Artist: MACHINE HEAD
Album: BURN MY EYES (CD)

Release date: 1994
EAN/UPS: 16861901622
Media type: CD

Burn My Eyes is the debut album by Oakland groove metal band Machine Head. Its themes generally tie into the social disorder and corresponding inner tension that the band was exposed to in their native Oakland, CA, reflected in Robb Flynn's lyrics.

The songs make references to some certain well-publicized controversies, such as the 1992 Los Angeles Riots (heard in dialogue on "Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies") and the Waco Siege of 1993 ("Davidian"). Elsewhere, there are tales of physical and mental abuse ("None But My Own", "The Rage To Overcome"), the condemning of profits from religious soliciting ("Death Church"), succumbing to substance abuse ("I'm Your God Now") and aforementioned themes of urban decay, social unrest, rebellion, belligerence, and socio-political commentary.

Stylstically, the album is credited as having bridged the gap between Pantera-style groove and the thrash metal stylings of Slayer's 80's output (which certainly can be heard on songs such as "Blood for Blood" and "A Nation on Fire"). The band's goal with this album was to create the "west coast's" answer to Biohazard's street narratives. Compared to their concurrent releases, it is probably their most raw and aggressive recording thus far, and the style is somewhat harkened back to on their post-Supercharger output.

The release of this album was followed shortly by drummer Chris Kontos leaving the band, and being replaced by the current drummer Dave McClain.

The album has since became a lasting success. In 1994, it quickly became Roadrunner Records best seller and was the label's best-selling debut album for a number of years, until the release of Slipknot's 1999 self-titled debut.

It is generally considered by fans to be their best album, although some fans credit The More Things Change or The Blackening as being more accomplished. The album is considered by many critics and publications such as Metal Hammer (UK) to be one of the seminal metal albums released in the early 90s and one of the more significant metal releases of all time.

Music by Machine Head, lyrics by Robb Flynn. Produced by Colin Richardson.

TRACKLIST:

"Davidian" – 4:55
"Old" – 4:05
"A Thousand Lies" – 6:13
"None But My Own" – 6:14
"The Rage to Overcome" – 4:46
"Death Church" – 6:32
"A Nation on Fire" – 5:33
"Blood for Blood" – 3:40
"I'm Your God Now" – 5:50
"Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies" – 2:45
"Block" – 4:59

LINE-UP:

Robb Flynn - Vocals, Guitar
Logan Mader - Lead Guitar
Adam Duce - Bass Guitar
Chris Kontos - Drums