Spring Break
Machine Head cranks up intensity with 'The Blackening'
Brandon Weiss
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Machine Head has been around for a long time, but with the release of their new album, The Blackening, the band strives toward putting forth a degree of intensity that they have never exhibited to date. The Blackening is raw and heavy, and reflects on obvious influences such as Pantera and thrash. However, throughout the album, the band never loses a sense of melody. Guitarist Phil Demmel says the album is not a concept album, although it is a "socially conscious album, more so than the previous records."
Phil adds, "There's a couple of political songs on [the record]. We're not a political band by any means, but that's the only common thread."
The Blackening exhibits a change in the musicality of the band. While their previous material included a sense of nu-metal on occasion, their new album is more focused on aggression, and has a greater sense of thrash. Demmel attributes the change in sound to the fact that the band has changed since the last record.
"We're a different band," Demmel says. "Originally, most of the last record - most of the main parts - was pretty much written when I joined … except for two or three songs. If you listen to those songs, you see what I contributed to, and the direction that we're going here. I follow Dave [McClain, guitarist] a little bit longer; [the songs are] a lot more dynamic in structure. You'll be introduced to some more intricate riffing; we kind of just moved toward large ends and stuff like that."
Additionally, Machine Head did something unique on this record. The band had fans come in and record a backup vocal part for the album.
"It was cool to have them be a part of what we were doing," Demmel says. "That part of the song with chanting really needed key vocals. What better group of people than the people who are going out and supporting you, and buying the album, to give that opportunity to be a part of it?"
According to Demmel, the fact that the band's new album has already managed to make its way all over the Internet doesn't particularly bother him.
Phil adds, "There's a couple of political songs on [the record]. We're not a political band by any means, but that's the only common thread."
The Blackening exhibits a change in the musicality of the band. While their previous material included a sense of nu-metal on occasion, their new album is more focused on aggression, and has a greater sense of thrash. Demmel attributes the change in sound to the fact that the band has changed since the last record.
"We're a different band," Demmel says. "Originally, most of the last record - most of the main parts - was pretty much written when I joined … except for two or three songs. If you listen to those songs, you see what I contributed to, and the direction that we're going here. I follow Dave [McClain, guitarist] a little bit longer; [the songs are] a lot more dynamic in structure. You'll be introduced to some more intricate riffing; we kind of just moved toward large ends and stuff like that."
Additionally, Machine Head did something unique on this record. The band had fans come in and record a backup vocal part for the album.
"It was cool to have them be a part of what we were doing," Demmel says. "That part of the song with chanting really needed key vocals. What better group of people than the people who are going out and supporting you, and buying the album, to give that opportunity to be a part of it?"
According to Demmel, the fact that the band's new album has already managed to make its way all over the Internet doesn't particularly bother him.
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