Machine Head: ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN
(Nuclear Blast)
CD | LP | DL
Out now
Machine Head are back with a crushing concept album. Set in the future where the sky is always red, it follows two characters, Ares and Eros but is it any good? Of course it is, it’s bloody massive!
Robb Flynn has some of the best credentials in the metal scene. From Vio-Lence and Forbidden in the early bay area thrash scene to building Machine Head from nothing into a titan of the modern metal landscape.
Machine Head has never been a band to shy away from experimentation, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t (supercharger). However, even on their worst day they are one of the best metal bands that’s ever walked the earth. The worst of their back catalogue remains compelling whilst their best sets the direction for others to follow.
I reviewed 2018’s Catharsis for Louder Than War back in 2018 and rated it a solid 7.5/10. At the time, I said that the songs were great but that the album felt disjointed somehow. The same cannot be said for ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN, which is an altogether different beast.
ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN begins with a 10-minute epic, Slaughter the Martyr. Robb says that this is about one of the two characters in the album, Ares who has just lost the love of his life and is filled with rage.
Second up is Choke On The Ashes Of Your Hate. If you look up thrash-metal in a dictionary, this is where it should point. Crushing riffs, fast and aggressive. This is bound to be a favourite live.
Other standouts on the album are Become the Firestorm, which is up there with the best material the band have ever put out. Kill Thy Enemies, which sounds like a late 80’s thrash track from the bay (and who doesn’t love that!).
Make no mistake, this must be a contender for thrash-album of the year. I’ve seen other reviewers talking about the Blackening II and as tempting as that comparison might be, ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN is something else. Once the sands of time have had their way with it, I think we’ll look back on this as their greatest work. It’s hard to see how they’ll improve on this, it’s a monster.
It’s also worth mentioning that they’re hitting the road in the UK with Amon Amarth from 31st August through to 12th September. If you’re at the Nottingham Arena Gig, I’ll be down the front!
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All words by Neil Johnson. More writing by Neil Johnson can be found at Neil’s archive. Neil is also on Instagram as @jonnokid and is also the co-host of The Monster Shop on Louder Than War Radio (it’s not just indie!).
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