A New Era of Metal
In 2007, the heavy metal world was shaken to its core by the release of Machine Head’s sixth studio album, The Blackening. This wasn’t just another album; it was a statement, a magnum opus that would redefine the band’s career and leave an indelible mark on the genre.
Released on March 27, 2007, The Blackening arrived at a time when metal was in a state of flux. The nu-metal wave had crested, and fans were hungry for something more substantial, something that pushed the boundaries of what heavy music could be.
The Road to Redemption
Following their 2003 album, Through the Ashes of Empires, which was a return to form for the band, the expectations for their next release were high. The four-year wait only amplified the anticipation.
Machine Head had faced their share of criticism in the past, but with The Blackening, they were about to silence all the doubters. The band, consisting of Robb Flynn, Phil Demmel, Adam Duce, and Dave McClain, was a tight-knit unit, ready to unleash their creative fury.
Breaking the Mold with Epic Songwriting
The Blackening is a sprawling, epic album, clocking in at over an hour with just eight songs. The long-form songwriting, with three tracks exceeding the ten-minute mark, was a bold move in an era of four-minute singles.
The album is a masterclass in modern thrash metal, with complex song structures, blistering riffs, and a level of technical proficiency that is simply breathtaking. The interplay between guitarists Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel is a highlight, creating a wall of sound that is both brutal and melodic.
The Opening Statement
The album opens with “Clenching the Fists of Dissent,” a ten-and-a-half-minute epic that sets the tone for everything that follows. The song begins with wistful acoustic guitar before exploding into a torrent of aggression. It’s a statement of intent that leaves no doubt about the band’s ambitions.
Technical Mastery on Display
Dave McClain’s drumming throughout the album is both groovy and extreme, providing a solid foundation for the guitar work. The rhythm section, completed by bassist Adam Duce, creates a powerful backbone that allows the guitarists to explore their most ambitious ideas.
Lyrical Fire and Fury
The lyrical themes on The Blackening are as powerful as the music. The album tackles subjects such as war, religion, and societal decay with a raw and unflinching honesty.
Perhaps the most talked-about track is “Aesthetics of Hate,” a scathing response to an article that celebrated the murder of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell. The song is a torrent of righteous anger, a defiant anthem that united the metal community.
Political and Social Commentary
Songs like “A Farewell to Arms” and “Halo” delve into political themes, addressing the Iraq War and organized religion respectively. The band’s willingness to tackle controversial subjects head-on demonstrates their commitment to making music that matters beyond just sonic assault.
A Critical Triumph
Upon its release, The Blackening was met with near-universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. It was hailed as a modern masterpiece, drawing comparisons to Metallica’s Master of Puppets.
The album went on to win numerous awards, including “Album of the Year” at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards and Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. It was also nominated for a Grammy for “Best Metal Performance” for the song “Aesthetics of Hate.”
Chart Performance and Commercial Success
The Blackening was a commercial success, selling over 16,000 copies in its first week in the US and reaching number 54 on the Billboard 200. The album charted in the Top 20 in numerous countries, including Germany, Belgium, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The Recording Process
The album was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with Robb Flynn taking on production duties. From an initial pool of twenty-six songs, the band carefully selected eight tracks that would make the final cut.
The recording process was meticulous, with some songs featuring over ninety individual tracks. The opening track alone includes multiple three-part harmonies, twenty tracks of snare drum, and various guitar layers that create an incredibly dense and powerful sound.
A Lasting Legacy
The Blackening cemented Machine Head’s status as one of the most important metal bands of their generation. The album was later voted Roadrunner Records’ “Album of the Century” in a fan poll, and was included in Metal Hammer’s “Albums of the Decade” list.
More than just a collection of songs, The Blackening is a landmark album that continues to inspire and influence a new generation of metal musicians. It is a testament to the power of heavy metal to be both intelligent and aggressive, to be both thought-provoking and headbangingly brilliant.
Influence on Modern Metal
The album’s impact on the metal scene cannot be overstated. It proved that there was still an appetite for ambitious, lengthy compositions in an era dominated by shorter, more commercial tracks. Many bands that followed have cited The Blackening as a major influence on their approach to songwriting and production.
The Blackening Track Listing
The album features eight carefully crafted tracks that showcase the band’s evolution and ambition. Each song stands as a powerful statement in its own right, while contributing to the album’s overall narrative arc.
“Beautiful Mourning” and “Now I Lay Thee Down” provide slightly more accessible entry points, though they lose none of the intensity that defines the album. “Slanderous” and “Wolves” explore themes of societal hate and competitive spirit, while the closing track “A Farewell to Arms” brings the album to an epic conclusion.
Conclusion
Machine Head’s The Blackening stands as one of the defining metal albums of the 21st century. It represents everything that makes heavy metal great: technical skill, emotional intensity, lyrical depth, and an unwavering commitment to artistic vision.
Nearly two decades after its release, the album continues to resonate with fans old and new. It serves as a reminder that metal can be both commercially successful and artistically uncompromising, and that the best albums are those that refuse to play by the rules.
