Release date: 26th January 2018
Machine Head are still pretty solid in comparison to many of the other acts bourne from the 90’s post metal movement. Unfortunately they, like many of their contemporaries, brought nu-metal to the masses. A genre spawned by an Aerosmith vs. Run DMC mash-up turned up to eleven. To this day many people beleive that the nu in nu-metal was a portomanteau for new when it was really a contraction for nuisance. You can’t do that on stage anymore!
Yet Machine Head were contenders for a good time. Their first few albums were as visceral as nu-post-hair-metal-Pantera. With brazen and antagonistic lyrics, deep riffs and killer choruses. Machine Head were like the Goldilocks of the metal scene. Seps were Daddy Bear, Fear Factory Baby Bear, and of course Pantera was the Motherfucker bear. A seat that Machine Head could keep warm during their releases. Of course all this is besides the point as many changes have come and gone in the camp, for better and for worse.
Catharsis their new album is worth a listen if a) you enjoy a diverse collection of songs that bite hard like a crocodile and sting like nettle soup b) aren’t looking for a wedding singer c) haven’t heard any Machine Head before.
There’s an astonishing amount of play on Catharsis. Riffs, rhythms and most importantly rock. Robb Flynn and co. have really been making an effort to get inspired. The guitar tracks are precise, emotive and enjoyable. They’re exactly what the riff doctor would order if he wasn’t being usurped by yolks playing supermarket sweep. The guitar work is exemplarly because it’s simple, it’s coherent and ultimately unafraid to solo.
After the band went full on Nu-Metal we’ve been treated to Robb Flynns softer vocals. There’ve got some whiney choruses on Catharsis but for the most part Flynns’ distinctive vocals are raw and nasty. It’s clear that Flynn has got a tank of bile reserved for singing and that’s not a thing you would want to waste on an offical function.
Moreover you can’t plot Machine Head album releases on a graph and expect something inspirational, that’s nonsensical. On its own Catharsis is a fucking good time. Filled with classic riffs, rolling solos, devilish harmonies and heavy metal breaks. Listening to Catharsis is cathartic and you can’t argue with a blunt presentation.
9/10
