765. Machine Head / Burn My Eyes. 1994. 3.5/5

Machine Head came along at a time when grunge was still a leading influence in the music world, and there were some defining changes in the metal genre that came to pass almost directly due to this. Sepultura had also begun to eke its influence out in the world, while Pantera's new sound was gaining an audience. Throw in a little Slayer just to keep things moving, and you have a recipe for the kind of things that must have been ingredients into what became machine Head's debut album, Burn My Eyes.

Whatever you may wish to try and define this album as - groove metal, grunge metal, thrash metal... or perhaps just metal? - this was a pretty impressive debut album for Robb Flynn and the lads. It has a different base than what they have moved into since this album, but I really think it holds up well today, 20 years on. It's strength comes from the strong drumming, a really solid back base that locks in brilliantly with the bass guitar to make that rhythm section the basis of everything on the album. From here, the twin guitars of Flynn and Logan Mader can do their work, not only riffing hard through each song together,  but then allowing each to bust out and do their best in their soloing. Add to this Flynn's hard as nails vocals and uncompromising lyrical content and you have a really good album, one that measures its aggression with its format. This is raw, and it holds its own because of it.
Personally I really like the way the music is written and played on this album. Many think it improves in later releases, but the raw aggression here appeals to my taste. The social commentary of the lyrics is also just terrific. They have weaved the commentary of the LA riots from 1992 into the excellent "Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies" such that it becomes a part of the song. The terrific opening song "Davidian" references the Waco siege. Meanwhile "Death Church" (a slightly controversial song title in some quarters) follows many other institutions by slighting the money-spinning and money-making antics of some modern churches. Other great songs include "The Rage to Overcome", "Blood for Blood" and "I'm Your God Now".

Overall this is a great start. It doesn't suit everyone's tastes, but for those that remember the way the metal world began to bend to bend and shape in the early 1990's, this is an indication of how that can be done well.

Rating:  Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast.  3.5/5