Machine Head made a spectacular return in 2007 with the album ‘The Blackening’.
The record was being mixed here in the UK this time last year, and after a fly in visit, frontman Rob Flynn commented on the excitement surrounding the release, and the initial reaction it had got from the first few who heard it.
"Press is flipping out! Some people said it's the best thing we've ever done, others said it was “so epic, it sounds like The Bible!!!” I was like, “WOW!… wait, is that good?” He assured me, yes. Really stoked though, man, great response from pretty much everyone. Label is LOVING it. Played it for a couple of fans who were lingering around too... “Oh my God's” were uttered, heads were banging and horns were flying!!!"
It’s not often that metal albums such as these mix it with the masses in the higher half of the UK album chart, especially when you consider it’s a bunch of ten minute songs with some extremely uncompromising lyrics, but Machine Head were there, (number 16 on April 1). We’re looking at an extremely uncommercial record, but one that has captured the imagination of thousands in this country alone. Unsurprisingly it featured in many a list of the best rock albums of 2007, R13’s own review described it as “an epic and complex metal album with aggressive but technically sound riffs, impressive pace and excellent production. Recommended”. Read more from Emma Gould
here.
‘The Blackening’ beat My Chemical Romance to pick up the Kerrang Award for best album, they also won at the Metal Hammer Awards. Although the record was well received in the States, the band did find a backlash from the more conservative sections of US society given the lyrical content.
Their European tour for the summer saw them take in Download and
Hellfest in France. Amongst others. At the latter their performance was described as “perfect as usual”. There was a surprise end to that trip around Europe. Having played dates with Metallica on the continent, the withdrawal of Bullet For My Valentine from the Wembley Stadium date saw Machine Head make another stop here in the UK. If we’re honest, there wouldn’t have been too many inside Wembley who were disappointed with the way that all worked out. Due to the length of songs, their forty minute set only featured five tracks, but was mighty from start to finish. Read more
here.
The Black Crusade saw machine Head back once again, touring UK arenas with bands like Trivium, Arch Enemy and Dragonforce. Although live things have been on top form for them, they have had to perform minus regular members at various points. Bass player Adam Duce missed US dates towards the end of the summer due to a broken leg, and guitarist Phil Demmel sat out several dates on the European tour due to the death of his father. He recently rejoined his bandmates for the final show of ‘The Black Crusade’ trek (Friday December 14) in Helsinki. The band were assisted throughout this period by members of the other bands on the bill.
With ‘The Blackening’ still only seven months old, don’t expect Machine head to slow down just yet, more tours are expected in 2008.
Click here to see who else we’ve featured in this series of articles.