Machine Head's first four albums earned the band a growing fan base in Europe, however the band would not have success in their native United States until later releases. The band drew controversy with its fourth album, Supercharger (2001), released three weeks after the September 11 attacks, which resulted in the album's only single, "Crashing Around You", and its music video (which featured burning buildings) being pulled from all media outlets. The band nearly disbanded in 2002 after negotiating off its label Roadrunner Records as a result of the controversy, however the band would eventually re-sign with the label.
Having experimented with elements of groove metal and nu metal in its early releases, Machine Head changed to a more traditional thrash metal sound and longer songs with its sixth album, The Blackening (2007), which drew critical acclaim and was chosen as Album of the Decade by Metal Hammer in 2010; the album's first single, "Aesthetics of Hate", also earned the band its first Grammy Award nomination. The band achieved similar success with its following two albums, Unto the Locust (2011) and Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014), before returning to its nu metal roots with the release of its ninth album, Catharsis (2018).
Machine Head has released nine studio albums, two live albums, one video album, 13 singles and 15 music videos. Four of the band's studio albums have been certified silver in the United Kingdom, and the band's highest peak on the Billboard 200 came with Bloodstone & Diamonds at number 21. To date, the band has sold over three million records worldwide.
Studio albums
Burn My Eyes (1994)
The More Things Change... (1997)
The Burning Red (1999)
Supercharger (2001)
Through the Ashes of Empires (2003)
The Blackening (2007)
Unto the Locust (2011)
Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014)
Catharsis (2018)
Death Church
Machine Head Lyrics
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I been to jail, it didn't make me right
Try and conform but won't be deaf blind dumb
Been beaten down, just harder I've become
Death church rising
Hate church rising
Lost church rising
Hey Jesus can you help me with my pain
Mainline me some religion, keep me sane
Christ suffering upon my TV screen
Send in your money to the faith obscene
Death church rising
Hate church rising
Lost church rising
Death church rising
Strength, truth and honor. words I strive to live
Your faith's profane, it takes never gives
'Cause I'm gonna die standing upon my feet
You're gonna die grovelling on your knees
Death church rising
Hate church rising
Lost church rising
Death church rising
The lyrics to Machine Head's song Death Church speak about the singer's experience with justice and how it made him view it in a different light. Having been to jail before, the singer states that it didn't make him right, meaning that it didn't change him in the way the justice system was supposed to. Despite trying to conform, the singer won't be deaf, blind or dumb, meaning that he won't ignore or turn a blind eye to the injustices he sees. Instead, he has become harder and stronger because of the challenges he's faced.
The chorus of the song, "Death church rising, Hate church rising, Lost church rising," suggests that the singer has lost faith in traditional institutions, including religion, government and justice. He questions Jesus, asking for help with his pain and looking for religion to keep him sane. However, he sees the suffering of Christ on his TV screen and the obscene amounts of money sent in to the faith, causing him to reject religion entirely. The singer speaks of his desire for strength, truth and honor in his life but finds that the faith of others is profane, only taking and never giving.
Overall, the song Death Church conveys a sense of disillusionment with traditional institutions and the hypocrisy of those who claim to represent them. The singer has been beaten down by the world but refuses to give up, standing upon his feet in defiance of those who would have him grovel on his knees.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I look at justice in a different light
My concept of justice is unique and unconventional.
I been to jail, it didn't make me right
Being in prison didn't correct my wrongful behavior.
Try and conform but won't be deaf blind dumb
I resist conforming to societal norms that are oppressive and unjust.
Been beaten down, just harder I've become
Even though life has been difficult, I've become more resilient.
Hey Jesus can you help me with my pain
I am turning to Jesus for relief from my suffering.
Mainline me some religion, keep me sane
I want to immerse myself in religion to preserve my sanity.
Christ suffering upon my TV screen
The depiction of Christ's pain and suffering on TV overwhelms me emotionally.
Send in your money to the faith obscene
The church asking for money is morally offensive to me.
Strength, truth and honor. words I strive to live
I endeavor to embody strength, truth and honor in my life.
Your faith's profane, it takes never gives
Your religion is sacrilegious and self-serving.
'Cause I'm gonna die standing upon my feet
I am determined to maintain my dignity and honor until the end of my life.
You're gonna die groveling on your knees
You will die submissively, with no sense of pride or self-respect.
Death church rising
The culture of death and destruction is getting stronger.
Hate church rising
The culture of hatred and intolerance is gaining momentum.
Lost church rising
The culture of despair and disillusionment is on the rise.
Death church rising
The culture of death and destruction is getting stronger.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM DUCE, CHRIS KONTOS, LOGAN CONRAD MADER, ROBERT CONRAD FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind