Feature Artist
"MACHINE HEAD"

Artist:	"MACHINE HEAD"
Title:	"The More Things Change"
Label:	Roadrunner Records
Release Date:	3/25/97
Will Be Available:	Any Major Music Store
Reviewed By:	Mary Ellen Gustafson
Rating:	4

After the success of their debut release "Burn My Eyes," "MACHINE HEAD" faced the task of topping that album with their sophmore release "The More Things Change," which will be in stores 3/25/97. I'm happy to report that this much anticipated new album lives up to expectations and even surpasses them. "Machine Head" (Robb Flynn - vocals/guitar, Logan Mader - guitar, Adam Duce - bass, Dave McClain - drums) spent the first half of 1996 writing, then changing and rearranging several times, the ten songs on this album, until the band felt they were the best they could be. They added numerous new elements into their ever-evolving sound to come up with this cutting edge new effort, and it definitely paid off. Every time I listen to this album I hear more effects, experimental sounds and combinations that culminate in one awesome CD.

It's very difficult to put your finger on what kind of album this is. It has elements of metal, hardcore, straight on rock and even a few Hip-Hop scratches, all mixed together in the various songs. The first single from the album, "Ten Ton Hammer," uses interesting, heavy instrumentals, with a good melody when Robb Flyn is singing, effectively offsetting the hardcore shouting portions of the song. A high pitched note held while Robb is shouting the opening words of the song adds emphasis, and the use of bass in this track gives it that "extra" touch that makes it a great song instead of just a good one.

One of the more experimental sounding tracks is "Take My Scars." There's a little bit of everything in this song. The intro adds one instrument at a time, all playing the same thing in a different key as it's carried into heavy instrumentals supported by an excellent bass line. The tune switches from off-key to on-key and off again to create interest, and the Hip-Hop scratch in various places adds to the experimental sound. A change of pace, and lower voice after the bridge, before returning to the main melodic line emphasizes the lyrics. Personally, I found this to be one of the best tracks on the CD.

Moving to a totally different plain, "Down to None" has a meloncholy, eerie sound. A very heavy, slow, instrumental intro eventually picks up in speed, first by the drums and then followed by the rest of the band. Lots of pace changes and experimental guitar sounds add texture, and although I can't stand shouted lyrics, at leat Robb Flynn can shout on key. This dude is a really talented vocalist.

"Some of the stuff on this album is weirder than anything we've ever done before," said Flynn, "but it's still along the same lines as far as the eerie, dark feeling that it brings with it." That statement is abundantly evident in the seven-minute moody tune "Violate." The odd intro, very eerie and medium paced, with a driving beat and more experimental sounds, moves into lyrics sung in a low, soft tone of voice that fits like a glove with the instrumental portion. Eventually the song becomes louder as the song progresses, and the pace picks up with instrumental solos. Returning to the heavy driving beat for just a few seconds, the pace changes again almost, but not quite, to speed metal, then back to a slow pace for the end, and a vocal echo adds the finishing touch.

I could go on about every track on this album because they're all good. It's worth a listen no matter what type of rock/metal/punk/hardcore/pop/experimental music you like, because this album has them all. The brains behind the music, according to the bio, were initially Flynn and Logan Mader, but the end result was attained through a band collaboration, with Adam Duce and Dave McClain offering invaluable assistance in structuring the material in a way that maximizes the songs' dynamics. The word dynamics comes up a lot with "Machine Head" as you'll see in the interview below.

"We work like a unit now a lot more than we did before we recorded "Burn My Eyes" and during the touring for that album," Duce says. "Everything is just a lot more together now and more focused - everybody pulling in the same direction."

"It feels more like a band than ever before," Flynn agreed. "Part of that can be attributed to the fact that Logan and Adam have known each other for something like 18 years now, while I've known them for 8. The more time we spend around each other, the more comfortable it feels, and the more confident we get as a band, and I think it shows in our writing."

Guys, I agree with you 100%. It's obvious this is a tight, hard-working, band that's gained maturity in their music, lyrics and "dynamics." This is one outstanding album and it's going to be a big one!


Interview With Logan Mader Guitarist and Song Writer for MACHINE HEAD Interview Conducted by Mary Ellen Gustafson

AMZ - I wanted to let you know that I was very impressed, especially with the instrumentals on this album. I can appreciate the experimental side of it, and I really think this is a plus for Machine Head. I've interviewed other Bay area bands, and there's a lot of pop/punk going on around there. What pushed you guys in the direction of heavy metal?

LM - Pop/Punk is sorta like flavor of the month, and we've been doing what we do for quite a while. We stay true to what we're all about. We can't just be pop/punk all of a sudden. We're more like what we are.

AMZ - In the bio it's says you and Rob started writing all the songs for this album and then it became a collaboration among all the members. Did this work out better? Did you do this with the first album, or is this the first time you've done it this way?

LM - No, the first album was written in similar fashion. The only difference is that we had like two years to write the first one, and we had six months to write the second. So the pressure was increased and we made ourselves do it and it got to be a little bit like a job. I'm not complaining or anything, but we went 6 days a week, 5-8 hrs. a day practicing because when a song was finished we wouldn't just settle for that. We kept working things and workin' 'em, tearing them all apart and putting them back together until we were satisfied and felt totally like it couldn't be any better. Then it was done.

AMZ - You have a lot of interesting sounds that you've produced on this album. I don't want to say it's off-key, because even though it sounds like it's off-key, it also sounds right if you follow what I'm saying. It almost sounds like there was a lot of improvisation. I mean once you've settled on a song, do you improvise? How does all this comes into play here? In other words, are you sitting down writing out music saying okay we're gonna play this, this and this, or do you do lot of experimenting like "hey this sounds cool, let's throw it in there," and if I went to see you live it may not be the same as what I hear on this album?

LM - Well, once a song is complete, we pretty much play it live that way. We complete a song and record that way because we think that's how it should be so we play it that way live. In writing, I write a lot of guitar riffs, Rob writes a lot of guitar riffs, we bring them to the band and then just a lot of stuff that I write goes well with what Rob writes and it gives a new dimension. Like he'll come up with an intro, verse and chorus as far as music goes, and even drum beats and then the song needs like a breakdown, it needs something different and that's where I usually come in and offere some different angles and stuff. Then we all work together on how the drums and bass fit into it, and all the little extra little fills and stuff and that get added in as time goes by. We keep workin' it. We really work hard on writing the song. We don't settle for a regular song. It's like it's gotta do something for us personally. Then we're happy with it.

AMZ - It's really noticable, it's more noticable than a lot of metal. The sound is interesting. It attracts your attention.

LM - That's part of what we like about the stuff that we write. It's like it might not be played directly, or it might be wrong notes technically, but it sounds good and makes the right feeling, and if it's good then it is right. It's all about what sounds really cool I guess.

AMZ - I realize this is your second album, and there really hasn't been too much time in between them, but I particularly noticed a real ability to use changes in tone, and pace, and, like you said, experimental guitar riffs, off-key notes, and that kind of thing that brings a real original quality to the music. Is this much different than the first album?

LM - We rely on dynamics. We really understand the importance of dynamics and also simplicity - a sort of symplistic approach to writing a song and the way it should be structured. As far as little signature type extras that come in, those are really things that are our own, and we have more confidence in this record because in writing it we all became better at what we do from the touring cycle off the first record. We've evolved individually, and as a band we allowed ourselves to be more expressive and more experimental, take a few risks. Like maybe we wouldn't have done a lot of things on our first record that we do on this new one. We have the confidence, we do it and it's great.

AMZ - What I have in my notes is that the style is definitely your own. It's extremely heavy metal, but not typical of other heavy metal bands, and it's bordering on hardcore but not quite there either. Is that sorta how you see it?

LM - Yeah, we have elements of your basic metal and your hardcore and even like rap and straight ahead rock.

AMZ - And you mix them all in one song which is awesome. I was really impressed with the song "Take My Scars" where you use the DJ scratch technique.

LM - That was really improv. I did that on there. I did that right as I was tracking.

AMZ - Did you do that with a guitar?

LM - Yeah that was my guitar.

AMZ - Really? It sounds like the Hip-Hop DJ's when they're using two turntables.

LM - Yeah, that's what I was going for.

AMZ - Are the lyrics message music, or are they just what feels right at the time?

LM - Well, Rob writes all the lyrics, and there's some songs that have a specific topic and then there's other songs that are more open to the listener's perceptions - they can take it how they want. All the lyrics create a powerful image in your head when you listen to them. They can mean one thing to somebody and mean another thing to somebody else.

AMZ - There are a lot of instrumentals in just about every song. Does that indicate that the music part is more important than the lyrics? Or does the music come first and then the lyrics are written to fit the music?

LM - In the writing process the music comes first and then comes the vocal melodies and then comes the lyrics in most cases. But that doesn't say that one is more important than they other. That's just how our process goes. Because great music is one thing, but without good lyrics and a good vocal melody then the songs no good. They go hand in hand.

AMZ - The use of minor key and the off-key sound for emphasis, and the style and pace changes within a song, seem to be there to create a specific effect. Has this become a trademark of Machine Head?

LM - Yeah it sort of is a trademark already. We utilize dynamics.

AMZ - I have the studio photos and they emphasize effect on purpose. Some metal bands have their "look" because their music is heavy metal. Is your look because you have to do it, or because you'd do it anyways?

LM - Because I'd do it anyways. Like, the way I look, the way I dress, is the way I would in any situation. That's just my taste.

AMZ - This is going to sound odd, but in the pictures - is that a special pierce you have in your chin?

LM - (Laughs) No, that's just beads I put on my beard. People are really shocked by it sometimes.

AMZ - I was just trying to figure out how you got it attached. I mean it looks cool, but I couldn't see how you could get into that area. It attracted my attention right away.

AMZ - According to the information that was sent to me, the band is anxious to tour again. Do you know when you're gonna go on the road to support this album?

LM - Yeah, the record comes out March 25th and we're going to do some warm-up dates around the West Coast and the South West. Are you in Phoenix?

AMZ - Yes.

LM - We'll be coming through Phoenix. That will be on like our warm-up dates at "Boston's" in Tempe. I noticed a really, really strong metal scene in Phoenix and I think it's really cool. I was there a not too long ago visiting friends and hanging out.

AMZ - Was that nice? Getting a chance to get out of the studio and just have a chance to kick back before you have to go on tour again?

LM - Oh, yeah. It was really nice. I needed it. But we weren't really finished recording at that point so I only had the weekend.

AMZ - Now you're stuck with all the press and warm ups and all that other good stuff.

LM - That's good. I'd rather be doing this than not.

AMZ - More quotes from the press kit mentioned that travelling and accomodations were not exactly the most comfortable to deal with. Do you think with the success of the previous album, and all the expectations for the new one, that your touring is going to be maybe a little more comfortable this time around?

LM - No. Not at all.

AMZ - Doesn't it really get to be a drag to be in a different city every day, hit the bus and all that stuff?

LM - That's what I do. I mean sure, it can become like a job you know, but I'm doing what I love to do. I don't have any complaints. We prefer to tour in such a way that saves us money. A lot of bands like to be way larger than they really are and they waste a lot of money they don't have. We'd rather not act like we're bigger than we are and not go beyond what we are. We don't go get hotel rooms, we sleep on the bus.

AMZ - That's pretty impressive, because you're right. Most bands, the minute they make a name, they blow the money, and if for some reason something doesn't happen a short time down the road, they've lost it all.

LM - Or they're in debt or whatever. We approach it with a realistic approach.

AMZ - That's good to know, because a lot of people think rockers totally don't give a shit, blow the money, trash places, stuff like that and it's nice for me to be able to report that just because you're rockers it doesn't mean that you don't have a good head on your shoulders or know how to take care of yourselves.

LM - It's all part of our plan too - to be around forever. This is what we love to do. We don't think about now, we think about ten years from now. We think about our entire careers. Everything we do now, and everything we do in the future, plays a part in what our main objective is.

AMZ - Do people recognize you now?

LM - Yeah, some times, some places.

AMZ - Do they drive you nuts?

LM - No, not at all. It's sort of funny, like especially in Europe we're more recognized by strangers and stuff. The kids have like this mis-conception that anyone that's been in a magazine and has a record out is rich and famous. It's not the case and it's really kind of funny that they assume that.

AMZ - I've heard this from a lot of bands I've talked to that they're real popular in Europe. It seems like the following in Europe is usually bigger than it is here. And a lot of bands start their tours in Europe and then come here. It's like warm up over there, and then come here, because the audience's here are tougher on the bands.

LM - Well, for a band like us, the audiences over here are just going to take seeing us under faith, because we don't get quite the kind of media embrace that we do over in Europe. We're not on MTV for example over here, and we're on over there all the time. Things like that sort of help you in the beginning. But over here it's all good - it's just we know that it's hard work we gotta put out. We will just tour and tour and tour and that's what's going to do it for us. Hard work is what's going to make people know who we are. When they come to see us, they'll get a good show, that's for sure.

AMZ - What do you like to do in your off time?

LM - Me? I like to snowboard, and I like to go fishing out in the ocean, and I breed American Pit Bulls. I love dogs. We're pretty much normal people, we live a regular life style. We go out to the regular places we always went to, and we support our scene.

AMZ - This is not a technical magazine. This is read by regular people who are just interested. Any other comments?

LM - Here's something technical for ya - the new album is better than beer! I would also just like to thank everybody who has supported us and come out to see us and buys the records. Thank you!


Look for Live Concert coverage of "MACHINE HEAD" in next month's issue of ACCESS to the MUSIC ZONE!

MACHINE HEAD Tour Schedule

4/1/97	Tucson, AZ	The Planet
4/2/97	Tempe, AZ	Boston's
4/4/97	Corona, CA	Showcase Theatre
4/5/97	West Hollywood, CA	The Whiskey
4/6/97	San Diego, CA	Showcase Theatre
4/8/97	Santa Barbara, CA	Emerald City
4/9/97	Carmichael, CA	El Dorado

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