Formed: 1993
From:
San Francisco,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Machine Head burst onto the 90's metal scene serving up 80's style thrash with a contemporary sound that some would even venture to call nu-metal. With former Vio-lence bandmember Rob Flynn handling guitars and vocals, Logan Mader on lead guitars, Adam Duce on bass and Chris Kontos on drums, the band released 'Burn My Eyes' to much critical acclaim. The album became a landmark release for the band and that decade in metal.
Machine Head's lineup would see a few members come and go, and eventually Vio-lence's Phil Demmel would end up back with bandmate Rob Flynn after filling in on guitar on tour for a while.
The band followed up 'Burn My Eyes' with solid sophomore release of 'The More Things Change'. 'The Burning Red', the band's third release, took on a decidely more nu-metal feel. Their fourth release, 'Supercharger', took it a step further, seemingly trying to make that sound more accessible to the masses with Rob singing on certain songs and the overall tempo slower and less heavy than previous releases.
In 2002, the band split with US label Roadrunner Records. Eventually, Machine Head and Roadrunner US worked out their differences and 'Through The Ashes of Empires' was released in the US in 2004, almost 6 months after the European release. The album still charted at #88 on Billboard's albums chart, moving more than 11,000 copies in its first week. While not neccessarily a return to form per se, TTAOE had a much heavier and aggessive sound, while still incorporating many elements of the band's sound as it had evolved over the years.
Latest Machine Head News
Below is our complete Machine Head news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Machine Head Premiere New Single & Music Video
Machine Head‘s new track “My Hands Are Empty” has premiered online streaming via YouTube for you below.
A new official music video for the single was produced as well, with Mike Sloat helming the production. You can watch it below as soon as it has premiered: More...
Machine Head Posts New Lyric Video Online
Outspoken Bay Area metal giants, Machine Head, have unveiled a seething new lyric video for their song "Bulletproof", that's featured on their recently released 2-song digital single, "Civil Unrest." Watch the clip below.
"Bulletproof" is a clear, defiant statement from vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn and band who don't mince words in their fury about the country's disgraceful climate of corruption, injustice, racism and inequality that has risen during the current administration.
Flynn comments on the song, "The lyrics for ‘Bulletproof’ were finished in the aftermath of not only the Ahmaud Arbery murder at the hands of white supremacist, but everything twisting out of control in our World. The isolation and craziness of the pandemic, the lockdown protesters storming government buildings with AR-15‘s, as well as the blatant lies and conspiracies pouring out of our political leaders’ mouths, hour by hour, day after day." More...
Headline News
Former Machine Head/Crowbar Drummer Passes Away
Tony Costanza, the drummer known for his time with Machine Head, Crowbar and Crisis, has sadly passed away at the age of fifty two. The news was broken by his former Crisis and Debris Inc. bandmate Afzaal Nasiruddeen, who posted the following statement on Facebook:
"It is with a heavy heart that I have to accept and inform everyone concerned that I lost my brother, bandmate, homeboy and family today.
"Tony Costanza was one of a kind. A man with a huge heart, love and loyalty for the ones close to him. I cannot relate to the reality of loss yet. I know he had a lot of admirers and I was one of the biggest. He would have literally taken a bullet for me. That's the kind of gangster brother he was.
"Tony died in his sleep this morning so I am sure he was at peace and in no pain. I wish his mother all the strength she can muster as she will need every ounce of it. I will be starting a GoFundMe page for her and Tony's funeral expenses. Please help if you knew him and care.
"Please hold your loved ones close as the sense of loss is insurmountable sometimes.
"Tony my friend. I will love you and cherish our memories together, forever. Hope you are in a better place now. Rest in peace."
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn also paid tribute to the drummer: "Just got the news that our original drummer for Machine Head Tony Costanza passed away. Very sad to hear. Tony was involved in about half of the song on burn my eyes in someway or another, and we maintained our friendship throughout all these years. If anybody has any more information, please DM me" More...
Machine Head Releases New Digital Single
Bay Area metal icons Machine Head have released "Civil Unrest," a 2-song digital single, featuring A-side, "Stop The Bleeding" and B-side, "Bulletproof," with the former featuring additional guest vocals from Killswitch Engage frontman, Jesse Leach. This pair of fierce protest anthems were both written days after the back-to-back murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. They are not for the faint of heart.
The gritty performance video was directed and edited by Mike Sloat, shot on location on the streets of Oakland, CA, with Jesse’s part filmed in Kingston, NY with David Brodsky.
Vocalist / guitarist Robb Flynn shares the inspiration behind the release, "I wrote and sang the lyrics on Wednesday May 27th, 2020, the day that the four officers who murdered George Floyd were (originally) not charged with anything. This day was engulfed in protests and riots across America. I drove into Oakland, past large demonstrations already happening and, in a fury, wrote down everything I was feeling after watching the horrific footage. Within hours, what I wanted to say, what I needed to say had been recorded in the song.
"I decided to sing it over a song called ‘Stop The Bleeding’, that we had recorded back in December 2018 with Jared [MacEachearn, Machine Head bass guitar] and Carlos Cruz [Warbringer] on drums. More...
BPMD (Overkill, Etc.) Premiere Grand Funk Cover
BPMD (Overkill, Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head, ex-Dream Theater etc.) premiere a cover of Grand Funk Railroad‘s “We’re An American Band” as their third single from the supergroup's upcoming debut release, “American Made“, that has been scheduled for a release this Friday, June 12th.
Tells bassist Mark Menghi: More...
Machine Head Announces Australian/NZ Tour Dates
American metal veterans Machine Head has announced that they will be embarking on a string of shows in Australia and New Zealand this September. A statement from the band reads as follows:
"Aussie, Aussie, Aussie... Oi, Oi, Oi!! Head Cases of Australia / New Zealand! Starting September 12th, join Machine Head for 3 hours of metal mayhem, beers, good times, life-affirming sing-a-longs, and raging circle pits. Building on our wildly popular ‘An Evening With…’ format, these not-to-be-missed Machine Fuckin' Head shows will be a three-hour musical extravaganza, comprised of two parts:
"Part I - will feature a battery of Machine Head’s modern classics, such as ‘Imperium,’ ‘Halo,’ and, ‘The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears,’ featuring frontman/guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern performing alongside Vogg (Decapitated) and Matt Alston on guitar and drums.
"Part II - will feature the Bay Area band’s classic debut album, Burn My Eyes played in its entirety for the first time ever with Burn My Eyes-era alumni and Machine Head’s original drummer Chris Kontos and original guitarist, Logan Mader.
"Come celebrate this momentous occasion with us!!" More...
Machine Head Premiere New Song “Circle The Drain”
Machine Head‘s new song “Circle The Drain” has premiered streaming via YouTube below. The track’s origins date back several years with Navene Koperweis (Entheos, ex-Animals As Leaders) having been tapped to handle the studio drumming on the song.
Ex-Machine Head Duo Premiere "The Permanent Decay"
Ex-Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel (now Vio-lence) premieres his new single “The Permanent Decay“. The track was originally written for Machine Head‘s 2018 album, “Catharsis“.
Demmel and his former Machine Head bandmate Dave McClain (now Sacred Reich) joined forces to work out the song. They invited bassist David Ellefson (Megadeth) and singer Brandan Schieppati (Bleeding Through) to collaborate on this particular track.
Machine Head Frontman Responds To Fan Backlash
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn has taken to Instagram following a significant number of complaints and ridicule from fans regarding the band's new song, "Do Or Die," who have noted the similarities it bears to the 2001 Dope song, "Die Motherfucker Die." His message reads as follows:
"To all the bitchass internet troll motherfuckers who keep whining and menstruating about how 'Do Or Die' has lyrics from the band Dope. Here's a little fucking reminder for your moronic nu-metal-brains, since 1993 in our song 'Fuck It All' I’ve been saying 'c'mon motherfucker c'mon' in the middle break down. Here's video of me in 1995 saying it at Dynamo!
"It was a good seven years before Dope's 2001’s 'Die MF Die' came out you fuckin sausage gobblers!
"DUH!!
"Not to mention that any fucking band on the planet saying '______ motherfucker ______' in any combination (and that goes for Coal Chamber, Five Finger Death Punch, Dope, and yes, Machine Head) are all jacking it from 1984's hip hop classic 'The Roof Is On Fire' by Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three. Know your fucking musical history, fuckbois!!
"And if I hear one more fucking internet twathole moaning about 'cringe worthy lyrics' while they sit in front of their computers stroking their little fucking boners to the lyrical genius of fucking Babymetal, eat a bowl of cock! Because the second Pantera's 'Walk' comes on, with such lyrical Edgar Allan Poe-esque masterpiece like 'Run your mouth when I'm not around it's easy to achieve' and 'Walk on home boy' Or Lamb Of God's 'This is a motherfucking invitation' these same fucking brain-donors run right out to the dance floor and start headbanging! And rightly so!!
"P.S. Who the fuck listens to Dope!!??" More...
Machine Head Announces "Burn My Eyes" Tour Dates
Let Freedom Ring! It is with great excitement that Machine Head announce the first leg of their 25 Year Anniversary tour for the band’s classic debut, Burn My Eyes. Check out an announcement video below.
The dates kick off in Germany on October 5th in Freiburg, and continue across Europe and the UK, wrapping in Dublin, Ireland on the 8th of November. The US leg will be announced in due course; those dates are set for November into December as the tour makes its way around the globe.
Building on their wildly popular An Evening With… format, these not-to-be-missed shows will be a three-hour musical extravaganza, comprised of two parts:
Part I - will feature a battery of Machine Head’s modern classics, such as "Imperium," "Halo," and "The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears," featuring frontman/guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern performing alongside two, soon-to-be-announced, ragers on guitar and drums.
Part II - will feature the Bay Area band’s classic debut album, "Burn My Eyes" played in its entirety for the first time ever. And if somehow this historical event could not be monumental enough, taking the stage for this part of the set will be Burn My Eyes-era alumni and Machine Head’s original drummer Chris Kontos and original guitarist, Logan Mader. More...
Demmel Comments On Filling In For Holt In Slayer
Ex-Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel comments on being tapped to fill-in for Gary Holt on the remainder of Slayer‘s current European leg of their farewell tour. Gary Holt announced that he was heading home early to be with his dying father.
Demmel made his live debut with Slayer yesterday (Monday, December 3) at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fan-filmed live footage of the band performing "Hell Awaits" can be seen below:
Comments Phil Demmel on filling in for Gary Holt in Slayer via Instagram: More...
Headline News
Holt Leaves Slayer Tour - Phil Demmel Fills In
Slayer/Exodus guitarist Gary Holt announces that he will be sitting out the remaining 4 dates of Slayer‘s European leg of their current farewell tour to be home with his dying father. Guitarist Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head) has been tapped to fill-in.
The remaining shows for said leg of dates, which also includes Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Obituary, as supports will run as follows:
12/03 Copenhagen, DEN – Royal Arena
12/05 Stockholm, SWE – Hovet
12/06 Oslo, NOR – Spektrum
12/08 Helsinki, FIN – Helsingin Jäähalli
States Gary Holt: More...
MH: Couple Ejected From Venue For Having Sex
During Machine Head's November 21st performance in San Diego, CA two attendees were ejected from the venue for having sex in the front row.
Read the band's reaction below:
“San Diego! HOLY… FREAKIN… SH*T!!!?? When a guy and gal get ejected for having sex during “Davidian” (in the front row no less!?) you know it’s gonna complete insanity! *no joke!*… WOW, what a welcome back you gave us, we are blown away!
Epic circle pits, the jumping was crazy, boobies, sing-a-longs, crowd-surfing-mania, couples having sex!!
San Diego, after an 11 year break from each other, you are officially “un-fired”! Hands down the best show we have EVER played in your amazing city, and one of the wildest and rowdiest of the entire tour! Thank you all so much for an UNFORGETTABLE night of raging!!”
Machine Head‘s current tour will be their last with long-time members Phil Demmel and Dave McClain, who have both decided to step down from the band following the completion of the run.
Today and tomorrow will be the last chances to catch Machine Head with that lineup: More...
Machine Head Posts New Lyric Video Online
Californian metal veterans Machine Head has posted a new lyric video online for the song, "Triple Beam." You can check it out below. The song comes from the band's latest album, "Catharsis," which was released in January of this year through Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
Machine Head has just begun their second North American tour in support of the record, which will also serve as a farewell to longtime members Phil Demmel (guitar, ex Vio-Lence) and Dave McClain (drums, ex Sacred Reich, S.A. Slayer.) The band once again will be giving fans "an evening with” Machine Head, playing over 2 1/2 hours of classic and new material. More...
Breaking News
Machine Head To Split Up
In a ten minute long video posted on Facebook, Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn has announced that the band will split up following a farewell tour. In the video, Flynn stated:
"I'll get right to it. On Monday night, Phil Demmel quit Machine Head and yesterday afternoon, Dave McClain quit Machine Head and Jared kinda quit but didn't know if he was quitting for sure. The tour is still going to go on. We have all agreed to make this a celebration of our music and this era of the band.
"We have grown apart as people. Musically we've grown apart. I have held on too tight to the reigns of this band and I have suffocated those guys. I have some rough edges, which have given us success as a band but they've also hurt the people around me. I have a lot of drive but I have a lot of anger and rage, which has alienated folks in the band. More...
Machine Head Debut New Music Video “Volatile”
Machine Head premiere a music video for their song “Volatile” featuring live footage captured during their UK touring. The track is featured on their latest album, “Catharsis“.
Machine Head will out touring North America this fall on this headlining run: More...
Machine Head Announces North American Tour Dates
San Francisco Bay Area metal titans Machine Head have announced the second leg of their North American tour in support of their new album, "Catharsis." The upcoming dates also include the six rescheduled dates from the first leg were vocalist Robb Flynn contracted a severe viral bronchitis lung infection that lasted for seven weeks. The band will once again will be giving fans "an evening with” Machine Head, playing over 2 1/2 hours of classic and new material.
Flynn comments: "We’re really stoked to be hitting the road in the states and our cannabis legalizing brothers up in Canada again. After the first tour in support of Catharsis hitting typical Machine Head strongholds like Chicago, Denver and Oakland, we’ve been really looking forward to doing a 2nd North American run that hits all the nooks and crannies of America, places that a lot of time get left off a traditional tour routing as they are smaller markets, and maybe route way off the the main highways that run through the states. More...
Machine Head‘s “Catharsis” Opens At #65 On Charts
Machine Head‘s polarizing new release “Catharsis” has opened at #65 on the Billboard 200. The album shifted roughly 9.000 units in the United States during its first week of release, down from the 18.200 sold units its predecessor “Bloodstone & Diamonds” (2014 ) did during its first week. Notably as Machine Head themselves claim below, the effort has performed admirably internationally: More...
Ex-Machine Head Bassist Adam Duce Slams The Band
Frictions between ex-Machine Head bassist Adam Duce and his former band mates don’t appear to have eased with the passing of time. After a fan recently stated that she missed him being in the group via Facebook, Adam Duce took to flaming the band. You can see a screenshot of that below.
As for the new band outfit mentioned in the post, see the above picture taken from Machine Head’s current headlining tour. Duce previously sued the group for 1.8 million after being ousted from the band in a case that was settled in 2014.
Machine Head Premiere New Song
Machine Head premiere another track from their impending new album, “Catharsis“. Below you can stream the song “Volatile” from the effort ahead of its official release today, January 26th.
Machine Head have dedicated the track to Heather D. Heyer, who was killed during the Charlottesville, VA white supremacists protests in August 2017.
The band's ‘s North American tour kicked off yesterday, January 25th, with dates available below: More...