood, (and many more) Mark – 10/10 SECOND OPINION Lord Pale : Atmospheric heavy metal , excellent for its time and way better than the shit that gets called metal today . Fans of “Seasons In The Abyss” era Slayer will most likely appreciate what’s on offer here . Favourite Tracks – Old , Davidian , A Nation On Fire Mark – 9/10 Machine Head “The More Things Change……..” Roadrunner, 1997 Gloon : Three years I had to wait for this baby, and the big question is does it deliver. Well, yes and no. First things first Chris is gone on drums after sustaining and injury which sees him unable to drum to the speeds that MH demand (poor bastard), however his replacement Joey is equally as good and nothing is lost. To my relief Machine Head have not compromised themselves and produced an album which, in some ways, is even more extreme and heavy then their debut, however a ‘Burn My Eyes’ this is not . Though a consistent album there is no one or two songs that scream classic, maybe its just me and my big expectations, but hey I’m a demanding fan. The album however is far, far from a disgrace and still kicks some serious arse. The opener ‘Ten Ton Hammer’ is a perfect example that MH have lost nothing of their aggression and power. The album also has a ‘punkier’ feel overall than their first release which can be heard in ‘Struck a Nerve’ and ‘Bay of Pigs’. Overall though a good follow up to an awesome debut. Favourite Tracks – Ten Ton Hammer, Take My Scars, Down to None Mark – 8/10 SECOND OPINION Lord Pale : Average punky heavy thrash , poor follow up to a promising debut . Favourite Tracks – Blood Of The Zodiac , Spine Mark – 5/10 Machine Head “The Burning Red” Roadrunner, 1999 Gloon : Fuck me this is crap. Rob Flynn said in a radio interview prior to release of this pile of shit in Australia, that he was glad that MH stuck to their guns and they didn’t change but rather the scene changed. Bullshit this has sell out written all over it, or should I say ‘attempted’ sell out. What MH have done hear is produce an album which is still too extreme for commercial success and too muted for extreme metal fans. And that’s the main problem, the album is muted. From the opening song ‘Desire to Fire’ it is apparent. The intro promises a heavy build up resulting in a crushing opening riff, what you get after Rob’s initial screams is a reject muted, toned down Korn riff which would have sounded heavier if played by Bon Jovi. I shit you not, who ever produced this album should be fucking shot. Basically this is Rob trying to rap, trying to sing and basically being a complete half arsed fuckhead, and that’s the best word for this album ‘Half arsed’. Fuck, either fully cross over or produce some heavier shit, but just stop teasing loyal fans with this faggot rap-cross rock, because this shit ain’t metal. Pump up the guitars and get serious Rob, I’m fucking begging you. Favourite Tracks – The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears (fucking just barely) Mark – 4/10 (Very Generous) PS please don’t remind me of the Police cover, IT NEVER HAPPENED UNDERSTAND. SECOND OPINION Lord Pale : A rehash of material on their first two albums with crap production that kills the music on offer as much as the rapping vocals kill the rest of the album . Commercial sell out . The cover song “Message In A Bottle” is one of the better tracks and doesn’t even sound outta place !!! Oh dear …. Favourite Tracks – None Mark – 3/10 Machine Head - Supercharger Roadrunner, 2001 Gloon: Some would say that I was a bit harsh on Rob and the boys for the blasting I gave 'The Burning Red', maybe I was, maybe I wasn't, but harsh or not TBR just didn't cut it. The big question for me concerning this release was 'are Machine Head back' the answer, yes......well sort of! For starters Supercharger is not a return to the good old days of 'Burn My Eyes', however it is heavier then their previous effort and there is no shit rapping and less Kornisms (thank god!). The album kicks off with 'Bulldozer' a rip roaring opener and sure to be 'live' favourite. This sets the precedence for the new MH sound 'Heavy but light on aggression' with the exception of 'Trephination' (and even that sounds a little restrained). The deference this time round however is that the songs are better, 'White-Knuckle Blackout', 'Kick you when your Down' and 'All in your Head' are all solid and are better than the majority of shit found on TBR. However there are still too many average efforts though for my liking with nearly the whole second half of the album, except for the finishing title track, being below par and fairly uneventful. Then there is the shocker 'American High' where Rob reflects on his joys and heartaches when he was at school. Who really cares I ask you? So, is it any good? Supercharger 'IS' a marked improvement on their last effort however it still pails in comparison to their first two. I found I didn't mind this album and other fans may like it too, but I suggest you listen to it first and make up your own mind. Favourite Tracks: Bulldozer, Kick You When Your Down, White-Knuckle Blackout Rating: 6.5/10 Machine Head ‘Through the Ashes of Empires’ Roadrunner, 2003 Gloon: Rob Flynn has promised the faithful a return to form now for a few years and while ‘Supercharger’ was an improvement (if a rather small one) over the dismal ‘Burning Red’ it still didn’t measure up to past glories. It’s now 2003 and under a relative low profile comes the band’s fifth album ‘Through the Ashes of Empires’, and I can tell you right now this one DEFINITELY measures up. Blending the new style of songwriting and vocals found on ‘Supercharger’ with the heavy anger and intensity of ‘The More Things Change’ Machine Head have finally found a perfect medium between their thrash past and their nu-ish present. For starters the production is killer and the patented squeals and thrashing riffs are back as is apparent from the start with the awesome opener ‘Imperium’. Also back is the anger, with Rob’s voice returning to the spiteful yells and screams that made ‘Burn My Eyes’ such a vicious success. Songwriting wise this is possibly the band’s strongest effort with no fillers dragging the album down and some great arrangements. Quite simply Machine Head are back and have stopped pretending to be something their not, instead they have returned to their roots and have never sounded better. Thrash On!!!!!!!!! Favourite Tracks – Imperium, Bite the Bullet, Vim Rating – 8.5/10 |
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