Phil Demmel Machine Head is a legendary thrash steel band that has been leaving its mark on the music business since 1991. Because the guitarist for the band, Phil Demmel has been a vital a part of their evolution and important milestones.
The band’s sound is characterised by their aggressive riffs, highly effective drumming, and Phil Demmel’s signature guitar enjoying type, which has captivated followers worldwide.
Introduction to Phil Demmel Machine Head

Machine Head, one of many pioneering bands of the thrash steel style, has been making waves within the music world since its inception in 1991. Born from the ashes of the enduring band Vio-Lence, Machine Head has advanced through the years, experimenting with completely different sounds whereas sustaining its thrash steel roots.
Fashioned in 1991, Machine Head has launched a complete of 9 studio albums, establishing itself as one of many main bands within the steel scene.
The Formation of Machine Head
Machine Head was first fashioned in 1991 by Dave McClain, who would later develop into the band’s drummer. The band’s authentic lineup included guitarist Phil Demmel, alongside bassist Adam MacDougall, drummer Chris Kontos, and vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn. Phil Demmel, a talented guitarist with a particular enjoying type, rapidly grew to become a pivotal member of the band.
Machine Head’s early sound, influenced by thrash steel and punk, was characterised by its aggressive and fast-paced tempo. Their debut album, ‘Burn My Eyes’, launched in 1994, showcased the band’s uncooked vitality and potential. Though the album acquired favorable critiques from critics, the band confronted important challenges, together with lineup modifications and the departure of authentic drummer Chris Kontos.
Evolution and Milestones
After Phil Demmel changed authentic guitarist Adam McManus in 1994, the band’s sound remodeled. With a extra refined and mature method, Machine Head launched ‘The Burning Pink’ in 1999. This album, thought of a serious turning level within the band’s evolution, showcased their capability to mix components of thrash steel with extra fashionable, melodic sounds.
A few of the standout tracks from ‘The Burning Pink’ embrace ‘Crash the System’ and ‘Need’.
Lineup Modifications and Future Developments
All through the years, Machine Head has undergone a number of lineup modifications, with Phil Demmel remaining a constant presence. The band’s sound has continued to evolve, incorporating extra complicated rhythms and atmospheric components.
With the departure of founding members Adam MacDougall (1994) and Dave McClain (2018), the band has solidified its present lineup with guitarist Wuv Bernardo, drummer Jason Costa, and Phil Demmel.
Machine Head has demonstrated its resilience and adaptableness within the face of challenges, persistently pushing the boundaries of thrash steel and cementing its standing as a number one pressure within the steel scene.
Machine Head’s Music with Phil Demmel: Phil Demmel Machine Head
Machine Head’s sound has undergone important transformations since Phil Demmel joined the band because the lead guitarist. The California-based heavy steel group has persistently produced music that blends varied kinds, showcasing Demmel’s versatility. Phil’s work with Machine Head has not solely influenced the band’s total sound but additionally helped form the style of steel.
Notable Albums with Phil Demmel
Machine Head’s music with Phil Demmel has produced a number of notable albums that exhibit his guitar work. Listed here are a few of these albums:
- The ‘By the Ashes of Empires’ album is a main instance of Phil Demmel’s work with Machine Head. Launched on November 9, 2003, this file marked a departure from the band’s earlier sound, incorporating extra melodic and symphonic components.
- Tracks like ‘The Architect’ and ‘Tooth’ showcase Demmel’s capability to steadiness crushing riffs with intricate guitar work. These songs exhibit the band’s capability to mix aggressive steel with catchy, memorable melodies.
- ‘By the Ashes of Empires’ is usually cited as a turning level in Machine Head’s profession, cementing their standing as one of many main steel bands of the time. This album’s success may be attributed to Phil Demmel’s modern guitar enjoying type, which added a brand new dimension to the band’s sound.
- Machine Head’s ‘The Blackening’ album, launched on March 27, 2007, additional solidified the band’s place within the steel scene. This file options Phil Demmel’s intricate guitar work, notably in tracks like ‘Aesthetics of Hate’ and ‘Clenching the Fists of Dissent’. These songs showcase the band’s capability to craft complicated, atmospheric steel music.
- Machine Head’s ‘Killers & Thieves’ album, launched on April 1, 2009, is one other notable launch with Phil Demmel on guitar. This file options a mixture of fast-paced, aggressive tracks and slower, extra introspective songs. Phil’s guitar work on songs like ‘Stunning Mourning’ and ‘Vengeance’ demonstrates his capability to adapt to completely different kinds and moods.
- Machine Head’s ‘Bloodstone & Diamonds’ album, launched on March 27, 2014, continues the band’s exploration of recent sounds and kinds. Phil Demmel’s guitar work on this file is especially notable, notably in tracks like ‘Into the Pepper Mill’ and ‘Crimson’. These songs showcase the band’s capability to mix complicated time signatures with catchy, memorable melodies.
Influential Machine Head Songs
Phil Demmel’s guitar work has been an integral a part of Machine Head’s sound, and he has been chargeable for lots of the band’s most influential songs.
- ‘Aesthetics of Hate’ is a standout monitor from Machine Head’s ‘The Blackening’ album, launched in 2007. The track options an intricate guitar riff and showcases Phil Demmel’s capability to craft complicated, aggressive steel music.
- ‘Vengeance’ is one other notable monitor from the identical album, that includes a driving rhythm and a memorable guitar solo. The track is a main instance of Phil Demmel’s capability to steadiness aggression with melody.
- ‘The Haunting’ is a hauntingly lovely monitor from Machine Head’s ‘Killers & Thieves’ album, launched in 2009. The track contains a hovering guitar solo and showcases Phil Demmel’s capability to craft atmospheric, introspective steel music.
- Bloodstone & Diamonds can also be an instance of influential Machine head songs that showcase the guitar work by Phil Demmel. Launched in 2014, this album incorporates a number of hits reminiscent of into the pepper mill and crimson.
Collaborations and Visitor Appearances
As a member of Machine Head, Phil Demmel has been a part of quite a few collaborations and visitor appearances with different famend artists. This demonstrates his versatility as a musician and his capability to adapt to varied kinds and genres. Demmel’s collaborations showcase his ability as a guitarist and spotlight the impression he has made within the steel music scene.
One notable instance of Demmel’s work outdoors of Machine Head may be seen in his collaborations with different bands. In 2013, he joined forces with the Swedish steel band Scar Symmetry on their single “The Acoustic Experiment”. This distinctive collaboration allowed Demmel to showcase his acoustic guitar abilities and discover a special aspect of his musicianship.
### Notable Collaborations
Machine Head Collaborations
Machine Head’s intensive discography showcases the band’s collaborative efforts with different notable artists. Some notable examples embrace:
- The band’s work with Dino Cazares, the guitarist of Concern Manufacturing unit, on the track ‘Elegy’ from the album ‘By the Ashes of Empires’, launched in 2003. This track represents a singular fusion of kinds between the 2 bands.
- Machine Head’s 2007 collaboration with the band Shadows Fall on their track ‘Stunning Mourning’, launched as a single from the album ‘The Blackening’.
Phil Demmel’s Outdoors Collaborations, Phil demmel machine head
Along with his work with Machine Head, Phil Demmel has additionally collaborated with different bands and artists outdoors of the steel style.
- Demmel’s work with the band The Haunted on their track ‘Bury Your Lifeless’ from the album ‘The Haunted: Power’. This showcases Demmel’s capability to mix his steel abilities with the extra complicated, progressive type of The Haunted.
- Demmel’s 2020 collaboration with the band Dying Angel on their track ‘Below Your Scorn’. This collaboration highlights Demmel’s adaptability and his capability to work with completely different kinds.
Variations in Type
A comparability of Demmel’s work with Machine Head and his collaborations with different artists reveals a definite shift in type. Demmel’s work with Machine Head is characterised by its high-energy, aggressive sound, whereas his outdoors collaborations showcase a extra various and experimental method.
- Demmel’s work with different artists typically options extra complicated, intricate guitar work in comparison with his Machine Head contributions.
- His collaborations additionally ceaselessly incorporate completely different kinds and genres, from progressive steel to experimental rock.
Demmel’s collaborations exhibit his capability to adapt and experiment with completely different kinds, showcasing his versatility as a musician and his dedication to exploring new and modern sounds.
Tools and Gear

Phil Demmel, the famend guitarist of Machine Head, has been recognized to wield quite a lot of guitar fashions and tools settings which have contributed considerably to the band’s distinctive sound.
In the case of guitar fashions, Phil Demmel has ceaselessly utilized B.C. Wealthy and Gibson guitars, amongst different notable manufacturers. Demmel’s choice for B.C. Wealthy Warlock and Ironbird fashions is a testomony to the enduring guitar producer’s affect on the steel music scene. However, his occasional use of Gibson Les Paul and SG fashions showcases the flexibility of his enjoying type and adaptableness to completely different guitar fashions.
Guitar Fashions
Phil Demmel has primarily used the next notable guitar fashions:
- Warlock (B.C. Wealthy)
- Ironbird (B.C. Wealthy)
- Gibson Les Paul
- Gibson SG
Demmel’s affinity for B.C. Wealthy guitars stems from their distinctive mix of modern design and distinctive playability. His frequent use of those guitars may be noticed in the course of the band’s reside performances, the place he seamlessly transitions between distinct chord progressions and soloing.
Amplifier Settings
Phil Demmel’s amplifier settings have performed a significant position in shaping the sonic id of Machine Head. His choice for high-gain amplifiers with a mixture of clear and overdriven channels ensures the supply of a wealthy and aggressive sound. When using Mesa/Boogie dual-channel amplifiers or EVH amp heads, Demmel adjusts the settings to steadiness treble and bass frequencies, offering readability to the guitar tone with out sacrificing the general heaviness.
Results Pedals
Demmel ceaselessly incorporates results pedals into his setup to boost the general sonic palette of his enjoying. His most popular results pedals embrace:
- Professional Co Rat
- MXR Distortion+
- TC Digital G-System
- MXR Micro Amp
The inclusion of overdriven results reminiscent of distortion and fuzz pedals, alongside the Professional Co Rat’s notable presence in Demmel’s rig, contribute to his distinctive guitar tone which serves as a basis for the band’s aggressive steel sound.
Comparability with Notable Thrash Metallic Guitarists
Demmel’s decisions in gear may be in comparison with different thrash steel guitarists, showcasing distinct variations and similarities:
- Kerry King (Slayer)
- Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
- Rob Cavestany (Dying Angel)
- James Hetfield (Metallica)
As an illustration, Phil Demmel’s high-gain amplifier preferences distinction with Kerry King’s outstanding use of low-gain channels, highlighting distinct sonic identities throughout the thrash steel style. Moreover, Demmel’s reliance on B.C. Wealthy guitars diverges from James Hetfield’s intensive use of ESP fashions, additional emphasizing the numerous approaches to gear and sound inside steel music.
Final Phrase

Total, Phil Demmel Machine Head’s music is a testomony to the band’s dedication to their craft and their affect on the steel style. With a legacy that continues to encourage new generations of steel lovers, Phil Demmel Machine Head stays an iconic pressure within the music world.
FAQ Part
What style of music does Machine Head belong to?
Machine Head is a thrash steel band.
What’s Phil Demmel’s most popular guitar model?
Phil Demmel’s most popular guitar model is Ernie Ball.
What’s the title of Phil Demmel’s facet undertaking band?
Phil Demmel’s facet undertaking band is Vio-Lence.
Has Machine Head collaborated with different notable bands?
Sure, Machine Head has collaborated with different notable bands, together with Slayer and Cannibal Corpse.