Author Archives: Mark
Review: Machine Head – Locust Vinyl (Metal Hammer)
Today sees the release of the new issue of Metal Hammer magazine in the UK. The magazine is celebrating 25 years “of keeping it heavy” making this issue a very special edition. No, I’m not on Metal Hammer’s payroll, nor am I receiving commission for advertising the magazine, but as someone who was brought into the digital age kicking and screaming, the “free” Machine Head vinyl really does appeal to me. For years people, friends and lovers, have mocked me for clinging so tightly to CDs under their own misguided delusions that “MP3s are better”. Now I get to enjoy the sweet analogue sounds of Machine ‘fucking’ Head on vinyl and I’m #winning as always.
Damn you Metal Hammer, you made me pick up your “fan pack” magazine in order to get a physical copy of Unto the Locust (fuck digital copies), and now you’ve tricked me into buying your 25th anniversary special. Ah well, so I guess it’s time for me to clean the dust off my (*cough* dad’s) record player and blast some Machine Head goodness.
Machine Head – Locust vinyl (Metal Hammer 25th anniversary exclusive)
1. Locust (Album Version)
2. Beautiful Mourning (Live)
3. Bite The Bullet (Live)
Side A begins with the song ‘Locust’ taken from the band’s latest masterpiece, Unto the Locust. Those that heard the early ‘advance mix’ were no doubt disappointed with the track (I know I was), but the final album version kicked ass with a better mix and within the context of the album. Now imagine what it sounds like on vinyl and with huge Wharfedale professional speakers. The bass destroys and song as whole sounds incredible. Although not the best track on the album (‘I Am Hell’ could have really benefited from the vinyl treatment), it still makes for a great start to the record.
Side B contains the two live tracks. ‘Beautiful Mourning’ is a great track from The Blackening and a good choice since it doesn’t always get as much attention compared to other tracks on the album. The performance is flawless and makes for a phenomenal listening. It’s almost like the band are performing right in front of me. Each riff, each note, and each blast of the drum is played with complete precision. Final track ‘Bite the Bullet’ is also played brilliantly, but makes for quite an odd track choice. The song is far from being a favorite for me, but regardless, Machine Head are once again on fire.
Short, sweet, but definitely worthy of the £4.99 price. For more information on the magazine, click here.
The Haunted live at Wacken
The Haunted have released a new live video for the track ‘No Ghost’. It doesn’t sound live, but allegedly it is, so I guess there has been some great mixing done… Just a shame the song (and video too for that matter) kind of sucks, you know? But I’ll save the “they should have stuck to their heavy Thrash roots” rant for the hundreds of posters on Blabbermouth.
The clip was filmed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in August 2011 by Marcel Schleiff of Record Film and was edited by Anders Björler of At The Gates Production.
Read Blabbermouth for more information.
Judas Priest rock North America
Judas Priest kicked off their North American tour last night as part of their famous farewell (but not quite farewell) tour. Footage of the band performing ‘Living After Midnight’ at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, can be viewed above.
The setlist and shit can be found at Blabbermouth.
Fred Durst is a professional joke
As a change from the comedy project he’s currently involved in, Limp Bizkit, frontman Fred Durst has signed a deal with CBS to star in a new sitcom.
The half-an-hour show, currently titled as ‘Douchebag’ (perhaps autobiographical?), will star Fred as a “rock legend” (oh no, wait, my mistake, not autobiographical after all) trying to juggle his family and his famous-person lifestyle. The program will be written by Matthew Carlson (‘Mr. Sunshine’), who will executive-produce with CBS TV studios-based producers Eric and Kim Tannenbaum. In addition, Fred’s manager/producer John Schneider will serve as a non-writing producer.
[ Source: Deadline.com ]
Oh noes, Disturbing shit!
“Disturbed guitarist is confident his band will return” – Blabbermouth / Billboard.com
My heart just sank. Please excuse the short post, I’m off now to cry into my pillow 🙁
