The Burning Red

I don’t care what anyone says, this is some of their best stuff.

The Burning Red is way too underrated. Sure, it might sound different for Machine Head, but it's still a killer album. When this dropped it was ripe nu-metal season in the industry, and maybe that had its influence here... however, Machine Head accomplished something unique in their own right by pushing the envelop. This album stands the test of time while all the nu-metal acts of the late 90s fad have long faded. To me, it's more relentless and heavier than nu-metal, and the power of his vocals are really impressive; it really doesn't sound like any other band in my opinion. Bust it out every couple years and give it a listen, you won't be disappointed.

One of their best, pushed the envelope .. better than the blackening .. this band never did wrong.

I remember back in 99’ when this album came out, my local station premiered the album in it’s entirety, I had my tape deck ready to record it and finally when the first song dropped the intro sounded so heavy but once Robb started singing then rapping I was in such disbelieve. I felt like it was such a huge letdown but I kept recording hoping that the album would get better but it didn’t and I was a very sad 14 year old after hearing/recording it. All these years later I can appreciate the guy’s effort on this album, the problem with this album was that it was such a drastic changed and nothing really was ushered in slowly, everything about this album felt forced. They rolled the dice with Ross Robinson and failed because they were way out of their comfort zone. I’ll give it a 3 because I think every establish band is entitled to make one crappy album that they can laugh at.

One of my all time favorite albums

Robb Flynn shows he has rapping abilities,people just arnt used to it,his rapping is in no ways horrible,but in live performances,it shows he wasn't totally used to it

its not the best but still a great album to add to the collection . the more i listen to this the more i like it. machine head consistently brings great music album after album.

Don't get me wrong; I understand why people don't like Machine Head's third and fourth albums. The more accessible, less groovy sound is definitely not here on this release. Instead of the heavy groove metal sound of the band's first two albums, they bring us a more nu metal-influencd sound. It's not a masterpiece, but it's still a great album in my opinion. With more melody and even rapping, the band definitely opened up new doors. It shows that they were only trying to sound different, as they stated themselves. Those who don't mind more commercial metal should give this album a shot.

This was my first taste of machine head, I actually bought a Megadeth album with a sampler CD attached. This album featured the track "From this Day" and I was hooked. While people complain this album was too watered down/corp. influenced, I think its just an album with different chops. The lyrics are emotionally charged, angry, and in my opinion truthful and from Flynn and the band's core selves. So you can hate on a band experimenting with new ideas and styles all you want, but let's face it, all bands experiment with songs and styles that aren't "like ______ album at all!" Which is why bands grow and become the awesome powerhouses we come to know and love. Machine Head is no different and I think there are several choice songs on this album. The blood, the sweat, the tears has a great tempo and growling lyrics. From this day has a great punishing sound, Exhale the Vile is one of my favorites as well as Five. I say if you don't like the style of this album, give some of these songs a listen first and decide for yourself.

Now I currently own all of Machine Head's albums. This album, the Burning Red, has developed the reputation of being Machine Head's worst album. The people who have said this are right, but what a lot of them have not realized is that even at their worst, they are still descent. Now I can see why you all would hate this album because of some of the rapping and the powerful guitar riffs ruined by some corny tambourine solo. If you can get past those things and listen for the powerful riffs, good beats, and Robb's singing (which is pretty good.), then I think you'll like this despite popular opinion. Give it a chance. After listening to the Blackening then hearing this I thought, "Yikes! What IS this crap?" after getting accustomed to their older stuff and listening to the snippets of this a few times it actually grew on me. Bottom line: Though this is Machine Head's worst, it's still worth looking into. Give it a few listens and I think you'll like it despite its flaws.