Catharsis (Limited Double

I have been a Machine Head fan since 2001. I love this album. If you with have not heard it or your on the fence go give it a listen or another listen. Electric happy hour.

A decent entry in the Machine Head canon. Don't believe the one star reviews. They're largely knee-jerk and reactionary in my opinion. There's plenty of Machine Head’s signature trademarks here and it takes the listener to a lot of places. Some of those places could be seen as a step backwards stylistically though; namely California Bleeding, Triple Beam, Bastards and Razorblade Smile. They're more reminiscent of the band's nu-metal phase and lyrically some of these songs are Flynn’s weakest since Supercharger. If nothing else the album mixes it up for a band almost 25 years into their career. You could argue it would make for a better, more cohesive album without the tracks mentioned but creative freedom seems to be what Machine Head need to move forward. The divisive songs aside, there’s still a whole other hour of music with plenty to enjoy. I can see a good amount of these songs making it into their setlist rotation too. One thing fans can agree on, Machine Head kills it live. I'd probably rate this 3 & 1/2 stars if that was an option but I'm fine allowing an extra half star based on good will alone for this band and their body of work.

I feel this will be a "grower" - there's definitely some of the signatures we've come to know and love from the Bay area titans, but it is far more groove/melodic than previous albums. There are some corkers on the album; Screaming at the Sun, Heavy Lies the Crown (reminiscent of A Farewell to Arms) and the titular Catharsis to name a few. I'm unconvinced by B*stards (the most polarising track on the album), but respect the decision to try a different direction. Rather liking the clean vocals on Behind A Mask too, a surprisingly haunting melody. If you want another Blackening, this isn't it. But if like me you're a paid up member of the Head cases, this is definitely a must-have in your collection.Oh, and the DVD makes the purchase worth buying on it's own! Quite poor lighting (hence them not releasing it on it's own earlier) but good sound quality and always great to hear live versions of the hits.

Ignore the reviews, which seem to come from a non musical planet. I'm a MfnH lifer and this album is easily their best after The Blackening. Songs like Catharsis (a musical sequel to Now We Die, my favourite MH track), Beyond The Pale and Hope Begets Hope are absolute 10/10 MH tracks. But Heavy Lies The Crown is something new: a progressive, storytelling masterpiece with riffage from 6:00 that will make your bones shake. And then there's the controversial 'Bastards'. It's the centrepiece of the album and possibly one of the most important songs to come out of the metal scene in years. Stand your ground.

I've been on a downer with Machine Head since what was for me a disappointment with Bloodstone and Diamonds. However against my expectations and the mixed reviews by the music critics I'm pleased to say I really liked Catharsis. Always good to be proved wrong. A real combination of new and old MH. If you buy this album let your own mind decide whether you like it and don't base it on any review you read. Well done Robb and Co!

Excellent thrash metal anthems by the heirs to Motörhead’s crown.Great to see them live in Glasgow a few months ago.

I am one of those that will not listen to any teaser clips or songs released prior to album release.I love it.There are so many good parts to the album, it is an album that combines their first album to their last and everything in between. It is an album that has evolved the bands catalogue and sound.Early candidate for album of the year!

after managing to resurrect their career after the disasterous burning red/supercharger double punch and possibly even exceed their early highs, machine head have dropped the ball in spectacular fashion.first off the DVD is awesome showing a band at the peak of their career. this is a shame it's not blu ray but other than that a fantastic product.the album tho is a massive disappointment. formulaic riffs litter the album , embarrassing lyrics. (I don't care about which way he leans politically , the lyrics are just purile) uninspired performances litter the album making it feel dour and plodding.the band have inexplicably returned to their nu metal leanings on the majority of the album, which doesn't have to be bad in and of itself but just comes across as horribly outdated and simplistic. the production is odd and very harsh on the ears making the experience even harder to deal with.it does have 2 or 3 good songs, it has at least 5 bad songs and equal amounts of filler.a horrible disappointment for a band that had delivered 4 classic albums on the trot.this album sounds like the band have been left in the cold and it was a Rob Flynn solo project. none of the band's usual flair or excitement is present . avoid unless you think super charger is a under rated classic.