Through the Ashes of Empires [PA] by Machine Head

Pros: Great riffing, Technical while heavy. Good vocals, drumming.
Cons: Lyrics can be lacking and repetative.Some songs are given more time than they deserve.

15/12/05 Update: I'm planning on doing reviews on other albums by Machine Head. So I felt I should try and keep this one up to date. My opinions on songs such as "in the Precence of my Enemies","Days turn Blue to Gray" and "Descend the shades of ...

Pros: Sound is back to their roots, extra track on US release
Cons: Hmmm.......

With determination, a band can get a record deal. With recognition, a band can gain a following. With realization, a band can make a masterpiece. This is the story of Machine Head. A band who first appeared during the hay day of bands like Pantera, ...

Pros: Generally good songs, none of that "nu-metal" that plagued the previous two records.
Cons: Somewhat dull and boring in spots, the murky production is a little disappointing.

I've actually been holding off on reviewing this album for quite a while. After all, Machine Head released two excellent albums in the 90s with Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change. After that, however, the band apparently hit a roadblock. The Burning ...

Pros: punishing sound, crushing riffs, amazing musicianship, melodic and honest, fantastic production
Cons: at times the lyrics can be typically blunt, but that's not always a bad thing

I had written these guys off after Supercharger. Hell, The More Things Change… was the beginning of their decline (although I did dig it for quite some time). After a blistering and staggering first album, Machine Head seemed to have ...

Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing

Since the downfall of Pantera, there's not really much to look forward to in this genre of music. I mean even Machine Head themselves fell out of their genre (i'm referring to supercharger and the burning red). Not anymore. Machine Head is back and they ...

Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing

I will always say the Burn My Eyes was Machine Head's finest hour. But this comes pretty damn close. The boys are back to their original form. Heavy riffs, great songs and Mr McClain pounds out some great rhythms. This is a top album and is as close to the splendour of Burn My Eyes as you can get. Machine Head - nice to have you back.