In the early 1990s, metal music was going through big changes. Grunge had taken over the charts, thrash metal was fading, and many heavy metal bands were struggling to find their place. But in 1994, one band came out of the Bay Area like a wrecking ball and reminded everyone what metal could sound like when it was raw, honest and full of rage. That band was Machine Head, and their debut album “Burn My Eyes” hit the metal scene like a punch to the face.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Machine Head was formed in Oakland, California, by Robb Flynn, who had previously played guitar in Vio-Lence, one of the important Bay Area thrash metal bands. But Machine Head was something different. Yes, it had thrash metal influences, but it was slower, groovier and heavier—almost like a fusion between thrash metal and the rising sounds of groove metal and hardcore. Alongside Flynn were Logan Mader on guitar, Adam Duce on bass and Chris Kontos on drums. Together, they created something fresh, aggressive and deeply emotional.
“Burn My Eyes” (1994)
“Burn My Eyes” was released in August 1994 through Roadrunner Records, and it immediately stood out. This was a record full of pain, anger and frustration—perfect for the times. The opening track, “Davidian”, became an anthem. Its famous line, “Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast!” echoed around the metal world like a call to arms. It was political, violent and powerful. Robb Flynn was shouting, screaming and singing with real passion, and the band sounded like a machine—tight, loud and unstoppable.
What made “Burn My Eyes” so important was its ability to combine heavy grooves, thrash metal riffs and social commentary. Songs like “Old”, “A Thousand Lies” and “None But My Own” were mosh pit songs, but also emotional offerings. Flynn wrote about personal struggles, about growing up in a broken society, about anger with the system. It was real life, screamed into the mic.
Musically, the band delivered crushing riffs and tight rhythms. Chris Kontos’ drumming was a major highlight—tight, groovy and creative. The production, handled by Colin Richardson, was huge and clean without losing its grit. In a way, “Burn My Eyes” felt like a statement: “Metal is not dead—it’s evolving.”
The album became Roadrunner’s best-selling debut at the time and earned the band a huge following, especially in Europe. They toured with Slayer, Napalm Death and Obituary, and their live shows were pure chaos—sweaty, loud, intense. For many fans, “Burn My Eyes” became a soundtrack to their frustration and rebellion in the mid-’90s.
“The More Things Change…” (1997)
Three years later, Machine Head came back with “The More Things Change…”, and although it didn’t hit as hard in terms of commercial success, it showed a band growing, evolving, diving deeper into their sound. By this time, drummer Chris Kontos had left and was replaced by Dave McClain, who would stay with the band for over twenty years and become a key member of their sound.
“The More Things Change…” is darker, more layered, perhaps even heavier than “Burn My Eyes”. The riffs are thicker, the grooves deeper, Flynn’s vocals even more intense. There’s a feeling of suffocating anger and deep frustration across the album. You can hear it in songs like “Ten Ton Hammer”, which starts the record like a tank rolling over you. It’s crushing!
Other standout tracks include “Take My Scars”, which mixes melody with aggression, and “Struck a Nerve”, which hits with unfiltered fury. The lyrics throughout the album are more personal, more emotional, often filled with self-doubt, pain and reflection. It’s like Flynn is not just yelling at the world, he’s yelling at himself.
Logan Mader’s guitar work on this album is tighter and more atmospheric, helping create a dark tone that runs throughout the songs. Sadly, this would be his last album with the band, but his contribution was crucial in shaping Machine Head’s early sound.
Production-wise, “The More Things Change…” is still massive. Once again, it’s Colin Richardson behind the controls, and he helps the band sound thick and sharp. The rhythm section—especially McClain’s drumming—brings a lot of depth and power. It’s an album that demands multiple listens to really get all the details.
The Legacy of the first two albums
The first two Machine Head records are now seen as essential albums in the history of modern metal. They came at a time when metal was losing its place in the mainstream, and they helped bring back heaviness, emotion, and real anger to the music. While bands like Pantera and Sepultura were paving the way, Machine Head joined that fight with their own voice and style.
Burn My Eyes is still considered a masterpiece of groove metal. It inspired countless bands in the late ’90s and early 2000s—from nu-metal acts to hardcore and metalcore bands. Its mix of heaviness and emotion opened doors for a new wave of metal. Even today, it sounds fresh, relevant and powerful.
“The More Things Change…” might be the darker, less celebrated sibling, but for many fans, it’s even more rewarding. It shows growth, depth, maturity. It’s the sound of a band refusing to repeat itself, even if it meant taking risks.
Robb Flynn
At the center of Machine Head is Robb Flynn—a man with a vision, a loud voice and a burning heart. His honesty, both musically and lyrically, has always been the band’s driving force. On these first two albums, Flynn laid his soul bare. He wasn’t pretending to be a rock star. He was angry, broken, trying to find meaning through music—and that’s why Machine Head connected with so many fans.
Even decades later, Flynn continues to push the band forward, never resting on old glories. But for many, those early years—”Burn My Eyes” and “The More Things Change…”—are the foundation of Machine Head’s legacy.
An epilogue
Machine Head’s first two albums are more than just heavy metal records—they’re personal, political, deeply emotional works of art. They came at a time when metal needed a new voice, and Robb Flynn and his bandmates stepped up with fire, anger and honesty.
“Burn My Eyes” gave us the chaos, the pain and the groove.
“The More Things Change…” gave us the darkness, the depth and the growth.
Together, these two albums shaped the path of heavy music in the late 1990s and beyond. And for that, Machine Head will always deserve respect.
Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast—forever.
Did you know that …
- At the point of the band’s formation, Flynn had written “Death Church” and “Blood for Blood”—both of which Vio-lence had rejected.
- Despite the popular belief that it came from the Deep Purple album of the same name, Flynn settled on the name Machine Head purely, because he thought it “sounded cool”.
- Four months after the band’s formation, Flynn parted ways with Vio-lence after a physical fight between the band members and a local gang.
- Machine Head played their first show at a house party in Oakland on August 15, 1992.
- Machine Head recorded a demo in a friend’s bedroom, funded with US$800. A record executive representing Roadrunner Records listened to the demo and signed the band.
- Chris Kontos was fired, because he was not keeping to touring commitments, and Kontos went on to play drums with Testament. When Machine Head began auditioning drummers, Flynn received a phone call from Igor Cavalera and music journalist Borivoj Krgin, who recommended him to Dave McClain, then of Sacred Reich. After McClain initially declined, the band began auditioning other potential drummers, but received another call from McClain, who accepted the offer.
- After touring for “Burn My Eyes”, Machine Head entered the studio on June 10, 1996, to record its second studio album.
- The band expected to release its sophomore album in October of that year, but its release was delayed due to McClain breaking his leg and problems with its recording, including guitar and vocal tracks being erased for no apparent reason and a protracted mixing process that lasted four months.
