Through the Ashes of Empires
Occupation
- Vocal / Guitar: Robert Flynn
- Guitar: Phil Demmel
- Bass: Adam Duce
- Drums: Dave McClain
Through the Ashes of Empires is the fifth album by the American heavy metal band Machine Head. The album was released on 16 December 2003 via Roadrunner Records. Following the arrival of guitarist Phil Demmel it was the first album in the cast today. With this album the band returned to her musical roots and made her comeback at the same time.
Formation
Due to the disappointing sales of its predecessor, Supercharger, the band lost its contract with Roadrunner Records. Until the end of April 2002, only about 45,000 units of the album were sold in the United States. After separation, the band wanted to sign a new contract with Roadrunner. However, this project was only possible with the European branch of Roadrunner, while the U.S. office was not interested in any further cooperation. In June 2002, guitarist Ahrue Luster left due to creative differences the band. However, after these setbacks, the band did not want to give up.
" All these problems have bound us together even more closely. We stood with his back to the wall and asked us where we want to go with our music and what is really important to us. "
After the chandelier exit the band as a trio decided to continue. According to Flynn, the band did not want to go through the entire audition process to see whether the new guitarist fits or not. The band recorded a demo, with whom she competed at several record companies in the United States. The success did not materialize and Machine Head received over 30 rejections. In summer 2002, Machine Head toured Europe and played at various festivals. The vacant space of the second guitarist Phil Demmel took a who played along with Flynn in Vio - lence. Demmel was originally retire from the music business and finish off his career.
When writing the new songs, the band began to appreciate their roots. A crucial factor during the songwriting was listening to old Led Zeppelin and Rush plates for Flynn. These albums encouraged the band to venture more progressive stuff. In April 2003, Phil Demmel was officially added to the band.
Produced Through the Ashes of Empires by Robb Flynn, who for the first time produced an album. Was mixed and mastered the album from British Colin Richardson, who for reasons of timing, the album could not produce. Mark Keaton was sound engineer Andy Sneap also took part in the studio recordings. Overall, the band spent four weeks in the Sharkbite Studios in Oakland. Drummer Dave McClain played eight of the ten songs one within a day. For Empire and Days Turn Blue to Gray each video clips were filmed. Especially empire was often broadcast on VIVA Plus.
Robb Flynn sees the album Machine Head's response to the at that time trendy " Radio Metal, American-style ." In an interview with Metal Hammer Germany he calls a band like Trapt as an example.
Background
The song " Empire " according to Flynn is for all the people who stand up against social pressures to defend and, for example, not be influenced by television. "Elegy" is taking the environmental problems of the society. The song "Left Unfinished " treated a trauma from Flynn's childhood. At the age of six months, he was released from his biological parents for adoption. The text is a reckoning with his biological parents. Flynn's birth name Lawrence Matthew Cardine is mentioned in the text.
"I have my whole life to feel a part of something never long because because of the adoption, I felt more like an outcast before. That's what my life often negatively affected. "
" Descend the Shades of Night" deals with the subject of death. The basic riff of the song " Vim " comes from the Forbidden Song " Egypt Has Fallen ", which was written by Flynn.
In addition to the regular CD version, there was a limited edition containing a bonus CD. On this, the song Bite the Bullet, Left Unfinished, Descend the Shades of Night, All Falls Down and Elegy are as demo recordings. There are also the music video of the song The Blood, Sweat the, the Tears and a studio report from the recording of the album.
Published in the U.S. CD version contains the song later recorded Seasons Wither. The new song is in eighth place between Vim and All Falls Down. The CDs produced after the publication in the United States for the global market also included the new song. Seasons Wither was also used as a B- side for the single Days Turn Blue to Gray.
Reception
Through the Ashes of Empires was inundated by the press with euphoric reviews. The Metal Hammer and Rock Hard voted the album "Album of the Month". Volkmar Weber of Rock Hard likened the album with a daring deed, the " detailed and complex than ever before shows " the band and awarded 9.5 out of ten. According Anzo Sadoni from Metal Hammer Machine Head have managed " to combine true essence of the band and to distribute to the individual components of their sound " the. Sadoni awarded the maximum score of seven.
Through the Ashes of Empires was the second most successful Roadrunner album by Nickelback The Long Road 2003. In Germany, the album sold in the first week more than Supercharger in two years and reached number 24 on the album charts. In Austria, the album debuted at number 56 and in Switzerland at # 80. On the other hand Through the Ashes of Empires is the only album of Machine Head, that could not place in the UK album charts.
The band was with this album old fans who turned their backs on the two previous albums of the band, to recover. Likewise, the band was able to increase their popularity among the younger metal fans tremendously. The opening song Empire became a hit and has a lot of fans on a par with the song Davidian of their debut album Burn My Eyes. After the great success in Europe and Australia Roadrunner U.S. offered the band a new contract. The album was finally released in the U.S. on 20 April 2004 and reached number 88 on the album charts.
Single " Days Turn Blue to Gray"
The Single Days Turn Blue to Gray was published on 30 November 2004. Besides the title song from the album, the well-known single contains the newly recorded song Seasons Wither, as well as a live recording of the song The Rage to Overcome. The latter song was recorded in Philadelphia on 8 August 2003.