When is an Electric Happy Hour not an Electric Happy Hour? When it’s two hours, and when it’s not just “happy” but ecstatic, epic and enthralling (if not, ultimately, a tad enervating). Electric? I’ll give you that – OK, I’ll give you “electric”. That is undeniable.
Some Metal bands rely and thrive on perceived technical expertise. Some rest on their laurels (or others’ laurels, former band members and such), while some simply pose and more or less snooze in near repose. Robb Flynn’s Machine Head climbed on stage in Aberdeen and cut through all the bullshit with a reaper’s scythe. The drum kit looked like a spaceship/mothership/battleship had just landed, filling the nearest horizon like an Ancient Aliens wet dream, like a Center Georges Pompidou, like a surreal scaffolders’ work of abstract art.
The Electric Happy Hour (Live) shows, inspired by the Oakland-founded, Grammy-nominated band’s regular online streams, involve deep cuts and covers, a bit jammy with much beer drinking by singer/guitarist Flynn, as well as the Head Cases. It really is a winning concept with a “let’s put on a show right here right now!” feel to it and its latest incarnation, at relatively small and intimate venues in Glasgow and Inverness, with an already adventurous, even heroic approach to setlists, has been boosted further by a sprinkling of fresh, killer cuts from well-received, brand new 10th LP Of Kingdom And Crown (Nuclear Blast x Imperium Recordings) – a concept album skilfully built around a dystopian tale of charismatic leaders and murderous rampages, a quality affair indeed, well worth checking out. From the new record, Become The Firestorm was delivered at the Lemon Tree with the customary passion and commitment.
Other setlist highlights? Davidian, awesome. Ten Ton Hammer and Imperium sounded as fresh as ever while I Am Hell brought the house down (a few roof tiles also suffered on the night, as is often the case). Bassist Jared MacEachern was a willing cheerleader throughout and kept the crowd going with some smart asides, as if they needed any further encouragement. Vogg (guitarist Waclaw Kieltyka, also of Decapitated and Lux Occulta), commanded his side of the stage, ruled and starred and shone.
The memories of earlier incarnations of the band still linger, of course, and quite rightly – anyone for 1994’s Burn My Eyes, 2007’s seminal The Blackening or 2014’s Bloodstone & Diamonds? But when this line-up is right in front of you, with the heat and the noise and the assault of it, and the heat and the sheer glory of it and the proper, primal Thrash of it, and the heat of it closing in, cutting off all escape routes, it’s hard to deny this is pure Machine Head, all the way. Stripped to the waist, untethered and uncut.
The boys NAILED Beyond The Pale and The Blackening’s Aesthetics Of Hate. Halo hit a groove it seemed would never end, or at least we hoped it would never end, barring total dehydration. A cover of Foo Fighters’ Everlong was apt and emotional, given the same weekend’s Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert. It was a chance to be part of the celebration, the commiseration.
A massive arena tour of the UK, Ireland and Europe awaits Machine Head, dates shared with co-headliners and Swedish heavyweights Amon Amarth, so it was indeed a treat to see legend Flynn & Co in the 550-capacity bar-lounge space of the Lemon Tree.
The anticipation of this sell-out had been building for some time and the whole buzz of it reminded me of the night in 2003 when the seriously great Blue Oyster Cult graced the same Granite City stage – Buck Dharma, Eric Bloom and Allen Lanier, with Bobby Rondinelli on drums and Danny Miranda on bass (am I wrong? Tell me I’m wrong). I could barely believe that then – thought I was dreaming, I kid you not – and Machine Head made sure dreams do come true for Metal fans once again. Two very different bands, two very different gigs, but that’s what music is all about, is it not? Beers up!
Machine Head take their Electric Happy Hour (Live) show to Dundee’s Fat Sams tonight (September 5) and Edinburgh’s Liquid Room tomorrow (September 6) before launching the Vikings & Lionhearts 2022 Tour, with Amon Amarth, at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Thursday (September 8).
