Customer Reviews

Through the Ashes of Empires

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In 1994, Machine Head made 'Burn My Eyes,' a great (and very original)
heavy metal album. But from about that year until now, things went downhill
for the band. They still made albums, but almost no one was interested in
them. Starting with 'Burning Red,' an album that essentially put a dividing
line between fans, the group became nu-metal (or if not nu-metal, than
something very close to it) and also came close to copping other bands,
like Tool. M.H. risked being one of those bands that put out a strong debut
album, then didn't release anything else worthwhile for the rest of their
career.

2004, however, is a new year, and a new album ('Through the Ashes of the
Empires') that might be the best album of their career. If it's not, then
it is at least, hands down, the most inspired, brutal, and all around
strongest Machine Head album in ten years. Some accuse them of jumping off the sinking nu-metal ship and onto the popular New Wave of American Heavy Metal. That is probably true, but, since the new sound is so awesome, I
hardly care. Plus, maybe it wasn't a desperate attempt to stay relevant--maybe Machine Head just got a kick in the butt and decided to go
back to their roots.

'Through the Ashes of the Empires' is sort of like a cross between new
Fear Factory and old school Sepultura, but the new album doesn't sound like every other
metal C.D. that is popular right now. There are no typical NWoAHM riffs
here, and no acoustic interludes. To add diversity, many of these songs
start differently, and some of them are a completely different speed than
others. Plus, singer Robert Flynn sometimes lowers his voice and even
croons.

Highlights include:

'Imperium' starts out lightly, with one guitarist playing slow, simple
strings in each headphone. After hearing the opening, the listener wonders
what kind of album they're in for...but all that changes around the
40-second mark, when the power chords make a booming entrance. On top of
that, the drummer (Dave McClain) sounds like he's trying to crack his snare
drum. The guitars speed up (with the drums hitting at the same time) and
the vocals begin around a minute and forty seconds into the song. Part of
this song is cleanly sung, part of it is yelled, and there's a really cool
part during a pause when you can hear Rob breathing in. Machine gun bass
drums end this song.
'Bite the Bullet' has a small smattering of drums at the beginning, then
Rob snarls like a demon and the guitars turn to heavy, rhythmic riffing.
'Left Unfinished' begins with noise from what sounds like a baby's toy or
crib. This abruptly ends, however, when Rob belts out like he's been
punched in the stomach ('Ew!') Then he launches into a tirade against his
mother and father (he was put up for adoption by his real parents). These
lyrics are very personal, heartfelt, and show that he's both pissed off and
hurt. At one point, he yells 'I'll never forget...parents that brought me
this pain.'
'Elegy' has a screeching intro (which sounds like pick slides), then the
guitars turn to heavy chugging. Rob almost croons again at the beginning
(and during the middle, which is soft). After the mid-section, the next
verse builds and erupts with a wall of metal.
'In the Presence of my Enemies' opens with slow, pounding drums. The
guitars on this song lurch so smoothly that they almost groove, and the
vocals are almost whispered, at first. A good, ten second guitar solo is
included, and near the song's end, the vocals become a capella (even though
Rob is barking as furiously as ever).
'Vim' has another drum intro, but this one is fast, a bit longer, and it
almost sounds like a drum machine. But it's when the guitars begin that I
know this might be the best song on the album. This whole song is very
fast, with a running beat, deft drumming and blinding guitars. After the
middle (which features guitar work that's even faster than usual), there's
a speedy, two part solo that keeps up with the pace of the song. Near the
end, the listener can really tell how crazy the drum work was during this
song.
'Descend the Shades of Night' is partially acoustic (both the intro and
outro is), with more proper singing.

Megadeth are another band that experimented with and commercialized their
sound. And, just as Megadeth did in 2004, Machine Head made a triumphant
return with a killer C.D. But where do they go from here? Have they come
full circle, and reached the pinnacle of their career?

I believe both bands are at the top of their game, and have brought their
careers full circle, but I also believe that they still have plenty of good
material left in them. Granted, this album raises the bar high, but I think
if Machine Head keep the sound they have now, and aim their sights high,
they will succeed in making another great album.

But, even if they don't ever make another C.D. of this quality, that
doesn't mean that you can't enjoy 'Through the Ashes of the Empires.' The
bottom line is this is great metal and I highly recommend it.

I guess jumping on one bandwagon gives license to jump on another, or maybe Robb Flynn has finally pulled his head out of his butt. Seeing how the rap-rock thing has died out (thank god) and a heavy trend is now in tow, Machine Head more or less return to form with Through the Ashes of Empires. Opening track "Imperium" is the bludgening assault that is reminiscent of their classic debut "Burn My Eyes", with Robb's voice sounding the best it has in the past few years and the best guitar work (from new guitarist Phil Demmel) since Logan Madder was on board. Other standout tracks include "Bite the Bullet", "In the Presence of My Enemies", and the closing "Descend the Shades of Night" are solid and about ten times better than almost anything from "Supercharger". Yes it's heavier than their past two albums, but I wouldn't exactly call "Through the Ashes of Empires" a return to form for Machine Head. Hopefully this is just a taste of things to come for the band, and Robb has finally decided not to follow any more bandwagons.

This is classic Machine Head - heavy and dark thrash metal! This album could easily be the followup to 'The More Things Change' and it is very similar in sound, style, and attitude. I am very happy that Machine Head decided to return to their roots after their last two disappointing albums. My favorite tracks are 'Imperium', which is classic Machine Head, and 'Elegy', which is a dark and brooding tune.

The album deserves 4 stars but I gave it 5 because I am so glad that Machine Head returned to their original sound and song-writing style. Great album, pick it up right away!

I liked this album on the first listen, the first 3 tracks blew me away, but it took me a while to get into the rest, but I find that always happens with really good CDs.

The musicianship, songwriting and lyrics on this album are simply top notch. This is what professional musicians should be making, real music!

From the epic opener 'Imperium' all the way through to 'Descend the Shades of Night' Machinehead show you how to make crushing, melodic, inspirational metal!

These guys absolutely rocked me live (my ears were ringing for 3 days!)

Get this CD, you will not regret it!

Note: If you can get the special edition with the bonus track 'Seasons Wither' on it, then do so - that track alone is worth the price of a CD!

More than anything, the main reason I enjoy this album is because of the powerful messages in each of the songs: "don't give in, don't give up", "I will fight for those I love, I will fight for those I care" are just a few of the awesome lines you will discover. I just cannot get enough of it. I listen to this c.d. every time I have a bad day for strength, or on normal days just for inspiration. No other metal album I own can do that for me.

Besides the powerful song writing, this album is heavy, really heavy. Simply put, the kind of heaviness that makes you clench your fist, grit your teeth, and nod your head slowly, kind of heaviness. The sonic guitar solo's on songs like "Vim" and "Seasons Whither" are incredible. The drumming in every song is so precise and distinctive, you can hear spaces between drum beats, which adds to the heavy sound I mentioned earlier.

Although I do not own any other Machine Head albums, I can assure you that negative comparisons with their previous albums ultimately cannot take away from the excellence of Through the Ashes of Empires, one of the mightiest metal albums ever created by a group of artists, music and lyrics.

As any true Machine Head fan knows, since the release of the epic BURN MY EYES, the press and some fans have been less than kind of the bands ever changing sound, going so far as to even cry sell out when they released the misunderstood BURNING RED, one would assume this is due in part to Ross Robinsons name being on the production credits. Obviously these people have never experienced the 'Head live, or they would have seen the folly of their ways after being savagly and brutally assaulted by the pure power of every song live. But, even after a beating like that, theres bound to still be naysayers...well, TTAOE is the bands response to those non belivers.
Originally released overseas in 2003, TTAOE made such a commotion and had metal fans salivating so bad that Roadrunner Records US had no choice but to pick the band back up and release the album stateside,with a bonus track NOT found on any of the expensive UK or Japanese versions.
The album combines all the best elements of their back catalog. The brutally raw metal attack of BURN MY EYES, the groove and 'bounce' of, well, everything they do!, BURNING RED and the maturity that comes with time and experience, and lets not forget the pure, unadulterated rage of a band that broke barriers in the mid 90's and still never got the total respect they rightly deserved!
Stand out tracks would have to be IMPERIUM, a true metal classic in the vein of Davidian, the onslought of BITE THE BULLET with its frantic whispered lines and shouted (growled?) chorus and the epic finality of album closer DESCEND THE SHADES OF NIGHT. It must be heard to be belived! And lets not forget the bonus US track that was actually put into the track listing and not tagged on the end, SEASONS WITHER. Amazing.
In short? Just pick this f***er up! What with the NWOAHM blistering our ears, Machine Head is truely one of its origionaters and demand your attention!
True fans though, should pick up the 2 disc version so they can add the bonus demos to their collection. As an extra bonus, it even has the video for IMPERIUM as an enhanced element!

I came onboard the MH boat by "The Burning Red", although it was a good album, I never really "latched" on. Then came this. This album is by far one of the best metal (not NU-metal) albums to bless my ears with its beautiful sounds. This album has made MH my favorite band, hands down. Pure, raw, and addictive, this album will live in metal infamy. To all those claiming this is "Nu-metal", you have no appreciation for REAL music. This is a masterpiece, and I must admit that this album has graced my life with its presence. Because of this album, I now have a much higher appreciation for all of the other MH albums. This band is the Beethoven of metal. So, please, do youself a favor and buy it, you will not regret it.

I expected much more from this CD based on the reviews I read before I got it from overseas. If MH wouldn't have released The Burning Red and Supercharger(and I wish they wouldn't have), this would have been a logical progression with the new line-up. I expected a little more from the songs since Demmel and Flynn are back together. The songs are well-written and show the growth of the band although they come across as trying to be little 'epics'. I think Flynn's attempts at melodic vocals are admirable but he sounds better when he barks his lyrics. He conveys alot more emotion that way. Overall, this is a well done CD, it just doesn't have the unique MH sound that Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change have, I hear too many influences and sounds of other bands for it to be a favorite of mine. If you're just getting into MH,this is a good primer. Just make sure you get their first 2 CDs as well.

A barrage of guitar and drum tones and brutal riffs not seen since their 1994 debut "Burn My Eyes". I've remained loyal to these guys since then and enjoyed parts of the albums in between, but this one was a pleasant surprise, starting off loud and continuing through a range of tone and emotion that shows how they have matured as musicians.

Essential moments:
4:39 on track 1, where an already crushing song gets a second wind with an amazing finish.
2:55 on track 2, defiance and aggressive riffing that demand to be played at the highest volume possible. Only another few bars of the closing riff beating on my brain could have made this one better.
Track 3 is a blistering song with an awesome chorus proving there is always room for harmony vocals to flesh things out more.
Track 8 features hardcore riffage and great vocal tone, especially when Rob sings "in grace you'll be no more".

Check this album out if you haven't already!

This is definitely the best MH album since Burn My Eyes. This is just as good, if not better. I hope anyone reading this got the chance to catch the States Turn Blue to Gray Tour with Devildriver (I didn't go because there wasn't a stop nearby, oh well). Every song on this album is perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. Some of the songs are driven by anger and agression, others by emotions beyond the usual metal scope. I never gave this album a listen after hearing The Burning Red, because I figured no one could come back from that. Machine Head has definitely proven me wrong.


Devildriver's new album The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand hits stores June 28th, I already have all the songs, and believe me when I say this is going to be Album of the Year.