Genre: Heavy Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Date of Release: 25 April 2025
Line Up:
Robb Flynn | Vocals & Guitars
Jared MacEachern | Bass & Vocals
Reece Scruggs | Guitar
Matt Alston | Drums
Tracklist:
Landscape Øf Thørns
Atømic Revelatiøns
Unbøund
Øutsider
Nøt Løng Før This Wørld
These Scars Wøn’t Define Us
Dustmaker
Bønescraper
Addicted Tø Pain
Bleeding Me Dry
Shards Øf Shattered Dreams
Scørn
Heavy Metal veterans, Machine Head, return with their 11th studio album. The ensemble was founded by vocalist/guitarist Rob Flynn in 1991 and has undergone numerous personnel changes over the years with Flynn remaining the sole original member. The latest incarnation includes recent addition Reece Scruggs who officially joined the lineup last year. Unatoned arrives three years after “Of Kingdom and Crown,” an album I thoroughly appreciated, particularly during live performances.
The new release exemplifies Flynn’s distinctive approach to musical composition and was crafted while the ensemble was touring between mid-2023 and the end of 2024, ultimately being recorded between Sharkbite Studios and Drop of Sun Recording. Flynn also contributes to the production of the record.
The album commences with a haunting track “Landscape of Thorns” that establishes a somber atmosphere before transitioning to a brief piano introduction to the second track “Atomic Revelations” that swiftly progresses into a more characteristic thrash-riff heavy metal composition with Flynn’s aggressive vocalization. The forceful sections are interwoven with more melodic choruses with breathing room provided by the intermittent use of piano before a blistering guitar solo. The composition concludes as it began and then advances to the album’s lead track “Unbound.” This moderately paced and more pronounced musical offering encapsulates all of the sonic elements synonymous with Machine Head. Fourth track “Outsider” evokes earlier works by the ensemble with its diverse vocal techniques and dynamics within sections of the composition, providing contrast and sustaining listener engagement.
“Not Long for This World” presents less aggression than the previous offerings on the album and showcases more of Flynn’s natural singing compared to his more guttural execution, while the guitar work is less distorted and frenetic, which provides the album with necessary sonic space.
“These Scars Remind Us” is anthemic and will likely be incorporated into live performances going forward, and one can envision an audience singing the chorus in unison. This is an experience we will likely witness during their upcoming tour when the ensemble headlines Bloodstock Festival.
In stark contrast to the initial portion of the album, “Dustmaker” presents an eerie and minimalist arrangement with guest female vocals and deviates significantly from Machine Head’s established sonic identity. “Bonehead,” however, is unmistakably characteristic of this ensemble. This is another composition that will likely resonate with devotees due to its memorable chorus and pronounced percussion.
“Addicted to Pain” begins with commanding drums, a guitar undertone reminiscent of Slipknot’s instrumentation, and also incorporates subtle synthesizer elements. The guitar interlude adds interest and creates tension before launching into the brief but exhilarating solo.
From the midpoint of the album, there is an experimental quality where subtle yet perceptible innovations augment the ensemble’s conventional stylistic approach. This is most apparent in “Bleeding Me Dry” with the various effects applied to the vocals, alternative percussion patterns, and utilization of bell tones.
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The penultimate track proceeds directly to Flynn’s aggressive demeanor before yielding to a more subdued section. There is a raw quality to his voice in segments that imparts a more emotive atmosphere to the composition.
The album culminates with two contrasting tracks, “Shards of Shattered Dreams” and “Scorn,” that epitomize the diversity within the album and demonstrate how the ensemble can maintain their distinctive sound while introducing variety to their artistic output.
Overall, the album will resonate with Machine Head aficionados, and several compositions will translate effectively to their live performances. The ensemble, under Flynn’s direction, continues to produce powerful metal music that secures their position at the forefront of the genre.
This Spring, MACHINE HEAD are embarking on an extensive North American 24-date tour alongside labelmates and Swedish melodic death metal icons IN FLAMES, Italian metal luminaries LACUNA COIL, and American metalcore outfit UNEARTH.
Written by: Dave Martin
Ratings: 8/10
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