So sometime in January I received a message from a good friend telling me, not asking me, but telling me, "unless I had a great excuse as to why not," I was going to London for my birthday. What could I say? It was an unbelievably cool gesture, not to mention a beyond generous gift that a month later I still can't believe I was on the receiving end of.
Next thing I knew it was 2/17 and I was boarding a plane for London. I was going to see my friends Machine Head headline a show in the UK on 2/18 and that was that.
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Brixton as a venue is a very important to the history of MH. They've recorded both of their official live documentations at this very place and as a fan of the band I totally took this into consideration. This is also the site of the last Max Cavalera era Sepultura show ('Under a Pale Grey Sky') as well as live albums by Priest and Motorhead.
The set-list was stacked. I mean all the bases were covered and the highlights were multiple. I know many bands say shit like "we're playing songs we've never played before, or songs we haven't played in X amount of years." We've all heard it and usually those tend to be a let down when they don't appease the fanatic in each of us.
All the touring Machine Head did with Metallica? They definitely learned to not only keep themselves on their toes with "deep cuts" and seldom heard songs, but also the die-hards. Those who attend multiple shows of which there were plenty here tonight.
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2.18.10
Clenching The Fists of Dissent
Imperium
Take My Scars
Bite The Bullet
Beautiful Mourning
Now I Lay Thee Down
All Falls Down – 1st time ever played
Aesthetics of Hate
Old
The Burning Red
Exhale The Vile
Bulldozer
Block
Halo
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Walking in there for the first time is somewhat blurry now, but I do remember Saxon's "Denim and Leather" just BLASTING and knowing this was it, I was "home!" At some point the bar was cleared and we were the only occupants, it was a killer way to end such a historic night.
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(watch his left hand...)
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This evening was above and beyond anything you could have ever planned. Use whatever word you'd normally use and multiply it by 10! The Big Red was another place I instantly felt at home in. From the "Americana" vibe of the Chuck Norris and Harley Davidson posters to the GODLY Nacho's...trust me, this place rules!
In the above photo to the right is a guy named Paul Brannigan. He is the former Editor of Kerrang! Magazine and let me tell you this...I just went uber-geek on the guy as we talked shop about every-fucking-thing under the sun as it pertains to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.
And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. From bands we enjoy to gigs we've seen to dates and albums and people. He is a fucking great guy and he made this fanzine editor from Chicago's world by going toe-to-toe practically the entire evening.
In the above photo to the right is a guy named Paul Brannigan. He is the former Editor of Kerrang! Magazine and let me tell you this...I just went uber-geek on the guy as we talked shop about every-fucking-thing under the sun as it pertains to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.
And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. From bands we enjoy to gigs we've seen to dates and albums and people. He is a fucking great guy and he made this fanzine editor from Chicago's world by going toe-to-toe practically the entire evening.
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Both shows had that undeniable vibe the band brings with them, so it was another really electrifying performance. Deep cut "A Nation on Fire" from their 94 debut was an instant highlight as was "Seasons Wither" from their "Through The Ashes of Empires."
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2.21.10 - O2 Academy
Clenching The Fists of Dissent
Imperium
Struck A Nerve
A Nation on Fire
Ten Ton Hammer
Now I Lay Thee Down
Beautiful Mourning
Aesthetics of Hate
Old
The Burning Red
Seasons Wither
Bulldozer
Block
Halo
Davidian
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In the immortal words of the friend that made it all happen...
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