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new deftones sounds awesome
bad choice for a single but the rest of the album is great

i wouldnt call machine head alternative metal, although, now i come to think of it i dont know what they play; thrash? nu-metal? some kinda hardcore, i think they are from what is known as the bay-area whatever the fuck that is.

as far as i am concerned there is but one place to start [and finnish] with machine head, and that is there grinding debut;

Machine Head - burn my eyes (1994)

07/10 [imo]

it seems as if, after looking at rateyourmusic, that their latest cd is something worth checking out: after 244 ratings it got an average of 4.1/5, wich is good [great in my rating system] and came 19th of all the albums of 2003. maybe u should check that one too, i know i will, but i still think it makes sense to start from the start. the tried and tested group.

BUT, here is the longest review from RYM anyway:

Machine Head - Through the Ashes of Empires

Through The Ashes Of Empires is a come back rarely seen in metal music, except Iron Maiden's Brave New World, I don't remember having witnessed anything as striking as what Machine Head accomplished with TTAOE. The loss of their record deal and the departure of their guitarist (Ahrue Luster, now hired by Ill Nino) put them in a difficult situation. Fortunately things turned pretty well with this present album.

After two records criticized by their original fanbase, Machine Head decided to choose a more radical direction and did this impressive blend of thrash, heavy metal, growling and melodic vocals. Through the ashes of Empires doesn't have the hardcore vibe of Machine Head two first efforts, nor has it the nu metal feeling of The Burning Red and Supercharger (their two prior releases). This album is actually much closer to 80's heavy metal, it has a few Iron Maiden / Judas Priest riffs that were never heard from this band until that time. A lot of the songs are epic and last for more than 4-5 minutes. That means you can expect complex structures and surprising parts.

Even though Phil Demmel stepped in the band while the writing process was almost over, his influence is obvious on certain songs, which contain very exciting "pure metal" solos. The music is way more aggressive than on their two last records, and Dave McClain is torturing his drums as much as he did on The More Things Change.
This is a great come back like I said, Robert Flynn and his fellas pushed the limits of their art as much as they could and were able to come up with an amazing record against which few bands on the market are able to compete. Through the Ashes of Empires is definitely one of the best metal records of this new millenium... until their next release?

Tracks review:
1. Imperium: great opener, crushing riff that immediately establishes it as a real metal anthem. Imperium is a long epic song that is the best symbol of what the band is about musically right now. Long epic song with a kick-ass finish. 10/10
2. Bite the bullet: mid-tempo song with a wicked riff, this one is actually close to a slow and less enthusiastic version of the song "Supercharger" from the previous album. 7/10
3. Left Unfinished: a song filled up with energy and emotion where Flynn deals with his issue with his biological parents. Classical machine head song but very convincing. 8.5/10
4. Elegy: a haunting and moody song, the bridge featuring Robb's mellow singing and harmonies is really good. Not so spectacular all in all. 7.5/10
5. In the presence of my enemies: huge riffs and an incredible solo, that's what really stands out in this track. One of longest and most complex song of the album. 9/10
6. Days turn blue to gray: Machine Head using the best of their assets here: a great blend of aggression and melody. 9.5/10
7. Vim: very interesting track, this one is pure heaviness, no mellow vocals, bridge or anything, just a crushing no-comprising stuff. Would make a great live song. 9/10
8. Seasons Wither: only available on the american release, the Flynn-Demmel team really shines on this one. Another long and complex song, bonified by a great solo from Mr. Demmel and a very beautiful bridge sung by Robb. 9.5/10
9. All falls down: that's a good mix of awesome drumming, Adam Duce doing a great job on harmonizing the song and Robb's songwriting, going back a bit in The Burning Red style. 9.5/10
10. Wipe away the tears: classical groovy and heavy Machine Head track, good stuff. 8.5/10
11. Descend the shades of night: definitely a highlight of the record: a long, dark and complex power ballad. Great intro on acoustic guitar, Flynn is doing a very fine job on the singing and the solo is very worth it too. 10/10

by a mr 'The_Declaration'.

mostly-metal said:

Dog Fashion Disco - Adultery (2006)

it does exactly what it says on the desk: alternative metal. hundreds [well, 20ish] of instruments, weird and druggy, often referd to as circus metal. it seems to me to be a concept album, or maybe i just looked at the cover [thats how i always figure out a concept]; someone has an affair and then someone is killed, or commits suicide [i didnt listen that closely, or take notes, but its great].
08/10, could rise to a 09/10.

Oh jesus christ. I SECOND THIS. My vote for album of the year.

It is a concept album, but ill spare ruining the story. Absolutely brilliant album, and it needs to be listened to more. Go buy it!

to be honest, id go with Dog Fasion Disco, as mentioned above. Anarchists Of Good Taste is great. ud be better going with adultery tho, its a lot more contained and is a pretty current release.

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum is another option, but im not the biggest fan of theirs, personally.

Sigh's latest album was quite a madfest. very bungley, without sonding to mush like them. which is weird cause they started out as a black metal band. well, they are japanees. actually id say that 'gallows gallery' by sigh is ur best bet, or my main recomendation, check that 1 out.

then there are some other wied, bungle related artists:
Idiot Flesh
Secret Chiefs 3
John Zorn, actually talking of old zorny; one of his latest [2006] releases feature both micky patton and trevor dunn, its a worth while purchase, just not of bungle standerds. when u listen to john zorn u realise just how much imput he had into bungle, a sixth member u could say, and probably nuber one or two in rank of importance.

and check these that were posted in the mike patton fans group:
faith no more stuff
tho im no big FNM fan.

and here is the holy grail!:
shit loads of bungle, fantumas and bungle related stuff
that could be every cover they done. there is a secret cheifs 3 album on there, oh wait, that could be an idiot flesh album, the idiot flesh one isnt that good if thats the one that is on there.
[go into incoming and then into requests [as if u wouldnt figure that out in 2 seconds]]

that is sad. i didnt think anything would beat anarchists.

And another one for the road:

Hungry for Stink



Highlights:
Riding With a Movie Star
Talk Box
Andres

Female Metal band, old and a bit forgotten but damn, they're good :)

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That looks tasty. :)

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I'd like to recommend The God Machine, I saw them opening a local festival in 1993 and they literally blew me away. Their debut album Scenes From The Second Storey is a must-have. Unfortunately, bassist Jimmy Fernandez died shortly after the recording of their second album, One Last Laugh In A Place Of Dying... After it was released, the members all went their seperate ways. Sadly, as I feel their later projects never matched the quality of The God Machine.

I remember reading somewhere where Nickelback described themselves as "alternative metal." *shudder*

Sevendust - Alpha (2007)

Energetic, dynamic and melodic. Cool :)

I never could begin liking FNM. I tried many imes but I don't think I will ever like them :(