As Machine Head’s own bio rightfully states, “few bands make it to their 11th album, and even fewer do so with the same fire and fury that defined their early years.” Robb Flynn’s now-legendary groove metal outfit has managed to truck on for more than thirty years now, though that journey hasn’t been without its pitfalls: the band have garnered a reputation for their inconsistency, bouncing between the lofty heights of 2007’s ‘The Blackening’ and the dismal lows of 2018’s ‘Catharsis.’ Now, the group are back with new record ‘UNATØNED’ to soundtrack their upcoming festival run this summer: perhaps that might explain why Machine Head are playing it so ridiculously safe this time around, delivering a crop of tracks that would sooner satisfy than excite.

‘UNATØNED’ does not tout itself as a reinvention of the wheel: though it can wander into some unfamiliar territory at times (as we’ll be sure to discuss), the record builds itself firmly around an onslaught of crushing groove metal riffs and anthemic choruses. Lead single ‘UNBØUND’ had fan assured that all of Machine Head’s usual staples would be returning this time around— between its constant squealing harmonics, gnarly guitar chugs and hilariously overblown lyrics, the cut serves as the perfect microcosm for the entire LP. Robb Flynn and company do, in many instances, manage to capture the energy of an album like ‘Burn My Eyes’ when their riffs reach a peak of intensity. Though hardly exciting endeavours for the group, Machine Head are at their most comfortable when bashing through cuts like ‘ADDICTED TØ PAIN’ or ‘SHARDS ØF SHATTERED DREAMS.’

It is unfortunate to see the group staying so far within their wheelhouse though, especially when ‘UNATØNED’ invites comparisons to previous records that it simply cannot live up to. Robb Flynn’s harsh vocals are clearly beginning to fail him here, sounding more like a half-hearted gargle than a ferocious war cry— they aren’t as limp as his clean vocals though, which routinely suck the life out of choruses like that of ‘ATØMIC REVELATIØNS.’ A general muddiness pervades the album, preventing some of these cuts from jumping off the speakers like you’d want them to— the slick, well-rounded production of ‘UNATØNED’ frequently sells these rage-fuelled tracks short, leaving us yearning for the pounding drum sounds and ripping guitar tones of an album like ‘The Blackening,’ or even the stronger mix of previous record ‘ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN.’

On a writing front, it’s a mixed bag. Opener ‘ATØMIC REVELATIØNS’ may suffer from that particularly drab chorus, but its haunting piano embellishments and satisfying sense of momentum still manage to kick the album off on a fairly strong note. It’s not until standout cut ‘ØUTSIDER’ that Machine Head properly hit their stride though: it’s a song that harkens back to the unrestrained aggression of the band’s best output while also harbouring the most momentous chorus on the entire record, standing as a prime example of how Robb Flynn can use his voice to the fullest. Similar praise can be lumped onto ‘THESE SCARS WØN’T DEFINE US’— though the song was originally release as a collaborative effort with In Flames, Lacuna Coil and Unearth, it nonetheless fits in as a welcome addition to ‘UNATØNED.’

For every unstoppable rager, though, there’s a mishandled dud. ‘NØT LØNG FØR THIS WØRLD’ aims to keep itself grand and solemn throughout its runtime, but dragging rhythms and poorly-placed vocal layers drag the track down severely: though hardly unlistenable, it’s difficult to imagine too many listeners returning to this cut. More egregious is single ‘BØNESCRAPER,’ which houses not just one of Machine Head’s most tacky choruses to date (sounding eerily similar to the work of Black Veil Brides, of all bands), but some of their worst lyrics as well— though Robb Flynn was never a poet, it’s disconcerting to see him penning verses as clunky and tasteless as this.

“Bridges burning in the wake of madness

You left me yearning with the taste of sadness

Bury me down in a bed of clover

Just leave me be, this is done, it’s over”

Credit where credit is due though, ‘UNATØNED’ does bring with it some new and inventive twists on the Machine Head formula— they are, once again, rather hit-or-miss. Interlude ‘DUSTMAKER’ may just be the most intriguing idea on the entire record, winding through a dense collection of grim guitar chords and spoken word inclusions a-la Deafheaven: it’s just a shame that the track’s intoxicating mood is abruptly killed by the following ‘BØNESCRAPER.’ Closer ‘SCØRN’ is similarly rich, bringing a much more soulful vocal delivery from Flynn that lends the end of the record a melancholic, mournful atmosphere. Conversely, the programmed drums, low growls and Muse-esque bridge of ‘BLEEDING ME DRY’ collide in a supremely ugly fashion, squandering some promising ideas on a confused and off-putting final package. Machine Head are doing some interesting things here: we just wish they were pulling them off with a little more finesse.

Machine Head’s 11th album does quite a lot right, bringing more of the gnarly riffs and momentous moments that fans have come to expect— for all its strengths though, ‘UNATØNED’ is not a career highlight. Robb Flynn and company may have pulled together enough strong material to avoid comparisons to their worst releases, but when all is said and done, the new record is difficult to be excited for: truthfully, ‘UNATØNED’ is more than serviceable, but will almost certainly end up lost in the shuffle as the year winds on.