One word: CLASSIC!!! I might not be a (free) jazz expert, I haven't grown up with this type of music, I've actually been exploring the genre throughout the years out of pure curiosity due to the occasional name-dropping and cross-references with other artists I enjoy; but this album is so distinctive and unique to Brötzmann that it doesn't take a genius to figure out how influential and powerful Machine Gun is. I'm 100% certain John Zorn was partially inspired by this album for his Naked City project. And is it any wonder? Machine Gun is the sound of war through jazz. One can almost hear the bullets ripping through flesh, the yelling, suffering and pain, the loud detonations, the bad weather, the blood, the camaraderie and the madness within the music. Such vivid imagery through sound is rarely this powerful. Machine Gun includes two different takes of the title song, two takes of the equally violent Responsible and a wild ode to Han Bennink. Must have!