Machine Head

I have been a fan of Machine heads for many years now, since I was about 14 when I first heard of them I have loved pretty much every single song they have ever released, every single video released, every single album released. I think that they are definitely one of my most favourite bands because I never seem to get tired of them.

I can go out and buy CDs from other bands, but eventually I get fed up and I always seem to revert back to Machine head when that happens. I think their best album was supercharger, I listen to that one the most I never get tired of it, and this album I think comes with the most live tracks too.

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THE BAND
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Robb Flynn - lead Vocals and guitar
Phil Demmel - lead guitars
Dave Mcclain- Drums
Adam Duce - Bass and backing vocals.

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MY EXPERIENCE
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Having seen Machine Head twice I can safely advise you that they are definitely worth the watch. The first time I saw them was at Download festival 2004. When they played there they were amazing and the festival setting really does their music justice. Sometimes you here a band and although you love them and all their songs you appreciate that live gigs aren't as good in comparison. For example, I found HIM quite unsatisfying at Download 2005, and although I am a fan of HIM I don't think id ever pay to see them live again because it's just something I don't think they are good at.
That's not the case with Machine Head, they have that special something that makes their concerts worth the watch, everybody goes to gigs knowing it won't sound identical to the CD but in all honesty Machine head don't sound much different. That's when you know a band is a good band, when they can hold their own live.
Unfortunately Machine head only had a 45 minute slot at Download 2004 and you didn't really get to hear quite as many songs as you would like, but it was still well worth it.

The second time was absolutely amazing! They were supported by Caliban and God forbid, two bands who also really did rock, and then Machine head opened with 'Days turn blue to grey'. I was in the centre of the moshpit and everybody went absolutely mental. They had a good couple of hour set which meant all the best songs got played plus many others.

They did a brilliant cover of Metallica's 'for whom the bell tolls' and of Pantera's 'walk'. They did this just as everybody thought it was over. They Machine head gig ended or so everybody thought, Machine head left the stage and just as people were deciding to leave the lights came back on and Machine head came out with some classing songs with their own little Machine Head twist. I will never forget this gig as long as I live.

Just how good are machine head? Well put it this way, part way through the gig I had to leave the pit and stand by the side for awhile I was getting crushed. While I was stood at the side I actually met the lead singer from God forbid and, after he'd laughed at me in my ridiculous attempt to see over the huge crowd that filled the arena, he was stood in ore of them. You could see the admiration on his face, now God forbid themselves are a great band but they don't have the support and publicity that Machine Head have.
Even those doing well for themselves have a great amount of admiration for them. Just think of how many bands aspire to be them and fail.

What really got me about this gig was Robb Flynn, he was brilliant he really got the audience involved in the whole concert and played on what the crowd wanted. You tend to find a lot of bands think that a gig is all about just playing the music and occasionally swearing at the audience. (If you ever watch Killswitch engage play that's all you get from them, there is only a certain amount of abuse you take before you feel like it isn't a joke anymore). Of course he swore, try and find a person on the planet that doesn't these days, I hear children use swear words as their first words around here. But what Robb didn't do is abuse the audience, he swore, but not at us, unlike some bands. I go back to the killswitch engage gig..... They didn't just insult you with various names and phrases, they also came out with comments about your parents, relatives, friends, infact everybody, where's the need, people don't pay to see that do they?
With Machine Head you feel like they deserve the respect not that they demand it, and that I think is very important for a worthwhile gig.

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THE DVD
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"Elegies" is the Machine Head DVD released late last year. I now own this DVD and I can safely say that it is quality material. For a start it actually shows the Manchester gig which I was at, I was astounded, plus Robb Flynn personally said that Scots and Mancs were the craziest fans he'd ever seen.
(If you have the DVD go to the part about 'circle pits')
You get a tonne of stuff on this DVD
The main content of course if one of their live sets.
Then on the extras you have 4 music videos, interviews, behind the scenes, history of the circle pit all sorts of stuff like this. It truly is amazing.
I certainly learned a thing or two from it that's for sure. For a start I never knew how long circle pits had been going for or that Manchester fans always created the biggest ones.
For those of you who don't know a circle pit is where the crowd run around in a circle and no doubt run right into each other, its crazy but it doesn't half give you a buzz, Machine head always encourage fans to make them and they always do.
(You think that's bad you should see what Caliban ask you to do! Its one step away from going to war!)

You can buy CD's from £5 to £15. You can get the DVD from between £10 and £20 and you can get both online or in most music stores.

Ticket prices vary I got mines for just less than £20 which to me is a bargain considering it was one of the most memorable bands I have ever seen, and having been to 2 festivals I have seen a lot of bands.

I think I've covered my bases here.

OVERVIEWGOOD

• Machine Head fans never get tired of them (well rarely)
• Well known successful band, good stats
• Variety of albums to chose from and easy to find
• The DVD means you can see what they are like yourself before you go and see them, and you can learn about them and about gigs in general
• The gigs are always memorable; they make it a worthwhile experience
• Unlike other bands they don't insult your family!
• Your always involved
• Prices for their albums and gigs are fair you can enjoy the experience for less.
• Most Rock and metal fans are bound to enjoy them and possible other people too, I have friends who like rap who enjoy their music.

BAD

• If you are easily offended then maybe this genre of music isn't for you, you are very unlikely to find a band that doesn't say something slightly offensive, like I said before they do swear but never to the point were you feel they have gone too far
• The first albums are limited for songs
• They haven't set up a tour diary in the U.K and I'm not sure they will this year.
• If your one of those that are into happy hardcore or R n B the chances are you wont like it.
• This isn't music that everybody appreciates so I can't say that everybody will find something they like about it.