Machine Head - The More Things Change
1997 Roadrunner Records
by Skin Splitter

Quick Summary:
"From what I've heard about this album, it's going to knock you on your ass!"  That is the direct quote I heard from a college underground radio station when I was a lad (back when I listened to the radio, but hey, where else can you hear death metal on the radio anymore commuting to work?).  So, to be a cool kid, I went out and bought it.  What a disappointment this was!  This is by far the worst release by Machine Head ever.  There are about two good riffs on this album and that's it.  The songs are boring at best.  Simple to play, UN-original lyrics, and annoying harmonics that make you want to put your foot though the speaker.

Let me put it to you this way.  When I bought my guitar (Ibanez 7-string), I had no guitar experience.  I was able to play this entire album in under a month.  Yes, that's right kids.  One month.  After 7 years, almost all Cannibal Corpse songs they play, I STILL can't even come CLOSE to playing!  Take it from me.  If you want to be famous, go buy a guitar.  Tune it to the key of "B".  Then, grow their hair long, play this crap, and jump around and you'll stumble into stardom.  Just like they did!  Cause hey, from a direct quote from Machine Head, they "play until their hands are all infected and full of pus, then smoke humongous amounts of weed...”  Good to know that it took pus (and not blood) and bong resin to make an album rock as hard as this one does.

Website:  www.machinehead1.com

Song Summaries:

1. Ten Ton Hammer - The best song on the album.  Funny that the best riff to this song is only 2 NOTES!  C-
2. Take My Scars - The most annoying intro ever created, and they put it on EVERY single off of this album!  Smart.  F
3. Struck A Nerve - The more things change, the more they suck the same...  F
4. Down To None - Third best song on the album.  O.k. creepy intro.  I'll make it simple.  Listen to the first 2 minutes.  Then fast forward to 3:58 for a nice breakdown.  At 4:38 it's over.  Skip to the next song...  D+
5. Frontlines - Its bands like these that let you realize how good SLAYER really is.  F
6. Spine - "I see right through your soul".  Well, I see right where your career is going...  F
7. Bay Of Pigs - A fast paced song, but it doesn’t change...The more things change right?  F
8. Violate - Second best song on the album.  Not bad palm muting technique, but it's still simple to play, listen to and unoriginal.  D
9. Blistering - Fitting intro.  It is like drilling teeth isn't it?  I have blistering too...from my ass!  F
10. Blood Of The Zodiac - And it's over.  If I had any children, they would stand up and claim "You have just disrespected me and my family".  I personally apologize on behalf of the band for anyone who bought this and thought it was good...  F

Average Song Rating:  D-
Overall Album Rating:  F

Also be sure to read:
Machine Head - Burn My Eyes by Horatio