Unto the Locust (Special Edition)

Pretty bad.

How do you follow up The Blackening? Praised as one of the best metal records of the DECADE, what could they do? How about make a record with no less heaviness, but not sounding anything like The Blackening. I Am Hell.....jesus christ that song is an absolute monster. When the drums kicked in it felt like the windows in my truck were gonna shatter. Darkness Within is an emotional beast. Locust, Be Still, This is the End and Pearls Before and great additions to their musical history. How often do you see a band, particularly a metal band, explore and add new elements into their music(the classic guitar pieces for example) this late into a career and have it work so well. Usually it's a desparate attempt and a disaster, for these guys it was awesome. Burn my eyes was a great record, but other than Robb's voice, Unto the Locust hardly sounds like the same band. Amazing stuff.

Overall, this album is great. Except for the bonus tracks (Which makes this review a 3 star, as it is the bonus tracks that make this version of the album the "Special Edition"). If I were reviewing the standard edition, I'd give it 5 stars. Not worth spending the money for three extra tracks lacking the musical creativity displayed throughout this album. Even vocally, the tracks sound exhausted and poorly performed.

After the Blackening, these guys set the bar almost impossibly high for themselves with their next album. Take away the Blackening, and Unto the Locust is my favorite album for Machine Head. With the Blackening, it’s an album that gets the job done, with a few hits like Darkness Within and Locust. Really can’t wait for their new album later this year!

This album is truly one big metal masterpiece. I think it was really overshadowed by the blackening also a masterpiece! It should not have gone that way this album is just as amazing or maybe even better. A most definite buy for everyone! If you haven't got it yet you should. Favorite tracks are Locust,Darkness within, and I am hell (sonata in c#).

Not was I was hoping for. The Blackening was way better, this album lacked the soul and intensity that I am used to from these guys. It seemed slapped together and was relying on a few hard riffs to make it. I haven't found 1 song that I was like "that's the one" and on previous albums there were several. Should've saved my money.

Simply the best metal band in the world(fact).................................... (still a fact)

Machine Head is an amazing band to start with. Then they throw this masterpiece into the mix, now it's something different entirely. Songs like 'I am Hell' 'Locust' and 'Darkness Within' are the songs YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO!!!! This is a beautiful album, and if u haven't listened yet, you're missing out!!!

I just CAN'T NOT listen to this. Machine Head are one of those few remaining metal bands that can actually come up with something creative and still have a lot of depth and meaning to their music. This is metal that's fresh and straight of out the grocery store. Completely original in every aspect. Nothing sounds the same in this album. Definitely the best release of 2011.

Best album of 2011 in my opinion great from start to finish some of the most brutal tracks I've heard in years and the bonuses are just to make the album even better!