Machine Head offers up a solid new record with UNATØNED (Nuclear Blast Records) as they explore the crossroads where thrash metal and sentimental lyrics meet.
The riffs are brutal, the tasteful use of electronics is sparing, and the vocals are as angry as they are uplifting. It brings together all of the things I loved about Machine Head twenty years ago with a sleek, modern production style that is worthy of acclaim.
UNATØNED opens with “Landscape of Thorns,” which is a 32-second intro track where the focal point is footsteps over foliage. A guitar rises in the mix until it cuts off and transitions to the first song, “Atomic Revelations,” which subverts expectations as the guitar drops and a light keyboard part opens the song before the metal assault begins.
“Outsider” has elements of pop music, as a four-on-the-floor beat carries the song until we get to a part where the vocals cut through with: “Let the new era begin!” This one is meant to get a crowd moving before coming back to that sleek pop-production in the chorus.
“Not Long for This World” and “These Scars Won’t Define Us” are rabid tracks that remind me of Machine Head’s 2001 record, Super Charger. Lyrics here are more uplifting than most metal, which brings a kind of energy I find lacking in other artists of the genre. I love the themes of overcoming the odds, and that’s what Machine Head delivers here.
“Dustmaker” is another example of tasteful electronics. This intermission track reminds me of a take on their 1999 song, “The Burning Red.” The spoken word of a woman has a ‘voicemail over music’ feel to it that compliments the soundscape.
“Bonescraper” is a return to ‘dance-tempo-metal.’ It’s hard hitting and fun. Lyrics like, “This house of bone is crumbling” reflects on how temporary everything is. This one is sure to get the crowd moving at live shows.
“Addicted to Pain” touches on the cycle of hurting yourself at the altar of someone you love. It’s a ‘bad relationship’ song with a guitar solo that is fantastic as it cuts through the mix.
“Bleeding Me Dry” opens with that sparing use of electronics. The atmosphere of the verses are chilling, and when juxtaposed with the harsh metal of the chorus, it’s a perfect blend of those two elements.
The record concludes with “Scorn,” which utilizes electronics more than anywhere else on the record. The guitars, bass, and drums come in at about the halfway point, a climax for where the song was heading.
Pre-Order Album
https://machinehead.bfan.link/unatoned
Tracklist
1. LANDSCAPE ØF THØRNS
2. ATØMIC REVELATIØNS
3. UNBØUND
4. ØUTSIDER
5. NØT LØNG FØR THIS WØRLD
6. THESE SCARS WØN'T DEFINE US
7. DUSTMAKER
8. BØNESCRAPER
9. ADDICTED TØ PAIN
10. BLEEDING ME DRY
11. SHARDS ØF SHATTERED DREAMS
12. SCØRN
Tour Dates
https://www.machinehead1.com/pages/tour
Machine Head is:
Robb Flynn | Vocals & Guitars
Jared MacEachern | Bass & Vocals
Reece Scruggs | Guitar
Matt Alston | Drums
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