Machine Head. Isn’t that the band that released two magnificient metal albums: the blueprint for the nu-metal sound of the 90’s? Machine Head. Isn’t that the band who released two albums to compete with nu-metal bands and lost a large part of their fanbase because of it?

Both true. After releasing four albums, Machine Head reached an intersection. Which way to go now? Should they stick with their last albums and the nu-metal sound? Or should they do their old fans a favour and return to the old school sound?

They’ve done the best: a mix of all four albums. With emphasis on the first two albums. This resulted in a great passional record. With songs that remind me of Burn My Eyes but also of The Burning Red. It’s in the middle of these two records with a few influences from the other two. Listen to “Imperium”. Agressive guitar riffs, almost hardcore type drum rythms and also a clean singing Robb Flynn. Speaking about hardcore. The entire record has a hardcore vibe. And that (as a hardcore fan) isn’t a bad thing. It adds a shitload of agression to their sound which they lost on Supercharger.

Another great song is “Days Turn Blue To Gray”, on which he sings about his fucked up upbringing (one of best songs of the year). It has a beautiful vocal line during the chorus. In “Vim” we hear the old school Machine Head and “In The Presence Of My Enemies” is just one load of agression. All of the songs are songs on itself, but together they are truly a real album. They’ve really worked on something special here. Worth mentioning is that Phil Demmel is the new guitarist. Ahrue Luster decided to make the move to Ill Nino. Phill Demmel is an old friend from Robb Flynn (singer): they played together in Vio-Lence. Maybe that’s why this album sounds so open and so energetic and enthousiastic.

I really wonder what this record will do and how it will sell. The music is there, that’s not a point of discussion. The passion is there as well. But the fans. Did they keep their patience? There is room for Machine Head in the metal scene, but how do the fans think about that? How will the new school fans react? All in all one thing is clear. Machine Head is back. No doubt about it.