Customer Reviews

Burn My Eyes

5 star:		(89)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lyrics. One major thing I look for in good metal are lyrics. One of the things that drew me here, but I'll address that later... Many have called this album a masterpiece. I don't QUITE agree. I don't personally think it's a masterpiece. However, Machine Head's Burn My Eyes IS extremely great. It's a hair or two shy of being a mastepiece in my eyes. That is no small thing. Why do I say so? Let's take a track from the CD and analyze it, shall we? Let's take "Davidian". The song begins with an explosive drum intro, then fills in with a nice, heavy riff. No, the riffs are not the heaviest EVER, like some say. But... when I first that beginning, I was hooked! The song continues on for some time, then speeds up and Rob Flynn starts singing. Yes, singing! I call that singing. Using his voice. And, he does have one set of pipes on him. Only when the music paused and the famous line delivered, did I feel the lyrical power at work here.

"LET FREEDOM RING WITH A SHOTGUN BLAST!!!"

That line is great! Simple and well delivered, it made me listen to the whole album through just in hopes of finding more good tidbits of soul-touching words. I found many such excerpts. Not only that, but the music is still pretty heavy nonetheless, and thrashes and crunches in the proper spots. The double bass drums thunder along, and the solos are nice and sludgy-sounding. Burn My Eyes might not be a masterpiece to me, but I clearly understood why many people thought so. Every song deserves a listen. Find your own favorites. Enjoy the CD. I'm surprised at how recent this is. 1994? Wow...Good lyrics, nice solos, evenly heavy guitar and bass. Fast speed. Burn My Eyes is great. An ALMOST masterpiece. Get it!

With "Burn My Eyes," Machine Head ratcheted up the intensity of early thrash metal to create a monstrous masterpiece of epic proportions. Call this oversimplification if you will, but this album is heavy, heavy, heavy. However, there is far more to it than just heaviness. "Burn My Eyes" is also distinctive, diverse, and intelligent. And did I mention it's heavy?
Right from the beginning, Machine Head make it clear what you, the listener, are in for. Opener "Davidian" is a chugging monster with massive riffs, lots of bass, and precise drumming, and as far as memorable choruses go it's hard to beat Robb Flynn shouting "Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast!" The next two songs follow the same pattern, so it's somewhat of a surprise when the band starts out slow on "None But My Own." But it works, just like everything else of the album. Just listen to track seven, "A Nation on Fire." The verses are pretty slow, but the song builds in intensity through the pre-chorus and and another insanely anthemic chorus (perhaps no album has more memorable refrains than this one). And then, four and a half minutes in, when the song would have every right to end, it takes off on a blindingly fast thrash fest. But whatever speed the band is at, be it fast, slow, or midtempo, it's always suitably caustic and grinding for a thrash album.
Everything I've mentioned above would be at least enough for a four-star rating, but what really sets "Burn My Eyes" apart are the lyrics. Although Machine Head talk about societal problems, in the grand tradition of such thrash pioneers as Metallica and Megadeth, the lyrical content of "Burn My Eyes" is often anything but negative. My personal fave, "A Nation on Fire," is a perfect example of the band's lyrical bent. Despite the fact that it details the decay of American society, the song's real message is that even in the face of social decay, people must find strength within themselves. Lines like "I won't break, it gives me strength," and "I won't go down, stand my ground" give the song an uplifting, redemptive message that is lacking in so much of today's radio-ready complaint rock. Machine Head preach persevering through problems rather than simply whining about them, a fact that gives "Burn My Eyes" its true power.

This is why I listen to heavy music! Intensity, for lack of a better word, this is what the entire album is made up of! Favorite songs, Davidian, old, A Nation on Fire.

I have allready reviewed "Burn My Eyes", but I feel I must review it again. A lot of people consider Machine Head a nu-metal band because of their lackluster (but good for its time) "Burning Red". This album is beyond heavy; Logan Madder's fleet fingered guitar playing is reminiscent of Slayer's Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and his solo on "A Thousand Lies" makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Robb Flynn sings with such intensity, while Chris Kontos speed thrashes through every song, while Adam Duce keeps the low end with his heavy bass licks. The standout tracks are "Davidian", "Old", "A Thousand Lies", and "I'm Your God Now", and if you've only listened to the newer Machine Head albums but never listened to "Burn My Eyes", you will be shocked. Arhue Luster has nothing on Logan Madder, Logan was a big a part of Machine Head as Robb Flynn is, and the band sorely lacks him today. All in all, "Burn My Eyes" is one of, if not the, finest metal debut of all time. This was how real heavy metal was done.

This has gotta be one of the heaviest albums I have ever heard in my life. Robb Flynn and Logan Mader serve up some of the crunchiest, heaviest, and coolest riffs I have ever heard. The drumming by Chris Kontos(only Machine Head album he was on) is ear piercing to say the least. Robb Flynn also has one of the best voices of any metal singer today. My favorite songs would have to be Davidian, Old, A Thousand Lies, None But My Own, I'm Your God Now, and Block. If you a metal fan then this is a must have.

To review this album, is like reviewing the Bible of metal albums. The album begins with an insane drum fill from the hands of Chris Kontos, and crashes in soon after with the rest of the band: Davidian has begun. This song alone, has to convince any listener, that what Machine Head is/was about, is power. This album, in my mind, and I'm sure I'm not alone when saying this, is one of, if not the single best examples of metal today. Robb Flynn's vocals are unprecedented. Not only can he growl with the best of them, but he proves that he can truly sing (I'm Your God Now, Nation on Fire, . . .). The Logan/Robb guitar work is brilliant. They combine their efforts in some awesome solos, and along with drummer Chris Kontos and bassist Adam Duce drive this album from strength to strength. Though I have to point out, that if you happen to be a drummer, and listening to this album, you will be amazed. Chris Kontos is brilliant. If you don't believe me, then get this album just to hear him alone, I guarantee you that you will thank me afterwards. But if you listen to the follow up albums you will be soarly dissapointed by the drums, this is because Chris only played on Burn My Eyes. Though I have to admit that the drumming on The More Things Change (1997), is far better than the drums on 1999's The Burning Red, which marked a visible change in MH's musical direction, and style. It should also be noted that this album was previously the biggest selling debut by any band on the Roadrunner label, although that achievement has since been surpassed by the 9-man army more commonly known as Slipknot. So, I guess what I'm trying to get across to you, is that this album is unbelievable. Vivid lyrics. Powerful guitars. Insanity on drums. This album, is one of those that will stand the test of time with the likes of Metallica's Master of Puppets. I only wish Machine Head would go back to their roots and write some more music in the same vein as this monster, but I suppose you can't have everything. So I highly recommend this album. If you have never heard the Head before, and you want to get some of their material, this is the way to go. I promise you. 11 tracks. 11 tracks that will forever change your sense of musical appreciation, and your perception of just what metal should be.

I have been a pretty big fan of heavy metal for a while, and I had never been much of a fan of classic style metal, thriving more on stuff akin to Korn or The Deftones. When I heard Machine Head fit more of an old metal style, I was a tad disheartened but I decided to give them a shot anyway. I am so glad I decided to get this cd, because it is truly an album of greatness. There is nothing I would change here; if ever there was a perfect cd, this could very well be it.

The album kicks off with Davidian, which really shook the windows when I played it. This has become one of my fave songs from this band, as the riffs amaze me everytime. The cd moves on through other classics, such as Old, Thousand Lies, Nation on Fire and Block. It even contains a really deep and dark ballad, I Am Your God Now. The music is very powerful, and changed my whole perspective on what I thought metal was. Robbs vocals are very passionate and moving, and hes also a damn good guitarist. Together with Logan Mader, they create a punishing sonic wall of heaviness. The rythm section is amazing as well, fueled by Duce's sheer ability on the bass and Konto's ferocious drumming. Its a shame Kontos and Mader would leave, as it is that Machine Head released The Burning Red. As good as that cd is, it can never equal the power herein or on the sophomore cd, The More Things Change.

Thanks to finding this band, I found true metal. If you dig this, give Pantera, Slayer, and older day Metallica a spin. Peace.

I've owned this album since it's release in 93, listened to it 1000s of times and to this day, every time I hear it I feel like throwin a chair through a window, ripping my steering wheel right off, or gettin in a pit. Great flow from 1 song to the next - Never realized how much of a difference that can make. Just when you think this album cant get heavier or more intense, the next song blows you away. 'I'm Your God Now', 'Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies', 'Block' - 3 of the greatest songs ever. First time you hear these, I'd suggest bein in a padded room, cause whoever is next to you is gettin an elbow to the face! They should have quit after this album or changed names cause it was impossible to improve or come out with another that even comes close. Dont let newer Machine Head albums influence your decision to purchase this one. I guarantee it will blow you away... Only one other album had a similar effect on me and is still every bit as intense as the day it was released, but again, was so good that it ruined all their following albums - Grip Inc. - Power Of Inner Strength. Pick it up!

This album is a cathartic, dynamic and aggressive masterpiece, which especially works when you are extremely pissed about... well, life in general.

After seeing at least 60 reviews done on this album, I found it to be a daunting task to attempt to say something great about this band and especially this album that hasn't already been said by all the other fanatical followers of this phenomenal aggro-thrash band who has helped pave the way for other great, newer acts such as Pissing Razors, Skinlab and many other Bay area bands. It cannot be denied that this album is one of the top debut metal albums of all time, and that nothing like it will ever be produced by Machine Head again. But rather than go on and on about just how great these guys are and how influential this album has been for so many people, I decided to do something a bit different - give a couple recommendations for people who really love this band and are looking for other bands with a similar sound and/or feel.

Machine Head, especially on this album, helped to trailblaze what could possibly by considered a new sub-genre or pseudo-genre in the metal scene: aggro-thrash. This kind of metal is defined by its particularly aggressive style, and its penchant to lighten up a little on the speed of the songs in order to simply make the songs heavier by adding crunchier guitar riffs, baselines, and thundering drums with a bigger emphasis on song quality and style rather than breakneck speeds. Don't get me wrong, though, because bands in this style still know how to tear it up like no other when it comes to making lightning fast songs. However, these bands like Machine Head normally truly shine in works where speed is not the essence of the song(s). If you're looking for something along the lines of this Machine Head album, 'Burn My Eyes,' but have not been successful in finding music in a similar vein, then I sincerely suggest checking out the following four albums: 1) 'Roots' by Sepultura, 2) 'Disembody: The New Flesh' by Skinlab, 3) 'Fields of Disbelief' by Pissing Razors, and 4) 'The Twisted Rule The Wicked' by Face Down.

The album 'Roots' by Sepultura is in a similar vein because, despite their history as incredible speed metal musicians, Max and Co. decided to slow things down a bit on this album and throw in some more tribal influences creating a truly unique, scorching, memorable album. 'Disembody: The New Flesh' is, in my humble opinion, the best piece of work produced so far by Skinlab. It is full of extremely aggressive music all around, with a variety of tempos and vocal styles (ranging from screaming to more of a somber, hoarse kind of talking). Pissing Razors is an unbelievable aggro-thrash band, with a much more raw sound than the likes of Machine Head. They usually tour with bands like Pro-Pain, but they're very close to Machine Head's sound. Their album 'Fields of Disbelief' is considered their masterpiece due to its diversity and all around brutal intensity. However, one of my personal all time favorite albums that I consider to almost top this debut by Machine Head would have to be Face Down's 'The Twisted Rule The Wicked.' From the first track to the last track you're bombarded by just utterly fantastic musicianship, and the mosh pit possibilities created by this album by Face Down are simply beyond words.

If you're a fan of Machine Head, ESPECIALLY Machine Head's first two albums, then I highly suggest checking out the bands and albums mentioned above and at a very minimum giving them a brief listen so you can see for yourself how great they are (Sepultura, Skinlab, Pissing Razors, and Face Down), but above all those bands I very, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND checking out Face Down's album 'The Twisted Rule The Wicked' after you get your hands on Machine Head's amazing debut 'Burn My Eyes.' You will not be disappointed. It's very hard to find, and even ...has it listed as "Limited Availability." May the Aggro-Thrash live on!