Is this one of the heaviest albums ever released ? Rob Flynn, ex-Violence axeman shocked the metal world with this excruciatingly leadweight debut record which crushed the opposition and brought the metal scene back to life. No 'nu-metal' licks here, this is 100% gargantuan heavy rock, pounding the door in, caving the skull, amps up to ten, the drums echoing through the walls, punishing heavyweight rock at its finest. This is a seminal album caused earthquake disruption among the press and the fans who were craving a record to bridge the gap between late '80s thrash such as Slayer, early Sabbath etc. However, don't expect creative wizardry here, this is simple balls to the wall heavy, powerful metal with occasional thrash elements but more of a streetwise attitude, a la Biohazard.
The tracks build pretty slowly but never let up once the grip has been tightened. It's at once furious as it is destructive, Flynn's barbed wire vocals simplistic yells of anarchy and social distress. 'Davidian' , 'Old', 'A Thousand Lies' and 'Im Your God Now' will simply pummel you into submission.
Many classed machine Head as a nu-metal band simply because they emerged during that sickly wave of false hope, but like Fear Factory they created something fresh by simply being honest and brutal. Producer Colin Richardson really upped the anti here as Machine Head certainly filled the void, albeit for a short while, as Slayer dissipated with their watered down brand of metal.
'Burn My Eyes' will always be considered an important metal record because of its sheer heaviness. Whilst many bands could offer something more complex, sinister or original, this record was simply a much needed kick up the arse for metal as it succumbed to the image-based idiocy of Marilyn Manson.
9/10
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