Review: Machine Head - Elegies (C+)

Machine Head - Elegies (2004)
Starring Machine Head
MPAA: UR
Grade: C+

Review by Bobby Nashville


One thing is obvious from Elegies, the new concert film from Machine Head: they take rocking very seriously. One of the biggest names in metal, Machine Head is a group that has a powerful, full sound. If you like the band, you are going to love this live concert film. Unfortunately, I have a hard time liking the group so I cannot give this a fantastic review.

So what's my beef with Machine Head? Well, my main problem is that their singer, Robert Flynn sounds like Cookie Monster. I realize that this is trend throughout the metal scene, but come on, what ever happened to the Rob Halford sound? The Bruce Dickinson sound? These guys actually have fantastic singing voices and are not afraid to craft a unique vocal style. Anyone can sound like Oscar the Grouch with a mouth full of garbage. Call me crazy but I like my metal singers to actually sing.

On the positive side, the rest of Machine Head have a great sound. The guitarist Phil Demmel totally rocks, the drummer and bassist kick out some serious jams and the overrall professionalism of the group is excellent. Frankly, I just didn't care for the singer, so this concert film didn't work for me. But that is not to say that this is a poor concert film. To the contrary, if you like Robert Flynn's vocal style, then you will probably love Elegies, a very well made concert film.