Machine Head's life is not easy. The band alternates golden and dark periods. The last one, marked by the release of "Catharsis", was delicate. It saw the departure of Phil Demmel and showed a weakened Rob Flynn who delivered himself in a misunderstood and scattered record. More than four years have passed. Machine Head toured to celebrate their iconic debut album, Flynn got back on track, recruited Waclaw Kieltyka on guitar and is back with "Of Kingdom And Crown".
To keep a certain consistency, Flynn offers a concept album. Set in an apocalyptic future, it evokes two characters evolving between good and evil. Built like a novel with interludes, the record is a rollercoaster. 'Slaughter The Martyr' starts strong, the track alternating on more than ten minutes calm and melancholic passages dominated by clear vocals and a pure and hard Thrash proposing technical soli. Intense and gripping !
'Chøke Øn The Ashes Øf Yøur Hate', 'Becøme The Firestørm', 'Bløødshøt' and 'Røtten' is a formidable quartet made of ferocious neo Thrash metal. Flynn screams like a damned, the rhythm is intense with a nervousness carried by very fast soli. The impact is enormous and the choruses, where the clear vocals takes a place, sound like slogans intended to set the fire in concert.
As a counterpoint, Machine Head calms down the game and offers varied tracks. 'My Hands Are Empty', 'Unhalløwed', 'Nø Gøds, Nø Masters' offer catchy melancholic aspects. The choruses are successful, we swim in a US rock not far from Alter Bridge. Flynn shines on the vocals, he still progressed and is close to the best rock singers with a superb veiled side. But Machine Head has not become Nickelback. It offers well felt accelerations in a modern metal spirit brought by a Kieltyka offering riffs and soli close to Decapitated.
"Of Kingdom And Crown" is a rich and solid album. Machine Head comes back to his bases while keeping a taste for the melody which hits the bull's eye. The result is a perfect patchwork of the best of the band's sound.