Machine Head Bio

Machine Head Biography

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Machine Head is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1992 in Oakland, California. Founded by singer and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce, the band has been plagued by lineup changes and drug abuse since its inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn (vocals, guitar), Duce bass, Phil Demmel (guitar), and Dave McClain (drums).

Machine Head was formed by ex-Vio-lence member Robb Flynn and his roommate, Adam Duce after a physical confrontation between the band and a gang. Fearing for their lives, Flynn departed from Vio-lence and started writing music with Duce, forming Machine Head in 1992. Though the band's first album was a success, Machine Head had a series of albums that earned the band criticism for "selling out". With four former members, the band nearly disbanded in 2002 after its label, Roadrunner Records, dropped them from the roster due to poor album sales and controversy. The band resigned with Roadunner soon after and have released two albums since then. In 2007, the band released The Blackening, which was named the band's "masterpiece" and earned Machine Head its first Grammy Award nomination.

Machine Head: History

Machine Head - Formation and Burn My Eyes

Machine Head was formed in 1992 in Oakland, California by vocalist/guitarist Robert Flynn and bassist Adam Duce. Flynn had recently parted ways with Vio-lence after a physical fight between the band members and a local gang. He still had a desire to write music and along with Duce recruited guitarist Logan Mader and drummer Tony Costanza to form Machine Head. The band's name was thought of by Flynn because it "sounded cool", despite the popular belief that it came from the Deep Purple album of the same name. The band started jamming in a local warehouse shared with four punk rock bands. Machine Head recorded a demo in a friend's bedroom, funded with $800, made from Duce dealing speed and marijuana. A record executive representing Roadrunner Records listened to the demo and signed the band.

Machine Head entered Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California to record its debut album Burn My Eyes. Not long into production, Constanza left the band and was replaced by Chris Kontos. Most of the songs on the album were songs written by Flynn and Duce during the time Flynn was not in a band, about "being pissed off" from his previous struggles in Vio-lence, as well as both of their battles with illegal drugs. Produced by Colin Richardson, the album was released on August 9, 1994. The album shipped nearly 400,000 copies worldwide, becoming Roadrunner Records' best selling debut album. All Music Guide reviewer John Franck stated "Burn My Eyes is a bone-shattering exercise in brutality".

Not long after Burn My Eyes's release, Kontos was fired from the band because he was not keeping to touring commitments. Kontos went on to play drums with Testament, and was replaced by Dave McClain. With a new member, Machine Head started touring heavily in support of the album, opening for Slayer. After a few months, the band headlined its own tour, performing in the same venues they opened for Slayer.

Machine Head - The More Things Change... and The Burning Red

After touring for Burn My Eyes, Machine Head entered the studio to record its second studio album, The More Things Change..., with Richardson producing and mixing for a second time. The album was released on March 25, 1997, and debuted at number 138 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Machine Head toured on the first Ozzfest for the first tour in support of the album. Mader showed up to a practice session late, high on methamphetamine, cursing and insulting the band members; and quit the band later that day. Ahrue Luster replaced him and finished touring.

After three years of touring and working with producer Ross Robinson, Machine Head released its third studio album, The Burning Red, on August 10, 1999. Luster influenced the band to add new elements to the band's music, including rapping vocals. This change in musical direction was highly criticized, with critics and fans alike accusing the band of "selling out". McClain stated they weren't trying to sound like popular bands but "wanted to sound different". Rick Anderson of All Music Guide stated Machine Head was "sounding a bit looser and less constricted musically than they have in the past". The Burning Red became Machine Head's top selling album for a number of years, and debuted at number 88 on the Billboard 200.

Machine Head - Supercharger and Through the Ashes of Empires

Machine Head finished touring for The Burning Red, and entered a studio with producer Johnny K to record Supercharger. Debuting at number 115 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on October 2, 2001. The album met the same criticism as The Burning Red, especially for the ever-present rapping vocals. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated Supercharger "is likely to disappoint everyone who is expecting the Bay Area quartet to return to the ultra-testosterone-charged sounds of their first two albums".

Machine Head released a single for "Crashing Around You" as well as a music video. The video was released several weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and was banned from MTV for the depictions of falling buildings. Roadrunner Records, expecting to make a fair profit from album promotions, dropped the band's funding, causing Machine Head to leave the label. At the same time the band was leaving Roadrunner, Luster departed from the band for musical differences. Phil Demmel, who played alongside Flynn in Vio-lence, filled in as a temporary guitarist for several concerts in Europe. To complete contract obligations with Roadrunner, Machine Head released its first live album, Hellalive, which included several tracks with Demmel playing guitar. Although the band departed from the American portion of the label, Machine Head re-signed with Roadrunner International.

After Machine Head's European tour, Demmel returned to his family business and the band started writing together as a three-piece, while leaving a position open for Demmel. In March 2003, Demmel joined Machine Head as a full time guitarist and started writing with the band. By June 2003, Machine Head entered a studio with Flynn producing. On October 27, 2003, Machine Head released Through the Ashes of Empires in Europe.

The band was turned down by multiple record labels in the United States, until Roadrunner USA, interested in the new album, offered Machine Head another record contract. Machine Head accepted the offer on the grounds that the band owns 100% of the music. On April 20, 2004, Through the Ashes of Empires was released in the United States with a bonus track for the Americans' long wait for the album's release. The album debuted at number 88 on the Billboard 200. The band released a single for "Imperium", the video for which received heavy rotation on MTV. Ed Rivadavia of All Music Guide stated Through the Ashes of Empires "marked a return to form in no uncertain terms".

Machine Head headlined the True Metal stage at the 2005 Wacken Open Air festival to 40,000 fans-the band's largest headlining crowd. The band released a DVD containing a full sold out concert held at the Brixton Academy in December 2004, a documentary, and music videos. The DVD debuted at number 13 on the United States music video charts.

Machine Head - The Blackening

Robb Flynn performing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Machine Head's sixth studio album, titled The Blackening, was released in North America on March 27, 2007. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 53, the highest charting position for the band, with first-week sales of 15,000. The album received positive reviews from music critics, with some labeling it the best metal album of 2007. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Don Kaye awarded the album a 9.5 out of 10, saying The Blackening is "one of the purest, finest, most powerful expressions of modern heavy metal released" and compared it to the 1988 Metallica album ...And Justice for All, while All Music Guide editor Thom Jurek described the album as "an over the top rage and pummelfest with all the qualities that earned the group its enormous fan base by touring and recording", praising the songs "Beautiful Mourning", "Halo", and "Now I Lay Thee Down". Rolling Stone reviewer Andy Greene, however, responded negatively as he was displeased with the songs running over ten minutes.

Machine Head toured North America with Lamb of God, Trivium and Gojira in early 2007 to promote The Blackening, and opened for Megadeth and Heaven and Hell in April 2007. A European tour saw the band make an appearance at the Download Festival in Donington Park. Shortly after, the band announced a co-headlining tour of Japan, Europe, and Australia titled The Black Crusade from October to December. Other bands on the bill included Trivium, DragonForce (Europe only), Arch Enemy and Shadows Fall. On June 12, 2007, at the Metal Hammer awards, the band won the award for "Best Album", and Flynn won the "Golden God" award. Machine Head also won "Album of the Year" at Kerrang's annual ceremony. The band replaced Bullet For My Valentine supporting Metallica's Wembley Stadium show on Sunday July 8, 2007, as Bullet For My Valentine's vocalist Matt Tuck required a tonsillectomy. Machine Head also toured North America with Hellyeah, Nonpoint and Bury Your Dead in early 2008.

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