Machine Head, featuring Dave McClain (photo) behind the drums, is currently recording “The Blackening” at Sharkbite Studios in the band’s hometown of Oakland, California.\"This is the most ambitious thing we have ever attempted. We all challenged ourselves and each other to write a record that pushed the boundaries of complexity and technical structure.”
Meanwhile, Flynn’s lyrics have gone from what has been, recently, a more introspective focus, back to the social commentary tackled on previous albums like \"Burn My Eyes\". Flynn continues:
\"The nature of what is happening in the world led to a darker, bleaker album in every sense.”
Pointed and timely, the lyrics in songs such as Clenching The Fists Of Dissent, A Farewell To Arms and Halo touch upon politics, the war in Iraq and organized religion. The lyrics to the aforementioned songs spit anger and disdain at their topics in the true spirit of angst that fueled punk rock in the mid- 80\'s.
Aesthetics Of Hate captures the bands anger towards an article that bashed ‘Dimebag’ Darrell right after his death and slammed the metal community as a whole for mourning it. The band actually performed this new track during the special appearances they made along the Sounds of the Underground Tour this past summer. Now I Lay Thee Down has a Romeo and Juliet-esque love story slant to it, while Slanderous addresses the hate that still permeates throughout society. Wolves, tackles the bands competitive, ‘winner take all’ spirit.
Machine Head fans have always played a big part in the recording process. However, for the first time ever, the band brought in a group of loyal fans and had them sing backing vocals on a new track. Additionally, as with previous efforts the band has once again allowed their fans into their world through online diaries and pioneering the use of “video updates” from the studio and the road. All of which can be seen on the official MH site.
Slowing down from the roller coaster ride of \"Through The Ashes Of Empires\" to write “The Blackening” was a natural evolution. Upon release of \"Through The Ashes Of Empires\" in April 2004 (2003 overseas), the band embarked on what would become the most successful, and comprehensive touring cycle of their careers. The relentless trek around the globe saw MH headlining three major U.S. runs, bringing as support rising metal stars including Trivium, Chimaira, DevilDriver and Arch Enemy.
The band also completed two headlining tours of the U.K. and Europe and a headlining tour of Australia. Machine Head headlined the Wacken festival in Germany and was one of the first metal bands to play the Middle East when they played Dubai’s Desert Rock Festival. The culmination of the world tour was the filming of Machine Head’s amazingly successful dvd \"Elegies\" at a sold out Brixton Academy in London, England in front of 5,000 fans (affectionately called ‘Head Cases’). \"Elegies\" debuted in the Top 20 on various charts around the world including at #13 on Billboard’s Music Video Chart in the U.S.
Machine Head is Robert Flynn (vocals / guitars), Dave McClain (drums), Adam Duce (bass / backing vocals) and Phil Demmel (lead guitars).
