Machine Head, The Nixon Rodeo, Seven Cycles, June 24, 2013, Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

I believe the opening acts to this show were a last minute fill in since this tour seemed to just be getting off the ground and it was almost a practice run before Machine Head releases the next album to their arsenal. Both opening bands are local talent and quite boring considering who the headliners were.

Seven Cycles is a local band from Spokane, WA. Boring. Next. The Nixon Rodeo had more potential if they let their drummer take over vocals. He reminded me of Zack De La Rocha from Rage Against The Machine. If he can harness that nightly and tie it better together with the music, I think the band has a shot.

Machine Head was fantastic and there’s little more you need to say. This is by far one of the best heavy metal bands on the planet and their music is hard to beat. You can say they are at the end of their touring cycle for Unto the Locust which continues the latest streak of masterpieces in metal music. For a band that’s been around for quite some time, they have great stories to share with their audience and lead singer Robb Flynn shared a fantastic story about his time on a tour with Dimebag Darrell (guitarist, Pantera). Like many Dimebag stories, it’s about great times around a bottle of something heavenly. Machine Head was starting to hit their stride in the mid 90’s and getting on tour with such a powerhouse like Pantera was extremely special. The problem is staying sober long enough to do a good job on stage and functioning the next day. Mr. Flynn was blown away by Dimebag’s constitution to consume mass amounts of alcohol and get on stage. Somehow through the haze of pre-parties before a show, Dimebag could gather himself and play his best. The music, no matter what state you’re in, brings you back to the craft of who you are and it’s what humbles you.

Double guitar solos (ok, that sounds strange but you have to see it live to appreciate it), the thundering aggression of double bass blaring machine gun riffs along with a great new bass player who can harmonize just fine (which landed him the job) shows that Machine Head has a bright future ahead and will continue to dominate the metal scene.