Hey everyone! sorry I haven't written in ages but I have been really busy and thought why not start my next piece with some of the best metal today. Machine Head!!. First of all they formed in 1992 in Oakland, California. They were formed by Robb Flynn (lead singer/guitarist), previously of "Vio-Lence" and "Forbidden", and Adam Duce (bassist/backing vocalist). Machine Head come under the genre of "The New Wave of American Heavy Metal" and rightfully so since they have churned out some of the heaviest songs ever with pure brilliance in songwriting. Proof of their tightness as a band shows in the fact that they have only had 4 member changes in 17 years. Machine Head (MH) got their name because Robb Flynn thought it "sounded cool" and is not related to Deep Purple's "Machine Head" album. When MH formed, they played in a garage with other punk bands and eventually recorded a demo in a friend's bedroom making money through Duce dealing speed and marijuana. Roadrunner records heard the demo and signed MH immediately. MH created "Burn My Eyes" and this was an immense album with gut-wrenching riffs and sound as heavy as a ten-ton hammer. Unfortunately the album didn't get as huge recognition as it deserved until later years due to the "grunge movement" at this time. The album was written in relation to Rob Flynn's previous struggles in life with his former band and also with drugs. Their drummer left into the album's production and was replaced by Chris Kontos who was later fired and went onto join Testament. Dave Mcclain took his place. MH were touring with the likes of Slayer and gaining a mighty reputation. They went on to create the albums "The More Things Change.." and "The Burning Red". Guitarist Logan Mader left the band at this point and included a moment where he showed up to band practice high on methamphetamine and insulting the band members. Ahrue Luster replaced him and was an influence of some of the rap vocals (that bastard!!). MH then created (the disaster album in my opinion), "Supercharger". This album sucked for me because instead of the Bay Area thrash and metal sound it was total rap metal and mainstream shit. Maybe it is understandable due to the time of release but MH were heading downwards (thank God for what was to come). Supercharger failed on all levels for me and they released the video "Crashing Aroud You" just around the same time as the September 11th attacks causing the video to be banned. It was at this period Phil Demmel (also ex-Vio-Lence member) filled in on guitar. He became a full time member and thus, MH was about to go pure american metal on everyone's ass!. They had left Roadrunner now and things seemed terrible (I was beginning to question my loyalty to the band) but then MH created "Through The Ashes of Empires" and re-signed to Roadrunner. This album was purely epic. From the unbeleivably precise yet chaotic riffage of "Imperium", to the ghostly "Descend the Shades of Night" Machine Head were back full throttle to take over the Metal world. The album was bone shatteringly heavy and as brutal as could be. The drumming is particularly kick ass. In 2005, MH played in Dubai, this being their first show in the Middle East. MH continued to rule as they released "The Blackening" in 2007. This album was just unbelievably good. It was like a modern day "Master of Puppets" and even James Hetfield described the album as being "on fire". Songs on this album display twisted riff after riff, vocal cord tearing vocals, bass and drums that rumble like thunder, and even sweet guitar solos. A masterpiece from the album is "Halo" which defines the word epic (similarly to imperium). MH were now on top of the metal world and they had tours alongside Lamb of God, Slipknot and Children of Bodom. In October 2008, MH recorded a cover of Iron Maiden's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" for Kerrang Magazine and it was truly brilliant. In 2009, MH have toured in support of Metallica alongside "The Sword". Phil Demmel has stated that they have a lot of touring commitments but hope to have a new release for 2011. I will be waiting Phil :D. A final thing to say is that MH are incredible live. I saw them in Glasgow years ago and they were my 2nd band to see live. They opened up the biggest circle pit I had ever seen and the whole venue was shaking. Moments of glory include Robb Flynn's stare of death into the audience, Phil Demmel doing a forward flip into my part of the crowd :D, and their cover of Metallica's "Creeping Death". Flynn looks like a man possessed and I will never forget that show. If you get the chance go see them! you will not be dissapointed.
Now for the reccomendations: First of all check out the above links and then the following: "Davidian", "Now I Lay Thee Down", "Clenching The Fists of Dissent", "Old", Vim (sorry no youtube link available) and "The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears".
Sometimes I forget why I even do reccomendations, if I write about a band here it means everything they make is good. Go buy all their albums, and download "Supercharger" if you have to complete the collection. Also, I forget to mention a decent album they released called "Hellalive". It's a pretty good live album. Peace for now x
