Machine Head - The Blackening

The Blackening does not come out until 3/27/07, but I was able to get ahold of a promo copy and after giving it about 20 listens through over the last couple of weeks I decided to add a review to the site. When Through the Ashes of Empires came out a couple of years back it was a hailed as Machine Head's comeback and for the most I would have to agree. My only issue with the album was the it blazed out of the starting gate so strongly with Imperium (definitely one of the best Machine Head songs ever), it was never able to get very close again. With The Blackening they truly are back to Burn My Eyes form. Not every song is masterpiece, but it is the closest they have come since Burn My Eyes. What is truly amazing about the album is that they have expanded the length and complexity of the songs (the opening and closing songs are both over 10 minutes) and by doing so have reinvented themselves. More thrash elements, more dual guitar parts, more solos. Everything has been beefed up and the guitar sound is humongous. If you have been disappointed with Machine Head since Burn My Eyes they have finally made the album to bring you back into the fold.

The truly standout tracks in my opinion are 'Clenching the Fists of Dissent', 'Now I Lay Thee Down', 'Halo' and 'A Farewell to Arms'.

(February 2007)