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21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century... So Far

#16: MACHINE HEAD – THE BLACKENING

 Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 5:20pm by

21best1machine head - the blackening

We recently polled a wide array of musicians, managers, publicists, label reps, and writers from within the world of metal to find out what they thought the 21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century So Far have been. Eligible albums were released between January 1, 2000 and  April 1, 2009. Each panelist turned in a ballot, with their #1 album worth 21 points, their #2 album worth 20 points, and so on and so forth. The ballots are now in and we’ll be counting down one album a day until we reach #1. Today we present the #16 album, coming in with a total of 115 points…

Machine Head, The Blackening (Roadrunner, 2007)
Robb Flyn – Vocals/Guitars
Phil Demmel – Guitars
Adam Duce – Bass
Dave McClain – Drums
Produced by Colin Richardson

With 2007′s The Blackening, Machine Head stormed back with a resounding shotgun blast from years of wallowing in irrelevancy, catapulting themselves back into metal’s mainstream with unanimous praise from longtime fans and critics alike. It’s not that Machine Head’s post Burn My Eyes efforts were downright terrible… actually, yeah, it pretty much is. While Machine Head could’ve spent the ’90s waving the “true metal” flag alongside Pantera, instead they chose to join the rap-metal circus and drown in a sea of mediocrity. With the addition of Phil Demmel on guitar for 2003′s Through the Ashes of Empires things started to turn around, culminating in The Blackening, an album that may end up standing as Machine Head’s career-best work.

The Blackening finds Rob Flynn, Demmel, bassist Adam Duce and drummer Dave McClain at their absolute best. The album finds Machine Head striking a pointed mix of technicality, brutality and even progressive song structures; the album’s shortest track clocks in at 4:46 while four songs stretch beyond the 9-minute mark. Flynn delivers his finest vocal performance to date, slipping between his patented sing-scream and clean voice without any of the drama or artificiality to strike so many of his peers who released albums in 2007.

Several of the songs on The Blackening are instant classics; the undeniable riffs of “Beautiful Mourning,” the non-stop pummeling thrash of “Aesthetics of Hate,” and the epic, soaring, album masterpiece “Halo.” Flynn and co. deliver plenty of their trademarked crushing brutality, shred, neo-classical guitar harmonizing, generous sprinklings of melody, and plenty of jaw-dropping instrumental passages that show off every member’s chops. Yet somehow the band manages never to lose track of the art of the song; every cut has a beginning, middle and end, cut up by many, many parts in between, but the songs all come full circle to complete themselves thematically. Even listening back to this album for the first time in at least a year for the purpose of writing this review, new layers of sonic complexity reveal themselves in ever-unfolding layers thanks to Colin Richardson’s crisp mix on Flynn’s own production work.

That’s the beauty of this album; it’s got everything in just the right doses. It’s hard to imagine Machine Head will be able to top The Blackening, but by writing such a fantastic album these Bay Area natives have solidified their place among the pantheon of Bay Area metal greats.

-VN

Download The Blackening  from Amazon or iTunes!

THE LIST SO FAR:

#17 – Hatebreed, Perseverance

#18 – Lamb of God, New American Gospel

#19 – Mastodon, Remission

#20 – Shadows Fall, The War Within

#21 – Slipknot, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses

THE PANEL OF VOTERS

Chris Adler, Lamb of God
Dan And, Bison B.C.
Ben Apatoff, Apatoff for Destruction/Metal Injection
Jason Bittner, Shadows Fall
Tim Brennan, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Freddy Cai, Painkiller Magazine
Ian Christe, Bazillion Points
Reverend David J. Ciancio, Yeah! Management
Betsey Cichoracki, Relapse Records
Paul Conroy, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
J. Costa, Thy Will Be Done
Dallas Coyle, ex-God Forbid/Coyle Media
Doc Coyle, God Forbid
CT, Rwake
Anso DF, MetalSucks/Hipsters Out of Metal!
Vince Edwards, Metal Blade Records
Charles Elliott, Abysmal Dawn/Nuclear Blast Records
Brian Fair, Shadows Fall
Leo  Ferrante, Warner Music Group
D.X. Ferris, author 33 1/3: Reign in Blood/Freelance Journalist
Mike Gitter, Roadrunner Records
Nick Green, Decibel
Matt Grenier, August Burns Red
Anthony Guzzardo, Earache Records
Kevin Hufnagel, Dysrhythmia
Mark Hunter, Chimaira
Steve Joh, Century Media
EJ Johantgen, Prosthetic Records
Kim Kelly, Metal Injection/Hails & Horns/Freelance Journalist
Josh “The J” Key, Psychostick
Jason Lekberg, Epic Records
Eyal Levi, Daath
Bob Lugowe, Relapse Records
Matt McChesney, The Autumn Offering
Jake McReynolds, Psychostick
Marc Meltzer, The Syndicate
Josh Middleton, Sylosis
Matt Moore, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Vince Neilstein, MetalSucks
Sammy O’Hagar, MetalSucks
Anton OyVey, MetalSucks/Bacon Jew
Rob Pasbani, Metal Injection
Alex Preiss, Psychostick
Carlos Ramirez, NoiseCreep/Universal Music Group
Brian Rocha, Fresno Media USA
Jeremy Rosen, Roadrunner Records
Axl Rosenberg, MetalSucks
Satan Rosenbloom, MetalSucks/Cerebral Metalhead
David Bee Roth, MetalSucks
Jason Rudolph, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Amy Sciarretto, Roadrunner Records/NoiseCreep
Carl Severson, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Gary Suarez, MetalSucks/No Yoko No/Brainwashed
Geoff Summers, The End Records/Crustcake
Bram Teitelman, The Syndicate/Metal Insider
Alisha Turull, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Christopher R. Weingarten, 1000TimesYes/Freelance Journalist

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  • http://myspace.com/whitearmsofathena Josh

    #1

    • Uglymicrowave

      I agree….. what a sick album…I opted to see these guys over mastodon/dragonforce at LI’s Mayhem Fest and I’m soo glad i did…everyone ran inside to see mastodon…as MH ripped apart the last outside stage act…as people moved inside i just got closer and closer to the stage….

  • ZapBranigan

    I’m shocked, I thought this would be #1.

    • ZapBranigan

      …at least in the top 5.

      • luisl

        Yeah! this album is great.

  • kevin

    Shouldn’t be alot of controversy with this pick, fantastic album.

  • Anthony

    Definitely my favourite Machine Head album but I always felt that this album was just a tad bit overrated. Still a great album though.

  • fightingmike

    This is a really good record, not my favorite band, but i dig this record quite a bit. Top Notch Shit!

  • Dr schwine-hoot

    Metal, the way it should be. A little suprised it’s this low. Def. deserving to be on the list either way… More Things change actually kicks effing a$$, i suggest you give it another listen.

    • metalguy

      definetly. way higher than this. i was expecting Killswitch engage to be here

  • skepticsteve

    #16 is bullshit…. maybe #16 of asll time…. top five for sure…

  • key

    clearly number 1 is going to hollywood undead. this would have been number two.

  • Crunch240sx

    my fav Machine Head Album. I thought this will be a few numbers below ya know? in the top ten at least

  • http://www.last.fm/user/BootScraperSean Anger Unmanagement

    Brilliant album, bought the album and t shirt. Would have thought higher though.

  • groverXIII

    Yeah, I’m surprised that this one wasn’t ranked higher. It’s certainly the best album listed so far, though, so I can’t really complain too much.

  • Anus Apache

    This was the first Machine Head album I listened to. I like it so much I decided to listen to a couple of their other albums….mistake

    • yanky

      same here mate
      :-)

      solid album
      saw them with metallica
      they were aight
      i think its pretty twisted that they covered a rap song on the bonus cd
      hallowed be thy name ruled
      especially live
      crazy ass solos for damn sure :-)
      hell yeah!!

  • http://www.98online.com/pages/jocks_tj_br00tality.aspx Christoff

    I haven’t had too much issue with the list so far….but this is re-god-damn-diculous! Machine Head put out the “Master of Puppets” of this generation with “The Blackening.”

    EPIC FAIL MetalSucks!

    “The Blackening” = #1

  • Pacey

    I was happy with the list so far, but this NEEDS to be higher up!
    Interested to see what comes above this then…

  • Lee

    Great Album, it just slays everything in it’s path!

    HAALLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

  • Tim

    This is to be expected given the people who voted for these records. This doesn’t even belong in the Top 21 of 2007. A joke of a list so far.

    • slave_screams

      Who do you expect to critique the best albums of the past 9 years? Some underground guys who hail obscure records that no one has heard about? No matter who is asked their opinion on their personal favourite releases, its going to be the polar opposite to what someone else thinks – List your personal fav’s and at least we can see what genre of metal you are coming from

      • Tim

        Isis – Oceanic
        Dozer – In the Tail of a Comet
        Ufomammut – Snailking
        Dead Congregation – Graves of the Archangels
        Lurker of Chalice – Lurker of Chalice
        Repugnant – Epitome of Darkness
        Electric Wizard – Witchcult Today
        Whitehorse – Westofthesun/Oceanturnstoblack
        Ulcerate – Everything is Fire
        Wolf – The Black Flame
        High On Fire – Death is this Communion
        Om – Conference of the Birds
        Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters
        Buried At Sea – Migration
        Blut Aus Nord – The Work Which Transforms God
        Knut – Challenger
        Thorns – Thorns
        Rosetta – The Galilean Satellites
        Necrovation – Breed Deadness Blood
        Botch – We Are the Romans
        Immolation – Close to a World Below

        There you go. And if you haven’t heard of the vast majority of these records, you’re not a metal fan.

        • Ziltoid

          Great list (especially with Rosetta–amazing album). I’ve heard most of those albums, and I’m glad to see that at least somebody here has good taste. Indeed, this is quite a joke list so far.

        • Brian

          And it’s pretty much a given that Close to a World Below and Oceanic are making it way the hell up on the list. Patience, patience.

          • Tim

            Oceanic maybe, Close to A World Below no. And given the shit that’s been listed so far, even Oceanic is doubtful.

        • bucketochicken

          You try too hard.

        • slave_screams

          If not knowing all the above named bands means I’m not a metal fan in your eyes
          then so be it – Isis, Electric Wizard, High on Fire, Immolation and Wolves in the
          Throne room I am familar with, as for the rest I havn’t come across them, so I cant
          comment. Some people like underground technical death metal, others like
          more straight ahead rock – It just shows the diversity of music within the metal
          genre – I wouldn’t even call myself a big Machine Head fan, but I felt they put out a
          great record in the Blackening – Ask 100 metal heads to name their top 10 records
          and you will get 100 different answers, thats the beauty of lists, no one ever
          agrees!

        • sYgnal

          Well, I guess I’m a Classic Rock fan by your standards…. *Ah Damn*

          As for the “New & Improved” Machine Head… It sounds like all the other shit on Metal Blade &(possibly) Century Media. Really Heavy & Straightforward but boring as Fuck! I’d rather listen to the new O.S.I.

        • SourDeez

          I’ve been listening to Everything Is Fire nonstop, that is some seriously, SERIOUSLY nasty shit. But come on, you’re not a metal fan if you haven’t heard most of these? I’ve heard almost all of them, but that’s because I’m a metal ADDICT. I listen to metal morning noon, and night, and attend as many shows as I can. The casual metal fan has no idea who Ulcerate or Blut Aus Nord is, and nor do they have to. You don’t have to be the most serious and devoted metalhead in the universe in order to be a fan of metal. Most of my fellow metalhead friends call me “the encyclopedia” just because I listen to a lot of lesser known albums along with the more mainstream stuff and they tend to avoid the really extreme shit. That doesn’t make them any less metal, they’re just more traditional. Ain’t nuttin wrong with that. I do think it’s funny that you put Wolf on there though, that’s a fun album.

    • politude

      Hey mister tr00 kvlt, just cause you listen to black metal with corpse paint on, doesn’t mean this album doesn’t belong

      • Tim

        I don’t listen to black metal with corpse paint. I also don’t listen to shitty metal.

        • joshkid

          Thank God I never heard of any of the bands in that list! Not even one!
          Machine Head pwns

          P.S. Metal rules

          • Tim

            That’s unfortunate. No wonder you like Machine Head.

        • metalguy

          seems to me your only letting yourself listen to extremely underground metal. a real metal fan would be able to recognize talent even in metal your not that into.
          for instance… hmmm lemme see.. immolation is one of the hidden gems of unknown death metal. i dont perticularly care for there still, but i know they are seriously underated. now you try.

          • Joe

            I agree with metalguy, there’s nothing wrong with thinking that some mainstream metal releases are good (they can’t all be on Southern Lord after all.) Obscure black metal and true doom have their place, but you don’t gotta rag on the uninitiated. However, I too would like to see some more worthy bands make this list. But not just for elitism’s sake (although Wolves and the Throne Room are a cool band.)

            But these are just opinions. That’s how I look at it. If Metalsucks, random ass musicians from bands I’ve never heard of, and industry whores (no disrespect) think Machine Head is the bee’s knees, then okay. They are as entitled to their opinions as we are to ours.

          • Tim

            Hmmm, that’s a difficult one. Mostly because I don’t regard most of the bands listed as being that underground. High On Fire? Om? Isis? Electric Wizard? As for a more mainstream band, I guess I would say I like Nile quite a lot, and Meshuggah has been a regular in my listening for more than a decade; but you probably regard both of them as underground too. If that’s the case I got nothing but my old Priest and Maiden records to fall back on.

          • Biff Tanner

            Immolation is “unknown deathmetal” ?? Huh? They’ve been around FOREVER and are massivly respected in the metal scene. The best album of the decade so far is Deathspell Omega’s “si monumentum requires circumspice”. look it up, put on some headphones with and FOCUS on the music. It will blow your mind time after time, with each listen revealing new things.

  • http://www.myspace.com/northwestroyale Blake

    Um… people know that MetalSucks wasn’t the sole composer of this list, right? So it’s not really their fault.

    • FuckinEh

      Thank you for that comment, had i not have read yours first i was gonna say the same thing. Why the fuck are all of you bitching at metalsucks?! You have the list of voters! Bitch at them! Sorry your fuckin local grindcore band didnt get on the list but what the fuck did you expect! Like i’ve read in comments before it isnt the best UNDERGROUND metal albums, its the best METAL albums! Quit fucking bitching! I dont give a fuck if you think Machine Head suck, or Slipknot is overated.Go listen to your music and leave everyone else to enjoy theirs!

  • gibberish

    Although I wish it was higher, I’m ecstatic that this was on here. If this hadn’t made it to this list, I probably would’ve punched every baby in the state of california twice

  • ben

    not a fan.

    • Anselmowitz

      Nope.

    • raiseyerfists

      me neither. kinda boring. in fact, this album bores me so much I can’t even be bothered to have an opinion against it. knew it would be on here though.

  • Ziltoid

    So far, this list seems to be counting down the worst albums since 2000. This list was composed by people who have contributed nothing but shitty music to this world, and people who simply don’t know of any good music. I guarantee you that nothing will be mentioned of actual greats such as Arcturus, Symphony X, Devin Townsend, Tyr, Strapping Young Lad, Primordial, or anyone else who has actually released a good album during this century. This list so far has been comprised of everything that is wrong with metal.

    • whyowhy

      Even Mastodon? The band that represents what’s right with metal?

      • Ziltoid

        Remission is awful, and the rest of their material ranges from boring to decent. Overall, I’m indifferent towards them, but they’re basically metal for people who don’t actually like metal IMO. When I posted my comment, I considered excluding Mastodon, so I guess I should now. There’s nothing really wrong with them, and I wouldn’t mind as much if they picked a newer album, but Remission is quite awful. The rest of this list, however, is truly the worst metal of this century. Hell, Hatebreed and Slipknot aren’t even metal…

        • Miroslav

          True my dear, so true… If Accelerated Evolution isn’t on this list, every one of this “musicians” can kiss my respect for them goodbye…

          • Ziltoid

            Most definitely! That is his best album of this century, followed closely by Ziltoid IMO.

        • jason

          While I would agree on your comments about the list, you lost me when you named a bunch of semi-wanky bands… I like Devin Townsend, but he does not typify to me “what is right with metal”

          • Ziltoid

            Admittedly, prog is my favorite genre of metal, but even so, the only wanky band I listed was Symphony X and Arcturus (and Arcturus only has wanky keyboards). The rest of what I listed really isn’t that wanky. But I disagree about Devin. I think he is everything that is right with metal. He is a passionate, driven musician who doesn’t compromise and is always very creative. Despite the fact that he was the mastermind behind SYL, he never let the idea that “heaviness = good” get into his head, as evidenced by his solo work. His works have always been very diverse, and he is a master at creating the perfect musical atmosphere.

          • Julian

            Come on Ziltiod, Remission is awful yet Devin’s gimmick album is amazing to you? If any of Devin’s albums should top the list it should be Terria, which is the album of the decade for me easily. However, this isn’t a good taste list, it’s mostly a meathead metal lovers list. Machine Head is fucking terrible and belongs nowhere near anything remotely metal related. As soon as Metal falls out of popularity again and something more profitable comes along people will be shitting all over them like they were when The Burning Red was released, and rightly so. The only saving grace to this list is that Leviathan is sure to grab a decently high spot. Not that I give a shit, it’s still interesting to read and I guess that’s why we’re all here bitching ya?

          • Ziltoid

            Julian, as gimmicky as the coffee/alien thing may be, the album was executed perfectly. As I said, he is great at creating a perfect atmosphere, and here is no different. Devin utilizes dynamics very well, and balanced the heavy and the soft parts. The longer songs are especially great. Really, even with the gimmick, it has all of the trademarks of any of his great albums. Also, Terria is a bit underwhelming for me. To really appreciate it, I need to be in the perfect mood for it. It’s rare that I am, but when it happens, Terria also feels like an amazing album. Regardless, I’d be happy if any Devy album is on this list, even though I doubt it.

    • http://www.last.fm/user/BootScraperSean Anger Unmanagement

      Good supporting of Devin, surely your devout enough to own some records? I own over 9000 albums. (thought it was time to bring that back)
      But yes Terria should be placed aswell as Alien.And as much as i love ziltoid, the concept and fucking awesome music behind it, i dont think it will be recognised as amoungst the best albums of the decade. All hail the new Devin!

    • Biff Tanner

      PRIMORDIAL, YES !!!!! ‘To The Nameless Dead’ and ‘The gathering Wilderness’ both deserve to be front runners this decade. So amazing and powerful, while still being very intimate and heartfelt.

  • http://dgmetal.org The Daily Grind

    I’m glad to finally see a great record on this list to end all lists.

  • zhitnik

    I hate commenting on these things because of course it is a matter of opinion, with hardcore fans wanting the album at number 1, and haters wanting to blast every copy of the album into the sun, but my two cents anyway…

    I’m still trying to really get into this album…this is coming from a guy who pretty much lives and breathes 80′s thrash metal. Maybe I am just trying too hard to see why people hold this album in such high regard, or maybe it’s simply because Robb Flynn (ex-Vio-lence) is so involved, but I just can’t give it more than a 7.5/10. Definitely above average, however not high enough to get any serious time in my stereo. And I know I’m gonna get flamed to hell for this, but for whatever reason these guys still sound kind of nu-metal’y and reminiscent of alot of bands that I really didn’t like back in the late 90′s and early 00′s. Although its funny, because sometimes these guys have moments where they come off like Pantera with a monster riff…also some very epic solos, and great guitar work. I think they have great talent and potential, and any one of their next couple albums could be incredible..almost there. I do have to agree that compared to their last few releases, this sounds superb, but that alone doesn’t give it any extra points.

    Oh, and I know this isn’t supposed to sound like 80′s thrash metal, I listen to many other sub-genres of metal as well…guess it just doesn’t ring right with me…peace

  • Dr schwine-hoot

    Name 21 “better” metal albums of 07 then? U butt pirate

    • zhitnik

      I actually think this is at the right place. I mean, we are talking about 9 years of metal here, so a 7.5/10 album would probably fit anywhere in the last 5 or so places on this list.

  • YOURACUNT

    FUCK FUCK FUCK it’s FUCKING number FUCKING one you FUCKING DUMBASS FUCKING CUNTS

  • YOURACUNT

    Sorry that was a bit over the top I just think it sould be a bit higher on the list

    • whyowhy

      lets see what else is on the list, but right now, yah, I can agree it could be two or three spots high than it is. While I’m not a big fan of Machine Head, I’d rather listen to them instead of Killswitch Engage or God Forbid. Speaking of those two bands, they shouldn’t be on the list. I might have accepted them at 21 or 20, but not this high. They better not show up. Damn I got off topic . . .

  • RobotScythe

    Awesome album. Like everyone else I’m surprised by the low ranking on the list. Can’t wait for the shitstorm that’ll happen when the number one is revealed…better not be Gojira again.

    • Ziltoid

      Gojira better not even be on this list, but knowing MS, it probably will…

      • whyowhy

        They didn’t make the list themselves. They and other people not involved with MS voted for the albums

        • phale

          2 gojira, 2 or 3 more mastodon, token meshuggah, protest the hero, thats the top third of the list right there…

          dethalbum will be #1.

          • Keith Brown

            phale has the right idea

    • Steve

      I fully agree about the numer one spot. Reguardless of what it is, there are gonna be hundreds of posts saying it sounds like bjork on meth with heavy distortion. Personally, im a fan of the more commercial metal AS WELL as the more underground. I listen to most types of metal/hard rock, and dont really mind most of the list. I might not’ve chosen them, but fuck it, who really gives a shit. I could type a list of the 100 best albums in recorded history and top it with fuckin Disturbed, but that doesnt make it a fuckin fact (though there is no way in hell i could let myself do that). People need to realize its a bullshit list, as are most lists, so FUCK IT.

    • Steve

      Fully agree bout the number one spot. Reguardless of what it is, therell be hundreds of posts sayin it sounds like bjork on meth through heavy distortion. Personally, id have to say im a fan of commercial metal and underground metal alike. Just cause you like Origin or Wolf doesnt mean you can’t listen to fuckin Machine Head or Mastodon. Open your fuckin minds, you pin-holed bastards. I listen to most metal/hard rock, and sure theres shit i hat, but its commin from both sides of the fuckin divide. And this is just a fuckin list, calm the fuck down. I could make a list of the top 100 albums in recorded history and top it with fuckin Disturbed, but that doesnt make it fuckin true (though i dont think i could let myself do that). FUCK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Steve

        and i hate shitty fuckin computers that say they dont send shit but do. FUCK EM!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • slave_screams

    To say I’m surprised that this album only made number 16 is a huge understatement – Particularly when you take into account that this list is comprised of albums from just the past 9 years or so – This record was hailed unanamously by fans and critics alike as one of, if not THE best album of 2007 – Regardless what genre of metal you listen to, be it death metal, grindcore or prog rock, this disc has found a home in most metal fans collection – Machine Head had made two quality records prior to this, (Burn my eyes and Thru The Ashes) but this was definately a band at its craetive peak – I could pretty much have guaranteed that Meshuggah (Obzen) Opeth (Watershed) Gojira (From Mars to Serius) would be in the top 5 or so in this list and I would have had this at least in the top 10…. I await what has been considered to be the 15 albums that are better this one

    • SassyB

      Blackwater Park>Watershed

      • slave_screams

        You can bet that it will be on the list too, no doubt, great record

      • http://baroquebleakbrutal.blogspot.com Eric Hanson

        I’ve been struggling with that one, too. Opeth has released a lot of quality shit this decade, all of which deserves inclusion on a list of good things. Just not sure which of that shit should get top honors.

  • http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com Jimmy

    *holding out for Dillinger Escape Plan, Genghis Tron, and Protest The Hero to appear*

    • dr j

      If Calculating Infinity isn’t on there that will be the only tihng I would complain about. That album started a new genre.

      • jason

        Calculating will miss the cut by only a few months…it came out in ’99

        • slave_screams

          Ire works will be there and then there will be uproar why Miss Machine wasn’t
          instead

  • http://lordsofmetal.nl/index.php?lang=en Wieleraar

    Ugh… Machine Head is so overrated! Nothing but boring and uninteresting groove metal!
    Put some Exodus on this list, please.

  • g

    rob flynn rips off whatever style of metal is popular at the moment

    and he doesnt even do a good job
    fuck machine head

    • Anthony

      While I like this album and Machine Head, I do agree. You can really argue that Machine Head sold out twice. Not only did they start playing numetal-like stuff when that style of music was really popular, but they also stopped playing it when it wasn’t popular and started playing more Thrashy type stuff when the neo-Thrash revival with Lamb of God, KsE, Chimaira, and As I Lay Dying became big.

      • whyowhy

        Funny, I was thinking the same thing, but then thought, fuck it, at least they’re not playing nu metal

  • tyler09

    im pretty sure Rob Flynn hopes that the three guys above me burn in hell

    • Fizzy G

      I’m sure he’ll write a song about it.

      • joshkid

        he says in Aesthetics of Hate “I hope you burn in hell”

        • tyler09

          thats what i was hinting at lol

  • Jimmy Joe

    How did a Hatebreed rip off band get higher on the list than Hatebreed? This is horse shit.

    • GraZmus

      Hatebreed Ripoff? Machine Head?..

      Machine Head started in Early 90′s… and sound nothing like Hatebreed..

      Stay of the Drugs pal.

      • Ziltoid

        Yeah, MH is more of a failed attempt at ripping off Pantera. And Pantera is awful enough to begin with.

        • buttplug.

          trolled.

        • whyowhy

          You lost all credibility saying Pantera is awful

        • Kris

          I fucking hate you.

    • tyler09

      wow. you are retarded. you should probably go kill yourself for that supid comment

  • jason

    Here to hoping “Beyond the Permafrost” sees a top 10 ranking…

    • http://lordsofmetal.nl/index.php?lang=en Cavorka

      Don’t count on it, Skeletonwitch is too metal for this list.

      • Keith Brown

        Also, they’re kinda lame

        • Demonomania

          Jason is right as reign. Beyond the Permafrost should be in the top 10, but unfortunately, Cavorka is right, too. It wouldn’t have cracked the top 50 given the quality so far. IMO, this (Machine Head) is the best album to make the list (I prefer Leviathan to Remission), but we won’t see a smidgen of Enslaved (pick any of Isa, Ruun, or Vertebrae), Absu’s s/t, Wetnurse… everyone is talking at least 2 Opeth’s and 2 Gojira’s, plus you know there will be more core stuff… what about Kylesa? What about Baroness’ Red? Everyone will laugh, but what about something as creative and (gasp) beautiful as Alcest (or WitTR or Livelover or …? I know something as tr00 as Krallice would never make the list, but it is the total absence of bands like I just mentioned and the all-inclusiveness of ‘mall/metalcore’ training wheels stuff that is infuriating. I think Opeth is the best a true metal fan can hope for so far as this list is concerned. Hell, Amon Amarth would nearly outclass what’s been offered so far and they’re about as original as Goblin Cock… and they’re not even trying! Alas, I even think Genghis Tron will fall victim to the Psychoprick panel of Z103.5 DJs.

  • Fufkin

    This is one of only two albums that I’ve ever wanted to like more so I could justify buying the t-shirt with the art on. I didn’t like it enough for that and had exactly the same shortfall with Andrew Ridgeley’s Son Of Albert.

  • masterofsin

    all of these albums are billboard stuff from big bands. where are all the smaller underground albums???

    • yanky

      surprise, surprise
      noone knows those dudes who play at your local bar (and local bar only)
      these are the albums people will still give a shit about in twenty years from now (hopefully)

      • Fizzy G

        I feel bad for music twenty years from now if THIS is what’s going to influence them.

        …and do I see a thinly veiled variant of the “this band is more popular, therefore better” argument? I’m not even going to go into how much of a fallacy that one is.

        • yanky

          this list in the 80s would have had master of puppets and regin in blood
          not the super heavy and keeping it real “blood blood blood” by noone gave a fuck in the 80s and that hasnt changed shit

          • Fizzy G

            The fact that Venom’s “Black Metal”, Possessed’s “Seven Churches” and Death’s “Scream Bloody Gore” have influenced countless bands both throughout the 90s and today would beg to differ.

        • joshkid

          Dude, I would be really pleased if music in 20 years was influenced by these bands especially MH, all the bands meanwhile are at the very least “good” and some are even awesome. Who knows what the fuck is gonna be in twenty years, hopefully we’ll still have some kickass metal around then!

        • SourDeez

          It’s almost as ridiculous as the “this band is less popular, therefore better” argument.

      • dthrasher

        there is a huge difference between “underground” and local bar shit. album sales do not reflect album quality.

        • Fizzy G

          Thank you.

          I’ve been saying for a long time that this level of success in music (or any art form really) has less to do with creative talent and far more to do with marketing expertise and/or luck. You can make even the shittiest album on the planet popular by knowing how to market it.

          • joshkid

            fuck album sales! did “The Blackening” go multi fuckin platinum NO! It’s just a fuckin awesome metal album period.

        • dthrasher

          oh yea, i didn’t mean this as a dig at machine head, i was just pointing out that its a flawed argument.

  • Fizzy G

    God, this list is horrible. What’s next, The Cruade?

    • Fizzy G

      *Crusade

      • Ziltoid

        BOAT!

    • tyler09

      It would fit. I didnt think the Crusade was that bad. It wasnt the best but it was okay

    • http://www.last.fm/user/BootScraperSean Anger Unmanagement

      Jesus willy christ. Dont even joke about it.

  • politude

    I really like this album, so far we have gotten either things that just shouldn’t be on the list or debut albums, I can finally smile at a selection. Listening to the album from beginning to end shows so much complexity from MH, and to all the haters, it’s kinda hard to justify your responses as this was heavily acclaimed by every metal outlet, to each his own I guess.

    • Fizzy G

      Because we need to totally justify our own opinions based on the opinions of journalists right?

      • politude

        No, but let’s say I see a critically acclaimed album, I listen to it see if it’s for me, instead of beating a dead horse and ragging on it till the end of time.

  • JRTME

    I bought this album about 7 months ago. Why? Cause everyone raved about it. Zhitnik. pretty much said it.

    It doesn’t add up to me. I have tried listening to it many times. While it doesn’t suck. I just don’t get what is so great about it?

    So help me out here with the “Magic” of this album.

    I’m not being an ass I’m really asking.

  • Tonka

    Crossing my fingers for BTBAM (Colors and Alaska) and Protest (Fortress and Kezia) to come in high on this list.

  • Fucktard

    This site is great, but it’s full of fuckin douche bags. Not sayin all of ya are, just most of ya…

    The Blackening disserved at least a top 10 finish.

    • slave_screams

      Compared to Blabbermouth, most of the comments here are informed – People are passionate about their music, which is a good thing – You will also get someone who is pissed that their favourite obscure band didn’t feature, but you have to look who is craeting the list, its mainly folk from the more ‘mainstream’ side of metal, if there is such a thing – people seem to forget that outside of metal fans no one has the faintest idea of who half of these bands are, people calling Mastodon and Gojira mainstream is hilarious when 95% of the music population have no idea who they are – You think the reaction to Machine Head only getting to number 16 is bad? Wait till you see Protest the Hero/Between the Buried and me/Genghis Tron/Dillinger Escape Plan make the list, the comments will be flying all over the shop then! And for the record, I hope 3/4 of those bands do make the list, could never get into Genghis Tron.

      • Fucktard

        Compared to Blabbermouth and most any other site for that matter, the comments here are more informed. That’s why I like it here; everyone isn’t a little fuckin basement troll looking to shit on someone else’s favorite band… But I still reserve the right to call people douche bags if I wanna, even if it is for no good reason… I just got off of fuckin work, so my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders, so you’ll have to excuse any farting my brain decides to let out…. Anyshit, back on topic…

        You made lots of good points Mr. Slave. It always amazes me to see how fast a band get cut down by the so called “underground” as soon as they become the slightest bit popular within the metal community. I Could ask everyone I ever meet on a daily bases for the next year if they know who Dillinger or Gojira or even Lamb of God or Mastodon are, and maybe less that 5 percent would know what the fuck I was talking about… Let me spell it out for the short bus kids that like trying to read… Music should be about MUSIC and nothing else. Nothing but the song writing, the skill it takes to actually play the fucking instruments and the heart and soul you put into those instruments. Not if the band makes the top 10, not if only 3 people know about the band other then you and your jerkoff buddies, just the fucking music… My brain is proceeding to take a shit on me, now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go get a couple hours of sleep before I’ve got to start my second job…

        Peace and chicken Grease fuckers.

        • i think

          you two are right.. and Tim is a cunt

        • Kris

          slave and fucktard are 100% right.

  • joshkid

    I knew this was gonna be here, thank god! Such an amazing album (and yes I thought it would chart waayyy higher), definitely MH’s best, pretty hard to top this one.
    They kickass live too!

  • Michael

    I can’t believe this is the same band that released Supercharger. What a horrible album. I am a Machine Head fan, and I think …the more things change is a good album too. It always seems to be over looked.

  • jackattack

    It truly entertains me when a commenter lists their top 21 as if any of us really give a shit.

    • Fizzy G

      Has anyone actually even DONE that?

      • jackattack

        Yes. It happened in the first few threads, with many other people mentioning what they want on here.

  • 36thoughtless

    This pick is a dark horse for me; I didn’t expect it, though it is very good.

    • http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8345/outside21.jpg Revrant

      You didn’t expect a suddenly more popular thrash band that people previously didn’t care about to rank?

      C’mon, you and I have been watching far too long to think that.

  • http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8345/outside21.jpg Revrant

    I didn’t expect them to rank this low, but seeing as how they’ve returned to trendy thanks in no small part to The Blackening I did expect them, and I wouldn’t really call this one of the best metal albums ever, but you can sit down and listen to it.

    Which is something I can’t say for the others so far.

  • Tanner

    I want to see Solitude Aeturnus – Alone make the list. That’d be mind fuckingly killer

  • iLol

    so far this is the only album on this (shitty) list i agree with

    should have been higher

  • \m/Eluveitie\m/

    All American bands to this point huh?

    • Dave

      “All shitty American bands to this point huh?”

      Fixed

      Whats next, a Static-X album? Maybe Death Magnetic! No wait, I got it…the rest of the list should just be Wigger Slam and Scream-Crunk bands!

    • tjangles

      not just american bands, but SHITTY american bands

      • tjangles

        damn it, beaten barely to it

    • dthrasher

      America, fuck yea!

  • rayray

    this should be top 5. Easily. One of the albums I still consistently listen to every day. Incredible fucking album. Will be in my top 5 for many years to come.

  • tiagón

    great album AND review.

  • zackage

    Machine Head has some really cool riffs but I will never be able to get over how atrocious Robb Flynn’s vocals are. So irritating.

    • joshkid

      dude, he has one of the more distinctive and cooler screams than most metal vocalists. I actually put him up there as one of the better metal screamers, and his singing vocals are pretty awesome too!

      • joshkid

        except if you “only” listen to bands that don’t have screaming/growling, then youre fucked

    • Sven

      Absolutely. He’s a friggin’ mush mouth.

      “let freedom ring with a shotgun BRRRRASSSST!”

      It’s like he’s got a mouth full of cereal when he does vocals.

  • Kirsten

    Amazingness. I fucking love this album.

  • CYN1C

    This is our generation’s Master of Puppets. This should have been #1, what a robbery this turned out to be.

    • jason

      C’mon man, this is not your generation’s MoP….
      if you were still in diapers when it came out, you have no idea how MoP shaped everything to come after it.

      • phale

        pretty sure aenima is my generations master of puppets. are we on a new generation by now?

  • uLy

    By far the best Machine Head album and I definitely thought this would have made top 10. 16? Damn, I’m curious to see what’s coming.

  • plumber

    Its funny how seriously people are talking this list which is based on the opinions of 60 odd bloggers, music industry types and musicians (especially considering its a North American-centric list). That’s a pretty miniscule sample size to get all bent out of shape regarding the results. And chances are the results are going to be things found on various “best of” year end lists over the past nine years. Don’t expect any surprises (I suspect it will be a fairly mainstream list), even though bands like Baroness, Torche, Skeletonwitch, Pig Destroyer, etc… all got lots of respect.

    I do enjoy The Blackening, its pretty listenable. I thought based on media hype it would be rated higher on this list. Considering what’s on the list, I think its definately deserving. I never thought Machinehead had this album in them (sure I’m not the only one), perhaps that’s why it got such rave reviews. I liked them when they first appeared on the scene but after album to the lost the fucking point to where they were totally unlistenable (and this comes from a dude who will give just about anything at least a listen). That kind of makes me feel not as strongly as some about this album…is it insincere? Coming from a band that has changed its stlye to fit trends. Or did Mr.Flynn just get his head straightened on and go back to his 80s thrash roots. Regardless, it is definately a rebirth for the band a chance for them to continue to contribute relevant music to the metal world.

    The thing I found funniest in all the comments is that this isn’t a metal album…that’s laughable. No matter how much you hate this album/band…its metal without question. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents.

    • plumber

      but after album *two, they* lost… (oops)

    • dthrasher

      tldr

  • DM

    #16? Can’t wait to see #1. Must be DragonForce.

    • gibberish

      Wow. Hadn’t thought of that. I wouldn’t be surprised, actually XD

  • Dan

    I’m hoping Hail Destroyer will show up at some point here.

    • jonowev

      By the Cancer Bats? It’s a decent album, but top 20? PAHAHAHAHAHAH.

      • Dan

        well freaking Slipknot made in there so anything’s possible.

  • bradican

    hmmm they should be at least around 9th or 8th

  • seveword

    I WANT BEHEMOTH
    I WANT TYPE O NEGATIVE (fuck you, Life is Killing Me is a great CD, metal or no)
    I WANT TESTAMENT
    I WANT VADER
    I WANT ENTOMBED
    I WANT ENSLAVED
    I WANT NILE
    I WANT ENCHILADAS

    I bought the Blackening, listened to it, and it got old in about a week.
    My opinion is more right than yours.

  • james

    you think y’all are bitching now——wait until Death Magnetic makes it into the top 3. Which would basically kill the list for me—but anyhow its been fun reading all the “this is/isn’t real metal” comments. Where’s Solient Green- confrontation????

    • Carnage9

      +1 for Soilent Green. I hope Witchcult Today makes it too. its doubtful tho.

      • http://www.last.fm/user/BootScraperSean Anger Unmanagement

        I bought witchcult today, to support the band mainly because they came from the mighty Dorset, and i tried to get into it really, but it just didnt do it for me… Heard of Soilent green and made a note to check them out, yet to do so, i think i might check the internets now…

  • Phillip

    Wow, I’m disappointed. This really should be in the top 5.

  • Mancubus

    I never expected this album to be that controversial. So The Burning Red and Supercharger were awful even by nu metal standards, their other four albums were still solid. Machine Head gets way too much hate despite redeeming themselves by returning to their older sound. And yes, bands can recover from selling out.

  • jonowev

    This is WAY too low. Should be in the top three.

  • Nordic

    Should have been in the low top 100 but not even fucking close to top 20 for sure!

  • jonowev

    This list needs some grind.

  • bucketochicken

    Tim is a poser.

    • iolanach

      Tim has better taste in metal then 95% of the people voted for this shitty album.

      • iolanach

        it’s “95% of the people who voted for…” of course.

        • bucketochicken

          Pooooooooooooooooooooooooser.

    • Kris

      Tim’s a major duece bag.

  • McQueen

    The Blackening is nowhere near as good as The Burning Red or Through the Ashes of Empires

  • http://www.twitter.com/waynegraham Wayne

    No griping here….killer record.

  • Jonny Fucker

    IF YOU THINK THIS IS THE BEST MACHINE HEAD ALBUM, OR THAT IT IS THIS GENERATIONS ‘MASTER OF PUPPETS’ , YOU ARE INDEED VERY GAY.

    FUCK THIS BULLSHIT ALBUM BY THIS BULLSHIT BAND THAT LONG AGO PROVED THEMSELVES TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN BANDWAGON JUMPING POSERS.

    IF YOU THINK THEM RECORDING AN ALBUM LIKE THIS AT A TIME WHEN RETRO BULLSHIT IS POPULAR IS ANY DIFFERENT TO THEM RECORDING RAP-METAL BULLSHIT WHE N THAT WAS POPULAR, YOU ARE A MASSIVE FUCKING IDIOT AND BASICALLY A DRAIN ON HUMANITY.

    KILL YOURSELF.

    • http://www.last.fm/user/BootScraperSean Anger Unmanagement

      I think someone is typing whilst on the toilet…

    • GROG

      GRRRRR. I ANGRY MAN. ME CAP LOCKS KEY STUCK. ME GO BACK TO TRY FUCK ROCK. UGGGG

  • http://baroquebleakbrutal.blogspot.com Eric Hanson

    “Machine Head stormed back with a resounding shotgun blast”

    I see what you did there.

  • http://www.coreymitchell.com Corey Mitchell

    Great album, but I definitely prefer Through the Ashes of Empires.

  • Pantallica

    Wow, i thought this would make atleast top 10 maybe top 5

  • http://www.anlace.org Gothian

    I’m starting to think….. What would be #1?….. I’m almost sure that the #1 CD is going to break the comments record so far

  • raul

    Metal Sucks really does suck…This should be number #1…but i guess you faggots probably will make ATTACK ATTACK #1 pussy’s….MACHINE HEAD BITCH!

    • El Trutho

      more people than the MS crew voted, homes. But its understandable, only a HUGE douche-fag would miss the list of voters at the end of EVERY CD THUS FAR!!!!!!! Just pop a few ambien, put on your Dragonforce cd, and try to crank one out before you pass out in your car bed, fucktard

    • http://148gb.blogspot.com loganarchy

      Why don’t you guys understand that if they put this as number 16, then number 1 is probably gonna be AMAZING? Add to that the fact they put Nachtmystium as number 15…

  • Charlie B

    Only thing I will say is at least they are metal unlike a few of the earlier choices.

  • iolanach

    Another mediocre album.

  • http://www.myspace.com/437666934 Noel

    it seems every ones opinion is sooo overbaring. people are flipping out over this miniscule shit. calm down and make a website and pole all your loser acne infested friends and yall can gripe about YOUR list. how bout that?

    this isnt the 21 commandments, a sacred list assembled by Zeus`s League Of Metal Deciders!!!!! so, just enjoy seeing what comes of it…capeesh???

  • Fucktard

    I usually don’t get in the “it’s not metal!” discussion, mainly because it’s a fucking retarded argument perpetrated by fucking retards. (Point and case I’m talking about it) But the next person that says Slipknot or any of what you consider “nu metal” isn’t metal, think about this… Try playing Maiden or Priest for any of the non metal normal people you know, then put on any Slipknot song that isn’t vermillion part 2 and see witch one scares the shit out of them. Just because a band is popular or you don’t like them, doesn’t make them “not metal”. It just means you don’t like them and you should shut the fuck up and try to respect something you don’t fully “get”…

    Now that I’ve got that off my chest I would like to share with you the following… Sarah Palin is a annoying cross eyed bitch, Obama looks like E.T. and a chimp had a love child, and all your mothers blew because they needed the money…

    Enjoy the rest of your day’s cocksuckers.

    • sYgnal

      The only thing I didn’t or don’t get about SlipCock…er,BalloonKnot, um I mean SlipKnot is why it takes 10+ musicians to make the same shitty music that 4 people could!

      • Fucktard

        Very well put together argument. Point taken my friend… I like Cephalic Carnage and Meshuggah too, anything you wanna say about them?…

        • sYgnal

          Yea… Extreme doesn’t always equate to Good?

          • Fucktard

            You are more then right about that my friend… I love Black Sabbath, Motorhead, High on Fire, Tool and Neurosis… Any thoughts on those bands…?

      • http://148gb.blogspot.com loganarchy

        Good point; 4 people probably could make the same music that they do, but having 9 members contributes to their live show and overall persona. If Slipknot consisted of 4 members I doubt their albums would go Gold.

        • sYgnal

          “love Black Sabbath, Motorhead, High on Fire, Tool and Neurosis… Any thoughts on those bands…?”

          Hmmm… No matter what anyone has told you, Less is NOT more.

          • Fucktard

            Ok, any other words of wisdom you want to share with the Metal Sucks community? Got any tips on wiping my ass?.. That’s proven tricky for me over the years. Please share all the insightful wit you’re willing to part with. Or better yet, try to have an actual conversation with someone rather then acting like that your opinion is the only one to have.

          • sYgnal

            Wow… you asked me if I had any thoughts. Those were the only positive & constructive thoughts I could give you considering you mentioned some bands that I don’t care for. Now if you really want a conversation about the bands you listed then go visit the forums for those bands where people actually give a shit that you like them.

            As for wiping your ass, if you use your hand just don’t give anyone a high-five before washing.

          • Fucktard

            Wow is right dude… I’m impressed with your comeback. I just wish you didn’t start shit and tried to have a civil conversation with me. That’s what my point was, if you or anybody doesn’t like the same bands I do, I’m more then fine with that, nobody has control over what gets their blood pumping. I just wish the metal community as a whole would be more civil with its arguments, rather than beating each other over the head with immature, trite bullshit. I could talk about this for days, but I’m sure you’re tired of coming back to this post, and just want me to shut the fuck up now, so I’ll do just that…

            Thanks for the ass wiping tips, I don’t high five ever since I stopped riding the short bus, but it’s good to see you care…

          • sYgnal

            The fact that you could read so deeply into my one-liners and actually get so easily offended leaves me puzzled. I wasn’t starting shit,sure, I may have been a little bit of a smart ass but I wasn’t about to get into a “Metal” discussion because you seem to be pretty adamant about only retards having those discussions. Plus, Mr. Civility, one could be offended by your constant references to the mental handicapped who have no choice of their particular ailment. You seem to want congruence,yet, you spew forth vile & hatred towards anyone who feels like posting their opinion however passionate or articulate it may be.

            BUT, I can start a discussion if ya like… Personally, I think the band Motorhead is way overrated & I’d prefer listening to Iron Maiden’s “Iron Maiden” & “Killers” constantly for days before I would ever pop in any one of their “boring-as-fuck” CDs.

          • Fucktard

            I could write about 4 paragraphs about what you said but I don’t want to put the time or effort into it… I will say that I wasn’t making fun of anyone with a mental affliction, I was being self deprecating to maybe try and make you or any passing bystanders get a cheap laugh. I’m truly sorry if I offended any of the retards you know, but I am kind of fucked in the head if you haven’t took note by now, I’ve got some actual metal problems that I don’t really want to get into with a random internet dude. And sorry again if my skin is to thin for your taste, it tends to fuck with me when someone insults the music that means everything to me. Especially someone that appears to be a metal head, because in my mind, if we can’t be civil with each other and show some sort of respect for each other then who the fuck can?…

            Anyway, my wish was to start a civil conversation, and it seems you’re trying to do so… But I’ve gotta say I don’t feel like carrying on a conversation with you anymore. We’re obviously on 2 different pages. You seem to be a smart enough guy, that likes Maiden, and those are 2 pretty awesome things in my book, and I tend to agree with you about Motorhead being overrated, but I still like em, and a shit load of other bands you don’t like, so I’m gonna go my separate way now… One more thing I will say if you wanna try to have a conversation with my crazy ass, is I am kind of curious as to what other bands you like, not to be a smart ass or anything, just to see if we have anything else in common… If you don’t care, fair enough.

          • sYgnal

            Well.. My sympathies go out to you about your mental illness because I,too, have had bouts & I don’t blame you for not airing those personal things on this here anonymous forum. It’s nobodies business.

            Unfortunately, I’m one picky motherfucker when it comes to music never mind Metal. I have a hard time listening to the “classics” probably because I wore ‘em the fuck out. Nowadays, I’m on the losing end of Metal debates because I like Fusion and, recently, the great resurgence in Thrash. Probably because all that extreme shit has started to sound too much alike(Same Equipment, Same Engineer) and nothing has really moved me since Opeth Blackwater Park, Necrophagist Onset… & Neuraxis Trilateral Progression… SO, for bands I dig:

            Cynic
            Exivious
            Spaced Out
            Municipal Waste
            Atheist (ofcourse)
            Lazarus AD (is new to me but I like em)
            Spiral Architect
            Believer (Their new album is pretty sick)
            DEATH

            Just to name a few…

          • Fucktard

            Thanks for not acting like a dick and makin me talk about my mental issues dude, all joking aside…

            You’ve got great fucking taste. I’ve never really been into Cynic, I think their great at what they do, but I can’t call myself a fan… Other then that, Blackwater Park is my favorite Opeth album, and no one can say enough good things about Death or Atheist. What they did for the genre will never be duplicated… As for the new Thrash movement, I can’t say that I’m really into it, not because I don’t like what the bands are doing, it’s mainly because I’m still stuck on Exodus and Sepultura…I don’t really know what else to say, I’m kind of burnt the fuck out at the moment from working two jobs, and I don’t really know what to make us having so many parallels taste wise… I’m seriously getting into most of the bands you’re already into, w t f… I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, we do both like metal after all, and we’re on the same fucking site… Anyshit…

            Thanks again for ending this on a good note dude, I hope all is well with you and yours…

            I’m gonna go pig out on pizza and beer now…

          • phale

            its too bad we still chemically sterilize the mentally ill. you two would have the cutest story to tell your children someday.

  • SourDeez

    The Blackening is pretty good, but I do think it’s overrated. When it came out everyone acted like Machine Head had just reinvented the wheel, cured cancer, found Jimmy Hoffa’s body, and released the perfect metal album. What it is is solid. Very solid. I think the massive hype over this album actually came from the fact that they sucked for so long. So if there’s anything this album shows us, it’s that if you’re in a band and you want everyone to think you made a masterpiece, you should make a few shitty albums on purpose so that your good one sounds great.

    On a side note, I really hope Type O Negative’s Dead Again makes it onto this list. That album really surprised me. I always thought they were pretty good but that album is amazing, and especially impressive for a band that’s been around for so long.

  • grymmbear

    This album makes me chub.

    Good to see it on here.

  • Leviathan696

    fucking amazing album… definitely deserves to be here but maybe a little hgher

  • Kris

    I figured it would be higher,in all honesty I never really got into this one.I like Burn my Eyes and The More Things Change more.
    I expect (and hope) #1 will be Blackwater Park by Opeth.

    • phale

      still life>blackwater park

  • Bullhead

    “The album finds Machine Head striking a pointed mix of technicality”

    Yeah the album 9 minute songs so that means it must be technical and good??? This is one of 2007′s worst albums and one of the worst albums of the 21 century. Seriously.