Machine Head - The Blackening

[stealthwise]

Wow, what a great album.

These guys had some missteps during their nu-metal phase (although I liked both The Burning Red and Supercharger), but they really stepped it up in Through the Ashes of Empire and this latest album is just epic.

Great, heavy, complex riffs, intricate song structure, and intense vocals and lyrics. There are traces of Slayer, Metallica, Pantera, In Flames, etc, but it remains distinctly Machine Head, ala their previous album, Burn My Eyes, and The More Things Change. Highly recommended if you love heavy metal.

[TheLazy]

I think the only memorable track is Clenching Fists of Dissent. And Aesthetics of hate really does have mke wondering why people are calling this the new Master of Puppets. Mastodons Blood mountain walks all over this, as does their previous effort Throught the Ashes of Empires.

The other problem is that most of the tracks are too long. I dunno, maybe these guys listened to an Isis album or two, but someone needs to tell them that ultr long tracs only work when ou have somewhere to go,just playing 20 riffs-solo-then extenting a few chords for two mintues doesnt work. I like that they are movinf into the post-metal/post-genre area by blening in arabic styles, coutnry, classical, ect, and that they have lost the verse-chorus structure, but playing shit loads of riffs is useless if they aren't any good. Listen to tools The Pot off of 10,000 Days. Its the same riff for 8 mintes with different aestetics and beats player over and under it. Tha's more progressive thatn this.

The most obvious flaw is this though, Rob Flynn hs spent 15 years telling the world thathe's pissed off, maybe he should pop a few pills and hit a rave, chill and meet a girlfriend. He needs something else to sing about.

Ill give it a 4/10 for the effort, but people really shouldnt make albums because they're record company tell them, they need to have something to say/express.

:)

[stealthwise]

Are you listening to this album as a complete album or track by track, say, on an ipod? Because I like listening to it as a whole, and it kicks complete ass. I often don't pay much attention to what track I'm on, although it's easy enough to distinguish.

I keep hearing the "songs are too long" complaint, but I'm just not getting why, as each one is diverse enough that you never get bored. You could make the same critique of a lot of Zeppelin's stuff, but I prefer the break from traditional structure, even in favour of just jamming in parts.

[DWEarhart]

Definitely one of my favorite albums this year. I can pop it in and listen to it all the way through anytime, anywhere.

I didn't really think they could top "Throug the Ashes...," but DAMN, this one did. I was really worried when "Burning Red" and "Supercharger" came out; so light, and dare I say, commercial, though both of them grew on me, eventually. I loved "The Blackening" from the first time, start to finish, even til now.

[TheLazy]

Are you listening to this album as a complete album or track by track, say, on an ipod? Because I like listening to it as a whole, and it kicks complete ass. I often don't pay much attention to what track I'm on, although it's easy enough to distinguish.

I keep hearing the "songs are too long" complaint, but I'm just not getting why, as each one is diverse enough that you never get bored. You could make the same critique of a lot of Zeppelin's stuff, but I prefer the break from traditional structure, even in favour of just jamming in parts.

It isn't that its the same think, that wouldnt be as bad, its that the end or middle of the songs are a mess because the bridges/outros just dont work. And yes I usually liste to mp3s on a random playlist with other songs, but I have heard it a few times in order, and I still dont think it works. Like I said, theres skill here, they've just set their sights too high, but at least there aiming, compare that wth Metalicas whacky new genre of the month, or slayers same old, same old, bore fest, then these guys are about the only metal legends still making good songs after Iron maiden.

:)

[stealthwise]

It isn't that its the same think, that wouldnt be as bad, its that the end or middle of the songs are a mess because the bridges/outros just dont work. And yes I usually liste to mp3s on a random playlist with other songs, but I have heard it a few times in order, and I still dont think it works. Like I said, theres skill here, they've just set their sights too high, but at least there aiming, compare that wth Metalicas whacky new genre of the month, or slayers same old, same old, bore fest, then these guys are about the only metal legends still making good songs after Iron maiden.

:)

I hear what you're saying, but it doesn't bother me that much. I was a bit surprised when you gave it a 4 out of 10 though, as I think that it's much better than that.

[ghostrider666]

It's a good album. Thats all. I want to like it more, but just cant. Listening to the album it just sort of all blurs together. Nothing really stands out.
I think Flynn tried to make the album too epic, or something.
Sirius Hard Attack is calling it the album of the year. I totally disagree with that. I'll take MH's Supercharger over The Blackening any day.

[stealthwise]

I totally disagree with that. I'll take MH's Supercharger over The Blackening any day.

...Are you from France? :)

[HectorP]

This is my first Machine Head album, and I like it. I don't think it's the "Master of Puppets of this generation" that it was hyped up to be, but it's good modern thrash. Yes, the length of the songs makes me think how it would have been if the songs had been split and structured differently, but at the very least Wolves is a kick-ass song that goes all out (requisite for good thrash, in my opinion).

Now I wonder how this one compares to Burn My Eyes, which seems to be the well-regarded classic for this band.

[wingsofdamnation]

for me i think its one of the best metal albums i have ever listened to. i usually dont like super long tracks so at first a was skepticle but after listening to it i was blown away at how fast and how well done those 10 minutes of each track was. they really pulled it off with this one. machine head has made its way to my second favorite metal band, cause as great as they are, devildriver will always hold #1 for me. speaking of which anyone hear their new song? its called: not all who wander are lost

[stealthwise]

for me i think its one of the best metal albums i have ever listened to. i usually dont like super long tracks so at first a was skepticle but after listening to it i was blown away at how fast and how well done those 10 minutes of each track was. they really pulled it off with this one. machine head has made its way to my second favorite metal band, cause as great as they are, devildriver will always hold #1 for me. speaking of which anyone hear their new song? its called: not all who wander are lost

Actually, I really like the album the more I listen to it, and it might be my favourite of the band, loved even more than Burn My Eyes.

However, that new song you're referring to is from the band Devildriver, not Machine Head. It's from their newest album, as far as I can tell.

[wingsofdamnation]

Actually, I really like the album the more I listen to it, and it might be my favourite of the band, loved even more than Burn My Eyes.

However, that new song you're referring to is from the band Devildriver, not Machine Head. It's from their newest album, as far as I can tell.
you missread my original post. i said that machine head was seconded only by devildriver, and then while on the topic of devildriver i brought up their new song. no biggy.

[DWEarhart]

I thought Devildriver may have lost something when Evan Pitts left, but I still really liked Fury of Our Maker's Hand, and Last Kind Words is pretty cool too. I like it the more I hear it, plus they're wicked live. John Boeklin makes those drums his bitch, and the band is tight. I highly recommend seeing them live.

I got to see'em on the same bill as Strapping Young Lad, and Superjoint Ritual. Nicccccce.

[stealthwise]

you missread my original post. i said that machine head was seconded only by devildriver, and then while on the topic of devildriver i brought up their new song. no biggy.

That I did. Oh well, at least that I learned that there's another Devildriver album out now. Cool.

[wingsofdamnation]

yeah they totally kick serious ass live. i saw them with kataklysm, dimmu borgir, and behemoth a month or so ago. to say the least devildriver and kataklysm OWNED!

[DWEarhart]

Dude, at one point Dez came into the crowd with the mic; he wanted to be the one to start the pit, so we all got going, and all he said was "just don't fuck up my mic." Sweeeeeeet.

I've gotten to see Machine Head three times, twice when Logan was still with them. They're friggin' good live too.

[wingsofdamnation]

Dude, I'm seeing Machine Head and Arch Enemy next saturday 9/22!!! how sic is that!

[DWEarhart]

You better go. Enjoy.

[wingsofdamnation]

just got home from the concert and it was F'in INSANE! Arch Enemy totally kicked ass and Machine Head was great too but they were only up for about 45 minutes. i was very glad that he played aestetics of hate in tribute to dimebag as well as decend the shades of night. anyways im exhausted so im gonna crash

[stealthwise]

just got home from the concert and it was F'in INSANE! Arch Enemy totally kicked ass and Machine Head was great too but they were only up for about 45 minutes. i was very glad that he played aestetics of hate in tribute to dimebag as well as decend the shades of night. anyways im exhausted so im gonna crash

Me = JEALOUS