Machine Head – "Unatøned"

Want some more cream and sugar in your metal, Mr. Flynn?

Even having only read about that alleged disaster of an album – i.e., 2018's "Catharsis" – Machine Head's semi-comeback "Øf Kingdøm and Crøwn" (2022) was a bit of a relief. Although still cultivating some of those vapid pop melodies from the bands that MH themselves inspired, the record packed a punch to be reckoned with, its awe-inspiring compositions of red-hot energy expressed through impressive musicianship, not the least of all due to the involvement of Decapitated guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka.

This time around, vocalist/guitarist and MH mastermind Robb Flynn has decided to make a few changes:

• A) A slightly different, more hoarse and throaty vocal approach, both reminiscent of Venom, older Sepultura, and the dirtier corners of hardcore.
• B) A more modern, compressed production with several electronic features, not unlike those you'd hear in whatever mass media dictates is hip these days.
• C) Pop melodies more wimpy and saccharine than ever before, in virtually every single track.

… And if you think that sounds horrible, you're probably an actual metalhead, like yours truly.

Granted, apart from those raspy, dog-like vocals being kinda weird, the energy is impeccable, as it should be. But due to that flat over-production, everything gets violently thrusted out the speakers at the same time, making for only little to none of that auditive breathing room that's both so overlooked and crucial in extreme music. The guitar figures are also up to scratch, hammering away in heavy grooves and incorporating little runs of natural harmonics, as one might expect. But there's nothing genuinely new or interesting going on. That is, unless you count the level of pandering to the pop metal segment, which hereby reaches new heights.

I was able to disregard it in opener "Atømic Revelatiøns", thinking that that melodic chorus was just another among many melodic choruses from the band, and that the album would probably just need to open up a bit before presenting the really cool, gnarly stuff. But alas, while "Unatøned" does start off with both thrash, fierce shouting, and relentless chugging, the whole thing slides ever onward down into depravity.

It first becomes really apparent on "Øutsider", starting off with a whiny, syrup-y refrain that should've never touched metal. The drum build-up is solid, the riff is kinda Slipknot-y; the octopus drum pattern with that off-beat hi-hat is actually neat; the high-pitch dissonant "Future Breed Machine"-ripoff interval is still kinda rad, and the descending bass during the chorus makes for a cadence that's at least not entirely predictable… But it all amounts to icing on a turd cake. I am sick to death of metal bands thinking that downtuned guitars and bully vocals automatically equal a green card to water down – nay, sugar down – our unholy metal sanctuary with weak mainstream suck-up shit like this.

And it just goes on, and it only gets worse. "These Scars Wøn't Define Us" is more uptempo and seemingly rocks… But then, another one of those saccharine pop choruses. Hell, even the verse has some wimpy Eurovision melody going on in that barky vocal. The kick drum rolls are cool, and the solo is actually hella great, but again: It amounts to decorating a Christmas tree made of garbage. And by the way, can metal bands today still release a lyric like "remember before you forget"??

I am sick to death of metal bands thinking that downtuned guitars and bully vocals automatically equal a green card to water down – nay, sugar down – our unholy metal sanctuary with weak mainstream suck-up shit like this.

Post-midway, I'm only finishing this, my third spin of the album, because I'd feel unprofessional as a music journalist if I didn't. But it's painful. Look, there is not even necessarily anything wrong with pop music or with anything or anyone being popular. But there is something dead wrong with metal music plainly rimjobbing commercial market powers as is plainly the case right here.

While "Bleeding Me Dry" stands out a bit with a more quiet verse, its production is pure, mindless club segment pandering, not the least of all that insanely obnoxious pseudo-hi-hat plugin going "TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! T-T-T-T-T-TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS! TS!" How did any human being who ever read a book ever come to the conclusion that that thing was an enrichment upon any kind of music??

"Shards øf Scattered Dreams" starts off as thrash with some electronic elements that woulda been cool if applied by an at least somewhat idealistic and sticking-to-their-guns type of band like Ministry. But in this case, they just come off like an obvious attempt to indulge that segment that for some reason is into metal with electronic features. And this one presents the most vomit-inducing boyband chorus so far. I find myself involuntarily slapping my forehead and groaning out loud. Fuck this shit. How in the world did it come to pass that Robb Flynn – once among the entire metal community's coolest and most important characters – has now gone on to both become a whiner and a wannabe in his own, at least theoretically, so badass means of sonic expression??

Apart from the songs being shorter than normally so they're at least not that torturous, the best thing I can say about "Unatøned" is that it serves as a litmus test: If this album doesn't instinctively put you off, you're most likely one of those metal listeners who somehow don't understand the essence of actual heavy metal. As you've noticed, the song titles still have that stylization with 'ø' substituted for 'o' as its predecessor, and while I found it funny the last time, being a native Dane and all, I'm too bitter and disillusioned on behalf of my once so beloved genre to appreciate the unintended hilarity for certain Scandinavians this time around.

I'll give "Unatøned" a 2/6 for the amount of actual metal that's on here, but I'm being generous. If and when MH releases another album, I'll give it a chance for old friendship's sake. But if it's more wimpy pop metal in this vein, I'll be needing multi-reference reassurances of their albums going forward.

Rating: 2 out of 6

Genre: Pop metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release date: 25/4/2025
Producer: Robb Flynn + Zack Ohren + various