Machine Head can easily be regarded as one of the top three modern metal bands and quite rightfully, if I must say so. It is also a unique case as it happens to be an outfit that unites both the young generation of heavy metal with the more traditional and why not “conservative” elder fans. Machine Head’s uplifting –commercially and artistically- after the brilliant “The Blackening”, its unanimous recognition in the music Press and the following huge tour with Metallica helped the band build a reputation and a steady fan base thus regularly earning more and more followers! So, it was only natural that their new effort –with the expected 4-year gap- was anxiously anticipated.
First of all, I must congratulate the guys on the fact that they didn’t attempt to come up with a “Blackening Part II”…they could have easily done so and they wouldn’t be neither the first nor the last to do it, right? I won’t go into comparisons with their early recordings because Machine Head simply don’t have much in common with those days. “Unto The Locust” includes 7 lengthy compositions that bear the characteristic of having inspired, heavy riffs and a constant alteration of clear, graspy and brutal vocals. Robb Flynn might not be the greatest singer of all time but he does a hell of a job and he is an outstanding frontman.
The opening “I Am Hell” is one of the finest and most complete tunes that Machine Head has ever recorded and all in all the Americans accomplish to deliver a great record that despite its complexity doesn’t leave much room for any doubt that “Unto The Locust” is a flawless piece of work.
In anticipation of the new Megadeth record, Machine Head has every potential of winning the best metal record of 2011.
Highlight: Ignore the repulsive cover sleeve and the uninspired logo.
