Reviewed: August 1999
Released: 1999, Roadrunner
Rating: 1.0/5
Reviewer: David Lee

The only thing keeping this from being a perfect album is the fact that I have followed Robert Flynn since his VIOLENCE days and this is far away from anything that he has ever done before and, in this case, that is not a good thing. The largest objection that I have is to the overall KORN-ish (ed. note: fucking garbage) sound of “THE BURNING RED.” Flynn is no rapper and he should stick to what he has always done best, that being, screaming his ass off driving home whatever lyrical point that he had on his mind at that point in time, this comes off a bit contrived.

“The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears” is the albums best attempt to fit into the swelling fanbase of label mates FEAR FACTORY and it succeeds in doing that but again, it is not traditional MACHINE HEAD. The two tracks that have most purist up in arms are “Silver” which is a soulful “ballad” that is just too catchy to be missed by radio and “Message In a Bottle.” Covering THE POLICE’s “Message In a Bottle” would have worked for any middle of the road artist but should be beefed up a whole lot more than it is here if Flynn has any intention of keeping the fans he has amassed over the last several years. “I Defy” is classic MACHINE HEAD and sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the rest.

Like I said, I have watched Flynn and enjoyed each step forward he has made but this is a step back and just as he was really standing out from the crowd.

Videos

No Videos Available

Track Listing:

Lineup:

Websites: