Review by Adam M on February 17, 2026.

This album was somewhat revolutionary to the metal genre because it had a groovy feel that has yet to be surpassed by the band and remains a pioneering effort to the genre.  There are very few moments that relax on this album and it is a fierce beast of an album overall.  The music is really fierce throughout and features a good amount of groove.

The musicianship is solid on the album with good guitar playing and a vocal performance that is powerful and has an impact.  There aren’t many albums that have this level of chunkiness to the overall approach and this remains a pioneering effort because of this.  There are a lot of heavy and groovy moments like in “Davidian” that are catchy and will have their effect upon you.

The flaw to the album is that the more modern albums have more developed prog elements to them.  This is still a very influential album that has a groove feel that has yet to be touched by many a band.  There is very little to dislike and the music has an impact time and time again.  There aren’t many albums of this style that have had this much impact.

Overall, this is a very solid album with good performances and tight musicianship.  It is also notable for being an influential groove type of work that has the right amount of groove to make a huge impact.  In conclusion, I enjoyed this album greatly and it remains one of the best Machine Head albums in their discography.

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 30, 2002.

Man, when this bad ass karate-kung fu-ninja disc came out, it let loose one of the mightiest press/public reactions in history. Some called it the resurrection of adrenaline charged metal that had been rapidly deteriorating in the world... I call it one big, cow-slicing, ball-banging, shredding CD. “Burn My Eyes” even today is so awesome, bands like Slipknot and Papa Roach seek shelter from a godly creation that Machine Head have blessed us with. If some of these nu-metal bands had even a wisp of talent and insight that Machine Head had on “Burn My Eyes” then the world would clearly be a better place.

Chock full of 11 anthems of immortality, Rob Flynn and co. go about their business like the very lives of the world depended on it. Absolutely, murderously, chunky guitar riffs in combination with the outstanding drumming of Chris Kontos put any other release to shame! Whether it be a Machine Head ballad (if there is such a thing?) like ‘I’m Your God Now’ or cock-snapping hammer songs like ‘Davidian’ Machine Head go about their business in such a way that you would think music is synonymous with Machine Head and Machine Head synonymous with music.

Machine Head are clearly untouchable and without peer with “Burn My Eyes” and I pray to the Lord every day that they will one day realize their mistakes with more recent albums and come back and touch the hearts of lost little teenage boys everywhere.

Bottom Line: “Burn My Eyes” is so freakingly awesome!!!! If you do not own this disc, well you should go out and buy it.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 10

Rating: 9.4 out of 10