Album Review: Machine Head - Machine Fucking Head Live

In the digital age (YouTube, iPhones, 'official bootlegs') the live album isn't as vital, or an avenue for a commercial breakthrough ala '70s luminaries KISS and Peter Frampton. Also, considering this may be Machine Head's swansong to their long-time label lends further weight to the argument that such releases are mere contractual obligations.

Regardless, on this subtly titled effort, the US quartet pours copious amounts of blood, sweat and beers into 100 minutes of visceral, life-affirming heavy metal. Considering the absolute tear they've been on lately (three brilliant records in a row, culminating in last year's monumental Unto the Locust), a live document at arguably the height of their powers was a necessity. Also, given their only previous concert album was 2003's middling Hellalive, recorded while the band was in a vastly different (ahem) headspace both musically and otherwise, makes this double LP's arrival, culled from several cities, even more mandatory. Opening with the one-two knockout of I Am Hell and Judas Priest-esque harmonics of Be Still & Know, there's no stopping this train once it hurtles out of the station. Locust's colossal groove and ferocious Imperium sit alongside staples (Davidian, Old); the sonic maelstrom only briefly pausing for introspective Darkness Within. Some of usually charismatic frontman Robb Flynn's banter can be ham-fisted, and incessantly piped in “Machine fucking Head!” crowd chants grate, but the tight players' chemistry, especially Flynn and fellow axeman Phil Demmel is jaw-dropping and rabid response undeniable.

This will only be for fanatical 'Head cases, but shouts from the rooftops that two decades in, these lads are a nigh on unstoppable juggernaut.