ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN

Album review

Robb Flynn has always been a free spirit, much to the delight of his critics, who never miss an opportunity to find fault with the Machine Head frontman as soon as he puts a foot wrong (or is deemed to have done so, at least). In 2018, Catharsis was criticised for flirting with nu-metal. As you might expect, this cumbersome influence even provoked a rift within the band, as guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain have since departed after many years of loyal service (fifteen and twenty-two years respectively). This bitter setback has seemingly burrowed its way into Flynn’s head, encouraging him to get back to work and create the most convincing Machine Head album since The Blackening (2007). Bursting with solid tracks, both ruthless and catchy in equal measure, Of Kingdom and Crown has everything it needs to bring a large audience together. Naturally, there are some irresistible singles (‘Unhallowed’, ’My Hands Are Empty’, ’No Gods No Masters’), but there are also some real thrashy gems that will pulverise you into submission from the very first bars (‘Become the Firestorm’, ’Choke on the Ashes of Your Hate’, and the almost punky ‘Bloodshot’). Plus, the addition of Vogg (Decapitated) as a second guitarist has given rise to some totally insane guitar riffs.

Due to the lockdown, the band had to record the album without their English drummer (Matt Alston), who couldn’t make it to the studio. Instead, they were joined by the incredible Navene Koperweis from Animals As Leaders, and the result is remarkably methodical and displays real finesse. However, the biggest surprise on this tenth album is Robb Flynn’s vocals, which he’s clearly been refining during the health crisis. The fruits of his efforts are simply fantastic; like Corey Taylor in Stone Sour, he’s now able to balance his thunderous voice with much more nuanced emotions without ever resorting to a sugary bluette (this is the guy who wrote ’Davidian’). The vocal harmonies shared with bassist Jared MacEachern are just exemplary, and this new string to Machine Head’s bow gives their sound a whole new level of class and subtlety. ‘Slaughter the Martyr’, which opens the opus, is ten minutes long, though it’s so captivating that you barely notice the time passing. In the same way, Of Kingdom and Crown is an album that’s easy to listen to from start to finish. It constantly keeps things varied and exciting whilst remaining consistently coherent, which is no mean feat. © Charlélie Arnaud/Qobuz