Aesthetics of Hate
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| “Aesthetics of Hate” | |||||
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| Song by Machine Head | |||||
| Album | The Blackening | ||||
| Released | March 27, 2007 | ||||
| Recorded | 2006 | ||||
| Genre | Thrash metal | ||||
| Length | 6:35 | ||||
| Label | Roadrunner | ||||
| Writer | Robert Flynn | ||||
| Producer | Robert Flynn | ||||
| The Blackening track listing | |||||
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"Aesthetics of Hate" is a song by heavy metal band Machine Head from their sixth studio album The Blackening. Written by Machine Head vocalist and guitarist Robert Flynn, the song is a retaliation to an article written by William Grim. Grim wrote that late guitarist Dimebag Darrell was "an ignorant, barbaric, untalented possessor of a guitar", among others. After reading the article, Flynn wrote "Aesthetics of Hate" as a "fuck you" to Grim and a tribute to Dimebag.
"Aesthetics of Hate" was recorded at Sharkbite Studios, in Oakland, California. Rough demos of the song were penned in February 2005 and November 2005, although they contained what Flynn described as a "totally fucking lame 'Angel of Death' rip off". The song received mixed critical reviews with Blabbermouth.net's Don Kaye describing the track as "literally breathtaking", while J.D. Considine of Blender thought "calls for biblical vengeance just sound silly." The song was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards.
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[edit] Background
"Aesthetics of Hate" was written by Machine Head vocalist and guitarist Robert Flynn. Written as a retaliation to an article by William Grim for the conservative web site Iconoclast, the article praised Dimebag Darrell's murder by Nathan Gale, while Darrell was performing with the band Damageplan on December 8, 2004. Titled "Aesthetics of Hate: R.I.P. Dimebag Abbott, & Good Riddance", Grim wrote the article stating Darrell was "part of a generation that has confused sputum with art and involuntary reflex actions with emotion", "an ignorant, barbaric, untalented possessor of a guitar" who looks "more simian than human".[1]
After reading the article, Flynn was furious and wrote "Aesthetics of Hate" as a "fuck you" to Grim and Dimebag detractors. He wrote a message on the band's forum expressing his friendship with Darrell and spoke about Grim:
What would YOU know about love or values? What would YOU know about giving to the world? All that you know is teaching prejudice, and your heart is as black as the 'ignorant, filthy, and hideously ugly, heavy metal fans' you try and paint in your twisted, fictitious ramblings. It's because of people like YOU, that there are Nathan Gale's in this world, NOT the Dimebags and metal musicians who work to unite people through music.[1]
—Robert Flynn
[edit] Recording
In February 2005, Machine Head had penned a rough version of "Aesthetics of Hate". A 13-track November 2005 demo featured the song, although it contained what Flynn described as a "totally fucking lame 'Angel of Death' rip off. I hated it every time we played it so I was glad to see that part go!"[2] The band entered Sharkbite Studios, in Oakland, California on August 21, 2006 to begin recording. Production duties were handled by Flynn with assistance from Mark Keaton, and mixing by Colin Richardson.[3]
[edit] Critical reception
"Aesthetics of Hate" received mixed reviews from music critics. Blabbermouth.net's Don Kaye described the track as "literally breathtaking" and said that the song "channels its title emotion into a blazing volcano of pure speed and furious guitarwork from Flynn and Phil Demmel."[4] Reviewing for France's Hard 'N Heavy magazine, Anthrax's Scott Ian felt that the song is "a riff-o-rama showing off Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel's killer guitar work."[5] Thom Jurek of All Music Guide felt "the intense dual arpeggios between both guitarists -- Flynn and Phil Demmel on 'Aesthetics of Hate' (as just one example) are among the tightest ever".[6] However, J.D. Considine of Blender commented that the song "cuts from screaming guitars to an ominously whispered, 'May the hands of God strike them down'. Without oversize hooks, calls for biblical vengeance just sound silly."[7]
"Aesthetics of Hate" received a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards. The ceremony took place on February 12, 2008, with Machine Head being beaten out by Slayer's "The Final Six".[8] Flynn commented on the nomination, "We are completely blown away, and honored by this. It's incredible that the anger of this song has connected with so many people. It proves to Dimebag's detractors the positive impact he had on his fans and fellow bands alike."[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Flynn, Robert (2004-12-20). Machine Head's Robert Flynn: "Long Live Dimebag Darrell In The Hearts Of Us All". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
- ^ Machine Head. Midwest Metal. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
- ^ Machine Head Frontman: "I Can't Remember Ever Being This Excited About Recording". Blabbermouth.net (2006-08-22). Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- ^ Kaye, Don. Blabbermouth Review - The Blackening. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ Ian, Scott. Hard N' Heavy Review - The Blackening. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ Jurek, Thom. All Music Guide - The Blackening. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
- ^ J.D. Considine (2007-04-17). Blender - The Blackening. Blender. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
- ^ Best Metal Performance. Grammy.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
- ^ Machine Head frontman comments on Grammy nod. Blabbermouth.net (2008-01-08). Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
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