Burn My Eyes

Burn My Eyes is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Machine Head, released on August 9, 1994, by Roadrunner Records. The album's themes generally tie into the social disorder and corresponding inner tension that the band was exposed to in their native Oakland, California, reflected in Robb Flynn's lyrics, such as the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 and the Waco Siege of 1993.<ref name=release-date>Template:Cite web</ref> The album's title alludes to the third part of the phrase, "Burn my eyes and try to blind me" during the breakdown of "Old". The album shipped over 400,000 copies worldwide, becoming Roadrunner Records's best-selling debut album until the release of Slipknot's self-titled debut album.<ref name="Revolver">Template:Cite journal</ref> This is Machine Head's only studio album to feature drummer Chris Kontos.

Album information

The songs make references to some certain well-publicized controversies such as the 1992 Los Angeles Riots (heard in dialogue on "Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies") and the Waco Siege of 1993 ("Davidian"). Elsewhere, there are tales of physical and mental abuse ("None But My Own", "The Rage to Overcome"), the condemning of profits from religious soliciting ("Death Church"), succumbing to substance abuse ("I'm Your God Now"), and aforementioned themes of urban decay, social unrest, rebellion, belligerence, or socio-political commentary.

Stylistically, the album is credited as having bridged the gap between "second-generation Bay Area thrash (Testament, Death Angel, etc.) and the modern-day Pantera school of hard knocks."<ref name="AllMusic" /> Compared to their later releases, it's rawer and more aggressive; after changing their sound on their three subsequent albums, the style was resurrected in modified form—the influences of Gothenburg were evident—on their post-Supercharger output.

The release of this album was followed shortly by numerous tours, which eventually led to drummer Chris Kontos leaving the band and being replaced, after careful consideration, by Dave McClain, who would stay with the band until 2018. Kontos, along with guitarist Logan Mader, would return to Machine Head in 2019 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Burn My EyesTemplate:'s release with a tour, though neither of them officially rejoined the band.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The album has since become a lasting success. In 1994, it quickly became a Roadrunner Records best seller and was the label's best-selling debut album for a number of years, until the release of Slipknot's 1999 self-titled debut.

Cancelled re-release

On October 31, 2006, Roadrunner Records announced that as part of their 25th anniversary, they would be re-releasing Burn My Eyes with a bonus CD, which includes previously unreleased tracks and rarities. It was said to be due out on January 8, 2007, but was then pushed back to September 2007 so it would not interfere with the release of The Blackening. However, the re-release was cancelled. Robb Flynn explained this on his blog, which is posted on Machinehead1.com:

Reception

• Q magazine – "A violent, grinding experience, spiked with social comment and spruced up with some brain-tingling guitar solos. Straddling the new '90s metal subject matter of religion, war and injustice, Burn My Eyes is a colossal album, a landmark."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Track listing

Australian tour edition

The following songs constitute the entirety of the Burn My Eyes Demo. Template:Tracklist

Personnel

Machine Head

• Robb Flynn – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Logan Mader – lead guitar
• Adam Duce – bass, backing vocals
• Chris Kontos – drums

Artwork

• Dave McKean – cover illustration and design
• Jesse Fischer – band photo
• Harald O. & Wasco – live photos
• Robb Flynn – Machine Head logo

Production

• Colin Richardson – production, mixing
• Machine Head – co-production
• Vincent Wojno – engineering, recording, mixing at Scream Studios
• Steven Werner, Liz Sroka – assistant engineering
• Eddy Schreyer – mastering at Future Disc, California

Managerial

• Monte Conner – A&R
• Joseph W. Huston – management
• Jeffery Saltzman – legal representation
• Jonathan Wexler – accounting

Chart performance

Template:Album chart

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Austrian Albumsv(Ö3 Austria)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	29
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	45
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	35
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	38
UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="ukchart">Template:Cite web</ref>	25

Chart (2020)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	164