Influential West Coast heavy metal quartet
Machine Head formed in 1992 around the talents of ex-
Vio-lence guitar players
Robert Flynn and
Phil Demmel, bass player
Adam Duce, and drummer
Chris Kontos. The band's D.I.Y. work ethic, aggressive playing, and relentless self-promotion eventually landed them a deal with Roadrunner Records, a relationship that would extend all the way through 2005. Their blistering debut, 1992's
Burn My Eyes, blended the powerful, modern attack of
Pantera and
Alice in Chains with the volatility of classic thrash bands like
Death Angel and
Slayer, earning them a huge European following. The record sold over 500,000 copies and spawned a massive international tour that lasted almost two years.
Kontos was replaced by new drummer
Dave McClain on 1997's
More Things Change, an album that saw the band blending speed and progressive metal with dizzying results. The excessive touring and high-octane lifestyle took its toll on the group, but they fought through their demons on 1999's
Burning Red, resulting in the hit "From This Day," their first commercial single and video. 2001 saw the release of
Supercharger, followed by the concert album
Hellalive and the critically lauded
Through the Ashes of Empires in 2003. The DVD Elegies arrived in 2005, followed by Blackening in 2007. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide