Rediscovering Metal Brutality in Machine Head Albums
April 29th, 2011
Every hardcore heavy metal fan should own all of the Machine Head albums. This is mainly because the band that made them possible is regarded as a pioneer of the new wave sub category. What this musical categorization means is mainly a return to the original roots of heavy metal that feature aggression and brutality. The group’s music first became popular outside of American soil.
The group’s founder is Robb Flynn. The musician was first affiliated with the group Vio-lence but left after he was denied the opportunity to start his own projects. Flynn felt the need to move on because he was not fulfilled with his first band. Flynn touched base with Adam Duce who became another member. Tony Constanza and Logan Mader came in to complete the line up in 1992.
Roadrunner Records became the group’s first label. It wasn’t long after the beginning of work on their first album though that Constanza took off and Chris Kontos was asked to take his place. It was with him that Burn My Eyes in 1994 was completed. The album sold very well in Europe and other locations but did not do as well in the US, perhaps because the metal sound was drowned out by other popular musical genres.
In 1997, the second Machine Head album was introduced under the title The More Things Change…. This was followed by a stint in the Ozzfest which was marred briefly by Mader quitting. The band was able to manage finishing the tour with the help of Ahrue Luster who eventually became a band member.
With Luster around, the group seemed to have adopted a new musical style. This first became public with The Burning Red which was the group’s third project together. The work seemed uncharacteristic because of the inclusion of what seemed to be rapping. As expected, this did not sit well with goth clothing wearing fans and critics alike. The style has been pinned on the band’s desire to appeal more to the greater public. To a certain extent, this is exactly what happened. The change however has been attributed to the band’s bid for more creative freedom.
Supercharged in 2001 still carried some rap influences. This is perhaps one reason why it did not sell as well as the other albums. It is also likely though that this work sold the least copies because the group was dropped by its label. This came after the band released the video for Crashing Around You. This work showed buildings getting destroyed violently. This was not a very timely piece of work to release considering the deep wound inflicted on the nation by the September 11 attacks. The year that followed saw the exit of the Luster and the inclusion of new member Phil Demmel.
The bad video release timing is probably the worst that has happened to the group. Considering what has happened to other bands, this was not too devastating. The band was able to get back on its feet with the 2003 release of Through the Ashes of Empires and the 2007 release of The Blackening. This last one was so well received that it came in at the 53rd spot of the Billboard 200.
Indeed, The Blackening is perhaps the most excellent Machine Head album. After all, it is what gave the group its first Grammy nod as a nominee which served to promote even more Machine Head merch.
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