Machine Head (band)

Machine Head
Machine Head live in 2006. From left to right: Phil Demmel, Robb Flynn, and Adam Duce.
Machine Head live in 2006. From left to right: Phil Demmel, Robb Flynn, and Adam Duce.
Background information
Origin Oakland, California
Genre(s) Thrash metal,[1]Groove metal
Years active 1992–present
Label(s) Roadrunner
Associated acts Forbidden, Vio-lence
Website machinehead1.com
Members
Robb Flynn
Adam Duce
Dave McClain
Phil Demmel
Former members
Chris Kontos
Logan Mader
Ahrue Luster
Tony Costanza

Machine Head is an American metal band, formed in 1992 in Oakland, California. Founded by singer and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce, the band has been plagued by lineup changes since its inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn (vocals, guitar), Duce (bass), Phil Demmel (guitar), and Dave McClain (drums). Machine Head is one of the pioneering bands in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.[2][3]

Machine Head was formed by ex-Vio-lence member Robb Flynn. Flynn felt musically unfulfilled and requested to start a side project. When he was told he couldn't, he left the band and formed Machine Head in 1992 with Adam Duce, Logan Mader and Chris Kontos. Though the band's first album, Burn My Eyes, was a big success, Machine Head later had albums that earned the band accusations of "selling out". The band nearly disbanded in 2002 after its label, Roadrunner Records, dropped them from the roster due to poor album sales and controversy. The band resigned with Roadrunner soon after and have released two albums since then. In 2007, the band released The Blackening, which was seen as a return to form and earned Machine Head its first Grammy Award nomination.

Contents

History

Formation and Burn My Eyes (1992–1996)

Machine Head was formed in 1992 in Oakland, California by vocalist/guitarist Robert Flynn and bassist Adam Duce. Flynn had recently parted ways with Vio-lence after a physical fight between the band members and a local gang. He still had a desire to write music and along with Duce recruited guitarist Logan Mader and drummer Tony Costanza to form Machine Head.[4] The band's name was thought of by Flynn because it "sounded cool", despite the popular belief that it came from the Deep Purple album of the same name.[5] The band started jamming in a local warehouse shared with four punk rock bands.[6] Machine Head recorded a demo in a friend's bedroom, funded with $800, made from Duce dealing speed and marijuana.[4][6] A record executive representing Roadrunner Records listened to the demo and signed the band.[4]

Machine Head entered Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California to record its debut album Burn My Eyes.[7] Not long into production, Constanza left the band and was replaced by Chris Kontos. Most of the songs on the album were songs written by Flynn and Duce during the time Flynn was not in a band, about "being pissed off" from his previous struggles in Vio-lence, as well as both of their battles with illegal drugs.[4] Produced by Colin Richardson, the album was released on August 9, 1994. The album shipped nearly 400,000 copies worldwide, becoming Roadrunner Records' best selling debut album.[4] Allmusic reviewer John Franck stated "Burn My Eyes is a bone-shattering exercise in brutality".[8]

Not long after Burn My Eyes's release, Kontos was fired from the band because he was not keeping to touring commitments. Kontos went on to play drums with Testament, and was replaced by Dave McClain. With a new member, Machine Head started touring heavily in support of the album, opening for Slayer. After a few months, the band headlined its own tour, performing in the same venues they opened for Slayer.[9]

The More Things Change... and The Burning Red (1997–2000)

After touring for Burn My Eyes, Machine Head entered the studio to record its second studio album, The More Things Change..., with Richardson producing and mixing for a second time. The album was released on March 25, 1997, and debuted at number 138 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[10] Machine Head toured on the first Ozzfest for the first tour in support of the album.[11] Mader showed up to a practice session late, high on methamphetamine, cursing and insulting the band members; and quit the band later that day. Ahrue Luster replaced him and finished touring.[4][12]

After three years of touring and working with producer Ross Robinson, Machine Head released its third studio album, The Burning Red, on August 10, 1999. Luster influenced the band to add new elements to the band's music, including rapping vocals.[4] This change in musical direction was highly criticized, with critics and fans alike accusing the band of "selling out".[4] McClain stated they weren't trying to sound like popular bands but "wanted to sound different".[4] Rick Anderson of Allmusic stated Machine Head was "sounding a bit looser and less constricted musically than they have in the past".[13] The Burning Red became Machine Head's top selling album for a number of years, and debuted at number 88 on the Billboard 200.[10][14]

Supercharger and Through the Ashes of Empires (2001–2006)

Machine Head finished touring for The Burning Red, and entered a studio with producer Johnny K to record Supercharger. Debuting at number 115 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on October 2, 2001.[10] The album met the same criticism as The Burning Red, especially for the ever-present rapping vocals. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated Supercharger "is likely to disappoint everyone who is expecting the Bay Area quartet to return to the ultra-testosterone-charged sounds of their first two albums".[15]

Machine Head released a single for "Crashing Around You" as well as a music video. The video was released several weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and was banned from MTV for the depictions of falling buildings. Roadrunner Records, expecting to make a fair profit from album promotions, dropped the band's funding, causing Machine Head to leave the label.[16] At the same time the band was leaving Roadrunner, Luster departed from the band for musical differences. Phil Demmel, who played alongside Flynn in Vio-lence, filled in as a temporary guitarist for several concerts in Europe. To complete contract obligations with Roadrunner, Machine Head released its first live album, Hellalive, which included several tracks with Demmel playing guitar.[16] Although the band departed from the American portion of the label, Machine Head re-signed with Roadrunner International.

After Machine Head's European tour, Demmel returned to his family business and the band started writing together as a three-piece, while leaving a position open for Demmel. In March 2003, Demmel joined Machine Head as a full time guitarist and started writing with the band. By June 2003, Machine Head entered a studio with Flynn producing.[17] On October 27, 2003, Machine Head released Through the Ashes of Empires in Europe.

The band was turned down by multiple record labels in the United States, until Roadrunner USA, interested in the new album, offered Machine Head another record contract. Machine Head accepted the offer on the grounds that the band owns 100% of the music. On April 20, 2004, Through the Ashes of Empires was released in the United States with a bonus track for the Americans' long wait for the album's release.[17] The album debuted at number 88 on the Billboard 200.[10] The band released a single for "Imperium", the video for which received heavy rotation on MTV. Ed Rivadavia of Allmusic stated Through the Ashes of Empires "marked a return to form in no uncertain terms".[18]

Machine Head headlined the True Metal stage at the 2005 Wacken Open Air festival to 40,000 fans—the band's largest headlining crowd.[19] The band released a DVD containing a full sold out concert held at the Brixton Academy in December 2004, a documentary, and music videos. The DVD debuted at number 13 on the United States music video charts.[20]

They also played in Dubai for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Festival in 2005.This would be their first show in the Middle East.

The Blackening (2007–present)

Frontman Robb Flynn performing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Machine Head's sixth studio album, titled The Blackening, was released in North America on March 27, 2007. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 53, the highest charting position for the band, with first-week sales of 15,000. [21] It also made the top 20 in several European countries.

The album received positive reviews from music critics, with some labeling it the best metal album of 2007. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Don Kaye awarded the album a 9.5 out of 10, saying The Blackening is "one of the purest, finest, most powerful expressions of modern heavy metal released" and compared it to the 1986 Metallica album Master of Puppets,[22] while Allmusic editor Thom Jurek described the album as "an over the top rage and pummelfest with all the qualities that earned the group its enormous fan base by touring and recording", praising the songs "Beautiful Mourning", "Halo", and "Now I Lay Thee Down".[1] Rolling Stone reviewer Andy Greene, however, responded negatively as he was displeased with the songs running over ten minutes.[23]

Machine Head toured North America with Lamb of God, Trivium and Gojira in early 2007 to promote The Blackening, and opened for Megadeth and Heaven and Hell in April 2007. A European tour saw the band make an appearance at the Download Festival in Donington Park.[24] Shortly after, the band announced a co-headlining tour of Japan, Europe, and Australia titled The Black Crusade from October to December. Other bands on the bill included Trivium, Arch Enemy, DragonForce (Europe only) and Shadows Fall (Europe only).[25] On June 12, 2007, at the Metal Hammer awards, the band won the award for "Best Album", and Flynn won the "Golden God" award.[26] Machine Head also won "Album of the Year" at Kerrang's annual ceremony. The band replaced Bullet For My Valentine supporting Metallica's Wembley Stadium show on Sunday July 8, 2007, as Bullet For My Valentine's vocalist Matt Tuck required a tonsillectomy.[27] Machine Head also toured North America with Hellyeah, Nonpoint and Bury Your Dead in early 2008.[28] Machine Head recently completed a world tour where they hit even Tel Aviv, Israel and Dubai, U.A.E. in March of 2008 [29] (photos available at reference[30]).

In October they will be heading to Australia with Slipknot. [31]The band will be touring Europe with Slipknot and Children of Bodom in November and December.[32] The band have recorded a version of Iron Maiden's classic, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" for a Kerrang! tribute compilation album, entitled "Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden". Also appearing on the CD are label mates, Dream Theater and Trivium.

It was announced on August 10 that Machine Head and Austin, Texas based band The Sword will be opening for Metallica at ten shows in January 2009. In a recent interview conducted with Phil Demmel, he revealed that with Machine Head's upcoming touring commitments, the band would not have chance to write a follow up album until at least 2010, for an expected 2011 release date.[33]

Discography

Main article: Machine Head discography

Members

Current members

Former Members

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jurek, Thom. "Allmusic - The Blackening". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  2. ↑ "'New Wave Of American Heavy Metal' Book Documents Over 600 Bands". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on April 27, 2008.
  3. ↑ SHOEGAZER ROSS. "LAMB OF GOD - Burn The Priest". Metal Express Radio. Retrieved on 2008-05-06.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Wiederorn, Jon (May 2007). "Machine Head: Through the Ashes". Revolver Magazine. 
  5. ↑ Neff, Troy. "Dave McClain interview by Troy Neff". The Entertainment Nexus. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Machine Head – Bio". Machinehead1.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
  7. ↑ Album notes for Burn My Eyes by Machine Head. Roadrunner Records (9016).
  8. ↑ Franck, John. "Burn My Eyes review". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
  9. ↑ "Machine Head interview with Adam Duce". Absolutmetal.com (1997-10-23). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Artist chart history". Billboard charts. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Ozzfest alumini". Ozzfest.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.
  12. ↑ "Former Machine Head guitarist says his "dictatorship" comment was a misquote". Blabbermouth.net (2003-02-12). Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Rick. "The Burning Red overview". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Metal/Hard Rock Album Sales In The US As Reported By SoundScan". Blabbermouth.net (2002-04-30). Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  15. ↑ Krgin, Borivoj. "CD reviews – Machine Head Supercharger". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Interview With Machine Head's Phil Demmel". Metalunderground.com (2007-08-12). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Unrest, Kirby (January 2005). "Machine Head interview". Lambgoat.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  18. ↑ Rivadavia, Ed. "Through the Ashes of Empires overview". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  19. ↑ Flynn, Robb. "Machine Head diary". Machinehead1.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Comprehensive Music Videos – Elegies". Billboard charts. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  21. ↑ "Machine Head: The Blackening enters Italian chart at No. 55". Blabbermouth.net (2007-04-23). Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  22. ↑ Kaye, Don. "Blabbermouth - The Blackening review". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  23. ↑ Greene, Andy (2007-03-21). "The Blackening - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  24. ↑ "Machine Head at UK's Download Festival; video available". Blabbermouth.net (2008-06-09). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  25. ↑ "The Black Crusade – Chaos Reigns". Metal Hammer Magazine. January 2008. 
  26. ↑ "Machine Head: Footage from Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards". Blabbermouth.net (2007-06-27). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  27. ↑ "Machine Head frontman talks about playing with Metallica, hanging out with Lars Ulrich". Blabbermouth.net (2007-10-23). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  28. ↑ "Machine Head drummer to rejoin bandmates tomorrow". Blabbermouth.net (2008-02-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
  29. ↑ "Betzefer/Machine Head 10 March 2008 Jerusalem Post review". metalisrael.com (2008-03-17). Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  30. ↑ "Betzefer/Machine Head 10 March 2008". metalisrael.com (2008-03-10). Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  31. ↑ [V] ::
  32. ↑ Machine Head - Tours
  33. ↑ "Machine Head Will Not Release An Album Until 2011". Metalunderground.com (2008-08-29). Retrieved on 2008-09-28.

External links


Machine Head
Robb Flynn · Adam Duce · Dave McClain · Phil Demmel
Chris Kontos · Logan Mader · Ahrue Luster · Tony Costanza
Studio albums
Burn My Eyes · The More Things Change... · The Burning Red · Supercharger · Through the Ashes of Empires · The Blackening
Live albums
Hellalive
Extended plays
Year of the Dragon Tour Diary: Japan
Videos
Elegies
Songs
"Old" · "Davidian" · "Ten Ton Hammer" · "Take My Scars" · "From This Day" · "Year of the Dragon" · "Silver (Take My Hand)" · "Crashing Around You" · "Imperium" · "Days Turn Blue to Gray" · "Now I Lay Thee Down" · "Aesthetics of Hate" · "Halo"
Related articles
Discography · Vio-lence