Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
Wednesday July 18, 2018 :
It’s been 3 long years awaiting the return of American Metal giants MACHINE HEAD to our far away Australian shores, but Holy Shit, it was seriously more than worth the wait!
Since their last visit, they released their latest offering CATHARSIS, an album that does take a few listens to really get the vibe, however, an absolutely mind blowing album full of heavy gems, epic riffage, blistering solos, great ballads and a unique surprise or two also. Despite the well-publicised mixed views on the new album, the Brisbane crowd was eager and hungry to witness the magic of a live MACHINE HEAD show, and the boys never ever disappoint!
Kicking off the show with fan favourite and explosive opener ‘Imperium’, the crowd went into an absolute frenzy, and not to let up, they followed this with heavy hitters ‘Volatile’, ‘Now We Die’ and ‘Beautiful Mourning’.
The band is an absolute beast live, a finely tuned machine that have honed their craft for over 2 decades, and their live show is 110% energetic, relentless and flawless from start to finish.
Singer/ Guitarist Robb Flynn is totally in his element when it comes to being the front man, always engaging with the audience, “Circle pit, Circle pit” or “Headbag Motherfucker!!”. Many a classic MFH song was played; ‘Ten Ton Hammer’, ‘Davidian’, ‘Locust’, ‘Bulldozer’, and ‘Old’.
It was great to hear new track ‘Tripe Beam’ with its brutal chugging riffs, epic Blackening album opener ‘Clenching The Fits of Dissent’ was an awesome and welcome surprise, ‘Darkness Within’, along with massive crowd sing along at the end of the song was the biggest goose bumps moment of the night, and of course set closer ‘Halo’ was so heavy yet so haunting.
The band tore through their 3 hour set without a hitch, and probably could have played another hour or two, with their now very large back catalogue. A heavy metal band that can tour the globe on their own, play for 3 hours each night with no support acts, just “An Evening With Machine Head” is a refreshing concept, and one that Bay Area Metallers, Machine Head totally own !!!
All hail Machine “FUCKING” Head !!!
Review and Photographer : Davey Rintala
