Machine Head- Newport Centre

HOLY CRAP!

OK so maybe Holy is the wrong word.

and maybe crap isn't appropriate, but I don't like swearing on the Internet. It lacks the...The Je ne se qoui... I feel the English language deserves.

Anywho slap me twice and call me Nancy WHAT A GIG!

There are two types of live musical events in my opinion. 1 is the Concert- AC/DC live at the O2 arena. Metallica at Wembley or O2 or any other venue. Any Muse show. 2 is the gig. the sweaty, dirty, slightly violent and scary smaller show in the crappy venue. The shows that remind you you're still alive. Wednesday the 17th February I was alive. And so were the 700 or so other complete metal heads who were luck enough to drag there sorry asses to the Newport centre.

ZUT ALORS! (yes that 2 pieces of French... cultured ain't I) the power, the passion, the energy! I've seen the head 3 times now but each has been in support of the big M. So naturally they were more subdued than on Wednesday as it wasn't there show, but they owned it this time!

To wait for them to come on stage to a chorus of "Machine F#%kin' Head!" chanted over and over, like the battle cry of an angry army was an experience in it self.

 

To start with Clenching The Fist Of Dissent only added fuel to the fire! the intro was clean and crisp but when the song really kicked it I have never EVER heard anything so load! we all had our asses kicked and handed to us on a metal platter!! Dear reader do not underestimate my words. I SWEAR it was the loudest gig I've ever been too. As anyone who knows me...and ask Mike over at got me a movie (all you need in the latest movie reviews, screw total film people! Mike your man) I've been to a LOT of gigs! most of my moolar goes on the pursuit of the ultimate buzz of live music!

It was a bad ass set list too. Not as conventional or obvious as I expected:

1. Clenching the Fists of Dissent
2. Imperium
3. Take My Scars
4. Bite the Bullet
5. Beautiful Mourning
6. Now I Lay Thee Down
7. Struck A Nerve
8. Aesthetics of Hate 
9. Old
10. The Burning Red
11. Seasons Wither
12. Bulldozer
13. Block                                                                                                                                       Encore:
14. Halo
15. Davidian

WOW! Robb Flynn himself asked the crowd if we brushed up on our old songs! Boy did we need to! Bite The Bullet, Struck A Nerve, The Burning Red! Man as Mushroom head once said "back to the primitive!".  Dave McClain is one of my fav drummers any way but man, that guy had his head down and went for it! Robb is a legend and Phil Demmel, with every thing he's gone through the past year just went up a notch in my book! There was a real chemistry between the guys. They are a real band, who've seen and experienced it all.


Bass players have a certain stigma but Adam Duce gave good and was the driving undertone of the night.However it truly was Phil who played to the crowd. He teased us with the opening noted of Now I Lay The Down and, Considering the guy has a heart condition, played like a mentalist!


I'm a sucker for solo's and was like a kid in a candy shop... or maybe a biker in a motorcycle showroom is more apt! The dueling guitars, back to back shredding was outstanding!

Again it was the loudest gig ever. On the following Friday my ears were still ringing. And muffled, it was like Rob himself had his hand over my ears for 2 days! insane!



Halo. one word. Halo. Please PLEASE people listen to this song. You may not like metal, you may not like Machine Head but this song will change your mind. Nay your world! Yes it's heavy and it aggressive but it listen to it. Absorb it. give it like 5 tries. For me. NO For you! It's got a message, it's got heart, it's got soul. It's got the best freaking solo's around! The encore nearly made me cry. Me and my nest bud Johnny lost our mind! we weren't  crown of strangers, we were one mass of enlightened creatures, living in the moment. Peace was real during that 10 minutes. The UN can learn a lesson and suck one.


Then Davidian started.... Let Freedom Reign With A Shotgun Blast.

Long live Machine Head. I fee; obligated to say Metallica and AC/DC are my favourite bands. But if I dig deep and I'm truly honest.. I Love Machine head.


Please listen to Halo. Please.