Year of the Dragon
Machine Head · 2000
22 min · 5 tracks · thrash metal
A raw and energetic blend of live performances and unreleased tracks showcasing the band's aggressive sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears Start here — This track opens the EP with a powerful statement about dedication and resilience, embodying Machine Head's signature intensity and lyrical depth.
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Desire to Fire (live) — As a live recording, this track showcases the band's electrifying stage presence and audience connection, highlighting their ability to engage fans.
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New Resistance (demo) — This demo offers a fresh perspective on Machine Head's evolving sound, featuring themes of defiance that resonate throughout their discography.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This EP captures live energy but lacks cohesion due to its mix of studio and live tracks.
What we noticed
- The first track is a studio recording that sets a heavy tone, followed by three live tracks that maintain high energy and intensity.
- The final track is a demo, which contrasts with the rawness of the live recordings and showcases a different production quality.
- The live tracks feature crowd interaction and extended instrumental sections, emphasizing the band's performance aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- live energy from start to
- short bursts of raw intensity
- steady progression through tracks
- engaging sing-along moments
- for high-energy sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- seek polished studio recordings
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid live EP that captures the band's energy but isn't a primary entry point.
- Career context
- Released in January 2000, Year of the Dragon marked a transitional period for Machine Head following their commercial success with The Burning Red. This EP featured live recordings that reflected their extensive touring while also introducing a demo track, hinting at new directions in their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lamb of God· Pantera· Killswitch Engage
Tracklist
- 1 The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears Start here 4:07
- 2 Desire to Fire (live) 4:39
- 3 The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears (live) 4:09
- 4 From This Day (live) 4:31
- 5 New Resistance (demo) 4:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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