Machine Head: The Blackening album review
Ive been a huge fan of Machine Head every since their killer debut "Burn My Eyes" came out in 1994. Even do this day when i blow someone away in a first person shooter with a shotgun I still think of the lines "Let Freedom Ring With a Shotgun Blast!!!" Even though the second album "The More Things Change" wasn't quite as good it was still great compared to the average group. When Machine Head went through their "sell out" phase with "Burning Red" and "Supercharger" there was still something fresh and unique that still stood out among the other crap at the time. "Through The Ashes of Empires" CD was more of a return to their roots and a solid album itself but it still pales in comparison to their newest masterpiece "The Blackening." This along with Testament's "The Gathering" are probably my two favorite straight up metal albums since 2000. Machine Head has taken what they do best like the slow crunching rhythms and added in more melody, clean parts and some awesome solo's. Once again Flynn's vocals are top notch and some have an extra oomph to them in comparison to recent releases. Here's a brief run down of the songs.
1. Clenching the Fists of Dissent- This song has a little bit of everything the album represents. Once it kicks in the opening rhythm is fast and catchy and about half way through the song it slows down to some of their trademark grooves and a pretty cool solo. After the solo there are some cool gang chants and drum rolls. Toward the last few minutes of this 10 minute song they go back to their heavy slow riffing to end the song.
2. Beautiful Mourning- "Fuck You All" hollers Flynn with the opening riffs. This song is typical Machine Head through and through. Even though it has some cool groove riffs its my least favorite song of the album.
3. Aesthetics of Hate- Awesome opening intro and riff. This song is a little different that what they usually do. It has kind of an old school punk/thrash feel to it. The middle of the song is very different and has an power metal breakdown with an awesome old school solo to boot. The song ends with another crushing slow heavy riff with Flynn hollering "may the hand of God strike them down!"
4. Now I Lay Thee Down- Its the slowest song on the album but one of the best. During the choruses there is some cool dream like bass riffs that complement the lyrics perfectly. About 3 minutes in they get to down to some heavy riffing and then a cool solo and breakdown. The bass guitar is outstanding on this song.
5. Slanderous- Awesome Testament like opening riffs. About half way through some awesome crushing heavy riffs that turn into a cool solo breakdown backed by some old school speed metal type riffs. Very solid song.
6. Halo- No this song is not about Master Chief. Its about ass kicking riffs with some cool harmonics. Its one of the slower songs starting out but then about half way through they get to some hardcore riffs and some monster grooves topped off with some awesome melodic solos. It has a cool note bending "maidenesque" main riff played throughout the song.
7. Wolves- Now you know a metal song called wolves has to be cool. This song has some cool old school power groove riffs. The song also has a few Tourniquet type fast riffs throughout the song. About 3 minutes in they start to groove to a few classic metal type riffs that turns into some cool pinch harmonic grooves. About 5:45 minutes in they start fast riffing thrash metal style topped with a few more great solos. Great song.
8. A Farewell To Arms- another 10 minute epic song that starts off slow then gets grooving about 3 minutes in. Flynn changes from clean vocals to harsh throughout the song. About 6 minutes in the song kicks into high gear with some old school riffs and solos. Probably my second least favorite song on the album.
Overall the album has a much more classic metal sound to it while still keeping the Machine Head groove that they are know for. Highly recommended for metal heads out there that like true metal and not all this nu school metal garbage.