Album Review: Machine Head - Inside The Machine

25 January 2013 | 4:14 pm | Brendan Crabb

There are numerous chapters still to be written, but this does a fine job of detailing their story up to now.

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British author McIver has a knack of uncovering artists whose stories have not been fully told, co-writing Glenn Hughes' autobiography and Max Cavalera's upcoming life story among them. You can include this biography of US metallers Machine Head, whose 20 years of startling highs and devastating lows has not been documented to this extent.

McIver admits little is known about founder Robb Flynn's pre-teen life. However, interviews about formative years in Bay Area thrashers Vio-Lence and Forbidden, including the entrepreneurial axeman's selling speed to make rent, is invaluable for diehards. His unwavering determination – born from raw, unbridled anger – is readily apparent. The frontman's inner turmoil is referenced, but there's little digging for dirt. Perhaps a Flynn autobiography down the line ought to be mandatory? Comprehensive in scope and strikingly easy to read, creation of albums like classic debut, Burn My Eyes, and 2007's acclaimed The Blackening, are extensively dissected. Refreshingly, McIver doesn't merely toe the line regarding much-maligned nu-metal flirtations; his viewpoints will incite debate. Drugs, booze, sacrifices and Flynn's feuds – Slayer's Kerry King, former bandmates and bassist Adam Duce - and stunning creative revival are all covered.

Machine Head are on the cusp of being one of the world's biggest metal bands. There are numerous chapters still to be written, but this does a fine job of detailing their story up to now.