2018 Metal Album Review, But in 2019?? - "Catharsis" by Machine Head

I bid a good day to all you metal head Steemians out there! As promised, this is the dawning of a new age in the every day life of yours truly. I may not always be able to be on here every single day without fail, but I'm sure as hell gonna try! So with that out of the way.... shall we?

So it's no secret that things have been quite haywire for quite some time in the realm of metal music, where sides are being created, and lines are being drawn in the sand as it were.... for we are truly living in a new era of modernity, are we not? Well, while some things are met with an embrace, there are other things that are met with a sour face. Which brings me to the band Machine Head.

It is well known that they are  not necessarily the band they once were, and it comes as no surprise.... whether you love him or hate him, Robb Flynn has been the driving force behind MH since its conception heralding all the way back to their 1994 debut, "Burn My Eyes". In that era of this powerhouse of a band, they were a lovely combination of old school thrash and the then-newer sound that could be found in some now-legendary staple sounds in hardcore and nu-metal.... I mean sure, MH have been known to put out a couple of dud records (1999's "The Burning Red" and 2001's "Supercharger"), but on the whole they have been a massive influence on the metal community, myself included.

Which is precisely why I was so ecstatic to find out they were going to put out yet another record in 2018. It would be somewhat of a "little bit good, little bit bad", but as with most modern records, it's all a game of give and take in most cases. Machine Head is, unfortunately, not immune to that 50/50 risk.

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Which brings us to their ninth studio release, "Catharsis"

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Now, it's obvious that sometimes you just can't teach an old dog new tricks, but that sure as hell isn't going to stop them from trying! With that being said, I personally feel that this record, while not immune to some poor songwriting and lyrical choices, was a pretty solid effort all the way around. Do I find myself blasting through the entire album from start to finish? Goodness, no! Do I still find quite a few tracks on here to be worth buying the whole kit and kaboodle? Hell yes! While they may never be the band they once were, especially since the departure of two longtime members, Phil Demmel (guitars) and Dave McClain (drums), following this last tour they embarked on, it has been made clear by Robb Flynn himself that it may be the end of MH as we all knew them for such a long time, it was NOT the end of MH in general. As it stands now, they seem to have plans of continuing forward, starting with a search for a new guitarist as well as a new drummer. Meanwhile, McClain has rejoined his old band Sacred Reich, while Demmel had recently embarked on some final European tour dates with Slayer for their final tour in place of guitarist Gary Holt (of both Slayer and Exodus) so he could be with his dying father. Demmel has also made it known that he and his and Flynn's old band Vio-Lence would be doing some reunion shows, but without Flynn.

But where does that leave the future of Machine Head? Well, as I've stated previously, Flynn has made it clear that they are not totally dead, but announcements of any further-planned band activity remains to be seen and/or heard.... so who knows? But hey, if Flynn says MH isn't done, then we can likely expect to see and/or hear some movement from their camp soon enough! Now, to the album known as "Catharsis"....

While it may not necessarily be their best effort in their career, it certainly isn't their worst! And it does, in many cases, keep you ondering which direction they're going in next with each passing track. From the straight-forward violent banger of an opening track in "Volatile", to what is possibly their most eyebrow-ruffling SJW-inspired punkish track on the album, entitled "Bastards", they certainly do seem to have a way of keeping the listener guessing. And now, without further ado, my four favorite tracks from the album itself! Please listen, and hopefully enjoy!

Catharsis

Bastards

Behind a Mask

Heavy Lies the Crown

- @damiancraymond