Machine Head: The Burning Red (1999)

The Burning Red by Machine Head, released on August 1, 1999, via Roadrunner Records, marked a significant shift in the band’s musical direction, blending nu-metal and alternative metal elements with their signature heavy sound. Recorded in late 1998 to early 1999 and produced by Ross Robinson at Indigo Ranch Studios, the album features emotional and introspective lyrics, addressing themes of personal struggle and resilience.

Track Listing

Enter the Phoenix
Desire to Fire
Nothing Left
The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears
Silver
From This Day
Exhale the Vile
Message in a Bottle (The Police cover)
Devil with the King’s Card
I Defy
Five
The Burning Red

Album length: 50:02

Music genre

Thrash metal, Groove metal, Nu metal

The Lineup for the Album

Robb Flynn: vocals, guitars
Ahrue Luster: guitars
Adam Duce: bass
Dave McClain: drums

Release Date

August 1, 1999

Record Label

Roadrunner Records

Recording Date

Late 1998 to early 1999

Recording Studio

Ranch Studios (Malibu, California, United States)

Produced by

Ross Robinson

Album Themes/Concept

Personal Struggle and Inner Conflict: The Burning Red delves deeply into personal themes of struggle, pain, and self-exploration. Tracks like “Desire to Fire” and “Nothing Left” reflect frontman Robb Flynn’s internal battles and emotional turmoil. The raw, confessional lyrics explore feelings of anger, frustration, and a quest for self-identity, resonating with listeners who appreciate emotionally charged metal.

Societal Critique and Alienation: The album also addresses themes of societal critique and alienation. “The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears” and “I Defy” express defiance against societal expectations and the feeling of being an outsider. These songs critique social norms and the pressures they impose, encouraging listeners to question authority and societal constructs.

Personal Empowerment and Resilience: A recurring theme in the album is empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity. Songs like “From This Day” carry messages of standing strong and overcoming challenges. The aggressive tone and empowering lyrics serve as anthems for those facing personal and external battles, inspiring a sense of strength and determination.

Emotional Vulnerability: “The Burning Red” stands out for its emotional vulnerability, especially in its title track. This song, along with others like “Silver,” reveals a softer, more introspective side of Flynn’s songwriting. It explores themes of love, loss, and emotional healing, offering a contrast to the album’s heavier, more aggressive tracks.

Album Mood

Dark and Introspective: The Burning Red is characterized by a dark and introspective mood. The lyrics frequently delve into themes of personal pain, inner conflict, and emotional vulnerability. Songs like “The Burning Red” and “Silver” reflect a sense of melancholy and self-exploration, offering listeners a deep, introspective experience that contrasts with the more aggressive tracks on the album.

Aggressive and Defiant: Many tracks on the album exude aggression and defiance, both in their sound and lyrical content. Songs like “Desire to Fire” and “I Defy” showcase intense, powerful riffs and Robb Flynn’s fierce vocal delivery, creating an atmosphere of rebellion and resistance. This mood is perfect for metalheads who appreciate music that channels anger and defiance against societal pressures and personal demons.

Empowering and Resilient: Despite its dark and aggressive tones, the album also carries a sense of empowerment and resilience. Tracks such as “From This Day” convey messages of strength and determination, encouraging listeners to stand firm in the face of adversity. The combination of heavy instrumentation and uplifting lyrics provides a cathartic experience, making the album both a source of solace and inspiration.

Emotional and Vulnerable: The album’s mood is also marked by its emotional depth and vulnerability. The title track “The Burning Red” is particularly notable for its emotional rawness, exploring themes of love, loss, and healing. This softer, more emotional side of the album provides a balance to the heavier tracks, offering a multifaceted listening experience that resonates on a personal level.

Energetic and Intense: Overall, The Burning Red maintains a high level of energy and intensity throughout its runtime. The nu-metal and alternative metal influences bring a dynamic and powerful sound that keeps listeners engaged. Whether through fast-paced, aggressive tracks or slower, emotionally charged songs, the album delivers an intense and captivating experience for metal enthusiasts.

Album Trivia

Production Tensions: During the recording of The Burning Red, tensions between producer Ross Robinson and frontman Robb Flynn were notable. Robinson described the sessions as “very headstrong” and later admitted that his ego got in the way, leading to friction. This tension was reflected in an “ass of the month” post on the band’s website, criticizing Robinson’s handling of the situation and his subsequent comments about the album’s reception.

Album Cover Controversy: The original concept for the album cover involved a severed cow’s head surrounded by flowers, which was deemed too graphic. Another idea featured the band’s name in Japanese kanji, but this was rejected for resembling a Chinese restaurant menu. Ultimately, they settled on the now-iconic phallic orchid photo, which originated from the cow/plate session.

The Cover of “Message in a Bottle”: A standout anecdote is Machine Head’s cover of The Police’s “Message in a Bottle”. The band transformed this classic into a heavy, emotionally intense track, which was later included in Loudwire’s list of “Top 55 Best Metal Covers of Classic Rock”.

Music Video for “From This Day”: The video for “From This Day” was directed by Michael Martin, known for his work with rapper Master P. The video featured Robb Flynn with spiky blonde and black hair, Dave McClain with yellow leopard-print hair, and Ahrue Luster in a Kung Fu outfit. This look was later emulated by Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch. The single was edited for radio play, with the heavier breakdown removed, and the B-side included a cover of Bad Brains’ “House of Suffering” and the track “Alcoholocaust”.

Commercial Success and Certification: Despite mixed reactions from critics and fans due to its nu-metal direction, The Burning Red became Machine Head’s best-selling album for a period. It sold over 134,000 copies in the US and was certified silver in the UK for sales exceeding 60,000 copies.

Sales and Legacy: The Burning Red went on to sell nearly 400,000 copies worldwide and remains one of Machine Head’s best-selling albums. It includes the popular tracks “From This Day” and “Message in a Bottle,” which continue to stream heavily on platforms like Spotify.

“Livin’ La Vida Loco” Tour: Machine Head’s tour to promote The Burning Red was humorously named “Livin’ La Vida Loco,” a play on the popular Ricky Martin song. This tour featured Coal Chamber and Slipknot, with Slipknot quickly rising to phenomenal popularity, sometimes overshadowing the headliners. Slipknot eventually pulled out of their European tour with Machine Head, leading to some tension between the bands.

Touring Excesses and Achievements: The band’s excesses during this period were notorious, with reports of them consuming nearly six liters of vodka each night during the year-long tour cycle. Despite the chaotic lifestyle, Machine Head achieved significant success, selling out venues like the Brixton Academy in London for the first time.

Dave McClain’s Departure and Return: After the tour cycle for The Burning Red, drummer Dave McClain left Machine Head briefly to tour with Systematic, supporting Union Underground, which included an opening act by a then-unknown Linkin Park. McClain rejoined Machine Head after a short stint with Systematic, remaining with the band for the next 18 years.

Reunion and Album Playthrough: In 2022, Robb Flynn and former guitarist Ahrue Luster reunited for a special playthrough of The Burning Red to celebrate its 23rd anniversary. This event, streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube, featured live renditions of all the album’s tracks along with select songs from the Supercharger era and covers of Sepultura’s “Roots Bloody Roots” and Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast”.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

Embrace Nu-Metal Influences: If you enjoy the fusion of heavy metal with alternative and nu-metal elements, The Burning Red offers a unique blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks. The incorporation of rap-metal and groove-metal styles will appeal to fans of bands like Korn and Slipknot.
Appreciate Emotional and Personal Lyrics: Metalheads who connect with introspective and deeply personal lyrics will find The Burning Red compelling. The album delves into themes of pain, struggle, and resilience, offering a raw and emotional listening experience.
Enjoy Dynamic and Varied Tracks: If you prefer albums that offer a range of musical styles and moods, from aggressive anthems to softer, more vulnerable tracks, this album delivers. Songs like “From This Day” and “The Burning Red” showcase this diversity.
Like High-Energy Performances: Fans of energetic and intense music will appreciate the high-octane performances throughout the album. The powerful instrumentation and vocal delivery create a captivating and electrifying atmosphere.
Follow Machine Head’s Evolution: If you are interested in witnessing the evolution of Machine Head’s sound, The Burning Red represents a significant shift in their musical direction. It’s a must-listen for those who want to explore the band’s diverse discography.

You might want to pass this one if you…

Prefer Traditional Metal Styles: If you are a purist who prefers traditional heavy metal or thrash metal without modern influences, The Burning Red might not resonate with you. The album’s nu-metal and alternative elements are a departure from classic metal sounds.
Dislike Rap and Hip-Hop Elements: Metalheads who are not fans of rap or hip-hop influences in their music may find some tracks on this album unappealing. The rap-metal style present in songs like “Desire to Fire” could be a turn-off.
Seek Consistent Musical Tone: If you prefer albums that maintain a consistent tone and style throughout, the varied moods and genres in The Burning Red might seem disjointed. The album’s mix of heavy, aggressive tracks and softer, emotional songs can be jarring for some listeners.
Avoid Mainstream Sounds: For those who shy away from music that leans towards a more mainstream or commercially accessible sound, The Burning Red may not be ideal. The album’s production and some of its stylistic choices reflect an attempt to reach a broader audience.
Expect Purely Heavy Content: If you are looking for an album that is consistently heavy and aggressive from start to finish, The Burning Red might not meet your expectations. The inclusion of more melodic and introspective tracks provides a mix that might not satisfy those looking for relentless heaviness.