Machine Head
14th July 2018
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.
Once in a blue moon, there comes along a show that can often be summed up with one word. Tonight it was Machine Head. And that word was relentless. On only their third visit to our shores – their most recent being that of the sold out 2015 tour – Machine Head delivered a show that their fans in attendance tonight would never forget.
Unlike most shows doors opened early and there was no support band in sight; but with the promo material for this Catharsis World Tour promising a three hour show it was easy to see why. An impressive stage set-up which included a high drum riser to hold McClain’s megaladon of a kit greeted punters as they slid through the doors; a tidal wave of black flowing towards the front barrier and jostling for position. With a discography that includes nine studio albums, the anticipation was high for just what would make the cut.
As the lights faded the stage came to life; swirling smoke filtered by muted blues under a roar from the crowd that vibrated through the very floor beneath their feet. Arriving in their uniform of disheveled denim that embraced the blurred lines of grey and black and the roar of the crowd grew stronger, fists punctuating the air like full stops. While lead vocalist Robb Flynn may now be the bands only remaining founding member since their inception in 1991, Machine Head’s current line-up still holds well over a decade or two of history together; their ‘youngest’ member former Sanctity guitarist bassist Jared MacEachern slotting right in and easily proving his worth over the last five years.
Unleashing ‘Imperium’ from their 2003 album Through the Ashes of Empires and the room imploded, the fans down in front determined to prove through both their vocals and body language just how much they appreciated Machine Head being here tonight. Despite executing what was reported to be a mind-blowing set in Christchurch just the night before, Flynn and the boys showed absolutely no sign of fatigue, smashing out the first quarter of the set with such unbridled strength that it almost physically pushed the crowd backwards; tracks such as ‘Now We Die’ and ‘The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears from one of their earlier albums 1999’s The Burning Red, churning the crowd up and spitting them back out. Following a devastating guitar solo Flynn took to the mic for the first time of the evening, pointing out that while it may only be their third time in New Zealand, the band were impressed to see that their New Zealand fans were still “as rowdy as ever”. Moving into slightly darker territory, Flynn spoke of how each and every person present has a little darkness in themselves and that music – and more specifically this type of “angry” music – is what brings everyone together and keeps them alive; the solidarity in that one moment between band and fans was unmistakable; Flynn’s predominantly solo performance of ‘Darkness Within’ heart-wrenching.
Continuing on with their pulverizing performance Machine Head delivered the title track from their latest album released at the beginning of the year; while the album itself has received mixed reviews from many a critic the track was received well, although it was undoubtedly the material from both their debut album Burn My Eyes and 2007’s The Blackening that saw the crowd tonight almost cannibalise itself as they moshed, head banged and circle pitted to within an inch of their lives; McClain’s often unrelenting blast beats driving them on. In between the epic twenty three track set list were scattered moments of sheer beauty; guitar solos from both Phil Demmel and Robb Flynn displaying their obvious prowess (there was even a stunning duel between the two) while McCain’s drum solo – complete with strobe lighting – featured a heavy dose of cow bell, which no self-respecting drum solo would be complete without.
The only small thorn of the evening being that of ‘Triple Beam’ – again from their latest album Catharsis which sadly came across just as cheesy and dated as it does on the album, despite Flynn’s animated delivery; luckily it was quickly erased by a rather unexpected but heavily embraced impromptu partial cover of Alice In Chain’s ‘Would’.
Finishing with a one-two-three punch to the gut that included the outstanding ‘Aesthetics of Hate’ (dedicated to Dimebag Darrel), ‘Blood for Blood’ and a larger-than-life version of their final track of the night ‘Halo’; Machine Head were given an ovation worthy of royalty.
Not bad for a bunch of angry old dudes.
Setlist:
- Imperium
- Volatile
- Now We Die
- Beautiful Mourning
- The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears
- Crashing Around You
- Darkness Within
- Catharsis
- From This Day
- Ten Ton Hammer
- Is There Anybody Out There?
- Locust
- Beyond The Pale
- Bulldozer
- Killers & Kings
- Davidian
- Descend The Shades Of Night
- None But My Own
- Triple Beam
- Aesthetics Of Hate
- Game Over
- Blood For Blood
- Halo
If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.