Machine Head

Machine Head
AT THE GLASS HOUSE

By Caren Spitler

"It's All About the Blood, the Sweat, the Tears" or as Robb Flynn put it that night, "the Beers." It's kind of ironic 'cause you can't get any alcohol in this place. Machine Head was a band on fire touring for the "Burning Red" CD. This band is an undeniably strong force in the metal world and when you see them live you know the reason why.

Robb, Ahrue, Adam, and Dave came in and wrecked the place (figuratively speaking), but it's not as though the crowd wasn't already trying. Every kid in the place was in total out of control mosh mode. Flynn worked it like the Metal God that he is, and was a bit more talkative than at the last MH show in Hollywood. I think because the audience at this venue was really into them big time. Unlike the somewhat jaded and mostly industry crowd at the Palace, the Glass House was packed full of young kids who for one night would live or die for the Machine Head sound. MH fans are true blue and hard-f**king-core, although a bit closed-minded to other sounds.

The band did not disappoint and cranked the room up, from a slow boil to a raging fire. The mosh pit was Fahrenheit 451° (HOT!). They performed 10 songs and mixed up the set with tunes from all three albums Burn My Eyes, the More Things Change, and the Burning Red. A favorite moment from the set was Dave's ferocious drum solo, go Dave go! Following "Struck a Nerve," Ahrue played a blistering guitar solo, after which frontman Flynn made a slightly cutting remark about the previous guitarist and how the solo has *NEVER* sounded better.

Robb and mates were the only ones in the place who could get a drink (not to mention the only ones actually of drinking age), and Mr. Flynn was having his way with a few of his signature Coke and Vodka combo's. Between songs he'd take a few sips and toss the rest on the audience. These men shone with the larger-than-life stage presence of "real" rock stars, and at times it seemed as though God created them for one reason and one reason only...to play the Devil's music.