Oakland's brutal Metal act MACHINE HEAD was founded by ex-VIO-LENCE man Robb Flynn in 1992. Previous to VIO-LENCE, Flynn had a lengthy spell with FORBIDDEN, although this was when the band was known pre-debut album as FORBIDDEN EVIL. Relative latecomers in the Thrash explosion, Bay Area's VIO-LENCE nevertheless managed to scramble onto a major deal offered by MCA Mechanic during 1988, original guitarist Troy Fua having been supersed by Rob Flynn. In this incarnation the group put out the album's 'Eternal Nightmare' in 1988 and 'Oppressing The Masses' during 1990. Following issue of the now scarce 'Torture Tactics' EP, Flynn exited and VIO-LENCE only managed one further album without him before crumbling.

Flynn was keen to set about forging an all new band unit, pulling in guitarist Logan Mader and bass player Adam Duce. Drummer Chris Kontos was ex-ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT and also then an active member of GRINCH and VERBAL ABUSE. However, an early incarnation of the band featured former POSSESSED drummer Walter Ryan. Considerably ratcheting up the aggression of Flynn's antecedent works, the very first MACHINE HEAD song to be worked up would be the frightening 'Death Church'.

Soon snagging a deal with Roadrunner Records the band debuted live with an American tour opening for NAPALM DEATH and OBITUARY. The opening MACHINE HEAD album, August 1994's 'Burn My Eyes', recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkley, California with producer Colin Richardson, made an immediate international impact due to its then revolutionary blend of trad Thrash, groove-oriented Hardcore and modern breakdown persuasions. Embroiled in controversy from the outset, the infamous lyric to 'Davidian', Flynn hollering "Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast!", soon had the track removed from radio airplay. Impressively, the debut muscled its way onto the UK charts at number 25, this first success signalling the start of steadfast appreciation in this territory.

Following the release of 'Burn My Eyes' MACHINE HEAD toured North America as part of the 'Divine Intourvention' roadshow alongside BIOHAZARD and headliners SLAYER. Gigs in August saw the band packaged with OBITUARY and NAPALM DEATH. The band continued with SLAYER as guests to their November 1994 British tour re-releasing 'Burn My Eyes' in digipack format with a bonus track, a cover of POISON IDEA's 'Alan's On Fire'. UK headline dates throughout May of 1995 saw Swedes MARY BEATS JANE as support. The group put in a high profile appearance at the 1995 'Monsters Of Rock' Castle Donington festival.

Rob Flynn engaged with METALLICA's Jason Newsted, SEPULTURA's Andreas Kisser and EXODUS man Tom Hunting on their oddball Metal venture SEXOTURICA, performing live but not featuring on the resulting album. This same illustrious quartet also worked up another one off project billed QUARTETO DA PINGA, recording at Newsted's Chophouse Studios in August 1995.

Chris Kontos joined Danes KONKHRA in 1996 and was replaced by Dave McClain, a veteran of MURDERCAR, CATALEPSY, SAN ANTONIO SLAYER and SACRED REICH. However, McClain's induction was not initially a smooth process as initially the drummer, then a member of SACRED REICH, turned the position down. MACHINE HEAD duly auditioned such figures as Tommy Buckley from SOILENT GREEN and future DOWNSET and BLOODSIMPLE drummer Chris Hamilton. Discussions were also held with future ILL NINO drummer Dave Chavarri and OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Deen Castronovo. MACHINE HEAD re-drafted Walter Ryan to fill in on European and Australian gigs whilst Will Carroll deputised in the USA. Dave McClain finally joined in December 1995.

Second album 'The More Things Change...', again produced by Colin Richardson, witnessed a break away from the band's Thrash roots. A limited edition digipack offered three extra cuts, 'My Misery', a take on DISCHARGE's 'The Possibility Of Life's Destruction' and 'Colors', originally by ICE T. The album, breaking into the US Billboard charts at number 138 and making it to number 16 in the UK, emerged in March 1997 and MACHINE HEAD toured Britain in April supported by veteran Grindcore merchants NAPALM DEATH and newcomers SKINLAB. Further dates had the band guesting for PANTERA in Europe and MEGADETH in America. Nevertheless, Flynn found time to add guest vocals to New York Straight Edge merchant's EARTH CRISIS 'Breed The Killers' album.

The band's line-up troubles would be far from over though, as early 1998 witnessed the bitter departure of Mader to SOULFLY (and later PALE DEMONS / MEDICATION). His replacement was Ahrue Lister, a young veteran of such acts as MAN MADE GOD, HORDE OF TORMENT and PESTILENCE. As the group anticipated the recording of a third album, The Burning Red', Flynn revealed that a song tentatively penciled in for inclusion on the new album, 'Devil With The King's Card' was written about "a certain person who recently left the band". 'The Burning Red', somewhat obliquely sporting a rendition of THE POLICE hit 'Message In A Bottle', was crafted at Indigo Ranch in Malibu, California, this time seeing Ross Robinson behind the desk. Again a limited edition added extra tracks, sporting 'Alcoholocaust' and MACHINE HEAD's interpretation of BAD BRAINS' 'House Of Suffering'. The band's strengthening reputation put the record onto the US chart listings at number 88 and again notching up a higher credit in the UK at number 13.

Rumours surfaced in late 2000 that drummer Dave McClain had jumped ship to join SYSTEMATIC although this proved to be unfounded and MACHINE HEAD duly reared up once more in late summer of 2001 touting a new album 'Supercharger'. This set veered into a less refined "Mallcore" direction, evidenced by a input of rap vocals, that was unappreciated by the faithful and unfortunately a slump in support witnessed lowly chart recognition at 34 in the UK and 115 in the USA. Naturally Roadrunner published an expanded 'Supercharger', bolstered with extra songs in BLACK SABBATH cover 'Hole In The Sky', outtake 'Ten Fold' and live recordings of 'The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears' and 'Desire To Fire'.

The proposed accompanying single 'Crashing Around You' would include live versions of 'Silver' and 'Ten Ton Hammer' recorded in Sweden and produced by CANDLEMASS bassist Leif Edling. However, in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, 'Crashing Around You's release, video and marketing campaign was cancelled for the American market and substituted by 'Deafening Silence'.

MACHINE HEAD put in a 'secret' San Francisco gig billed as TEN TON HAMMER in November. Bizarrely the group dressed up in MÖTLEY CRÜE stage gear and even performed 'Shout At The Devil' and 'Live Wire'!

In early 2002 a Californian court ruled that the band had the full rights to use the title 'MACHINE HEAD'. The group had faced legal action from a US sound design company, Dewey Global Holding, Inc., who claimed rights to the title dating back to 1991.

MACHINE HEAD announced a clutch of headline European festival dates for the summer of 2002 including the Finnish 'Tuska Metal' and 'Ilosaari' events, Germany's 'Full Force' and Belgium's 'Graspop'. These gigs would be scheduled to promote the band's first live album 'Hellalive', recorded in the main at London's Brixton Academy on December 8th 2001. However, as the band confirmed a further TEN TON HAMMER gig in the UK it would also be revealed that guitarist Ahrue Luster had left the fold. The erstwhile six-stringer soon revealed plans for a new band billed as SUPERNAUT in union with members of Sacramento's JUGGERNAUT, vocalist Patrick Schmidt, bassist Rob Marshall, and drummer Marty Bechtel. Robb Flynn's erstwhile VIO-LENCE colleague Phil Demmel duly plugged the gap. The incestuous relationship between MACHINE HEAD and VIO-LENCE was cemented further at the 'Milwaukee Metalfest' event when MACHINE HEAD bassist Adam Duce filled in for a honeymooning Deen Dell during VIO-LENCE's five-song set.

Soon Luster had unveiled plans for a fresh band project reportedly in union with current COAL CHAMBER bassist Nadja Peulen and ex-GODSMACK drummer Tommy Stewart. However, by June of 2003 the former guitarist was announced as having joined ILL NINO. Robert Flynn was reportedly approached to audition for the position of vocalist with DROWNING POOL left vacant by the death of Dave Williams. An offer he declined.

MACHINE HEAD undertook a novel experiment in early 2003, asking forum members on the band's official website to vote for cover songs they would like the band to record. After voting had whittled the tracks down to METALLICA's 'Battery', FAITH NO MORE's 'Jizzlobber' and 'Toxic Waltz' by EXODUS these were duly recorded as internet sound files. Meantime, recording of a brand new studio album, produced by Robb Flynn and Andy Sneap billed as 'Through The Ashes Of Empires', commenced in summer for October release. It would emerge that a limited run of two disc versions of the album added a collection of demo tracks and video footage.

The new record would see release through Roadrunner Records in Europe but the band severed ties with the company for North America. November European gigs saw British act KILL II THIS as support. Despite 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' being slammed in certain sectors of the UK Rock press, the album gave MACHINE HEAD a new lease of life in mainland Europe. Germany in particular proved a strong market as the album, entering the national Media Control charts at number 24, giving the band their biggest selling outing to date. MACHINE HEAD's Summer 2004 live schedule included a number of major European festival performances including both Scottish and English 'Download' events and Germany's 'Rock Am Ring'.

MACHINE HEAD re-signed to Roadrunner Record in North America to issue 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' in April of 2004, the record selling over 11,000 copies in its first week of sale to land at number 88 on the Billboard charts. The initial pressing came loaded with bonus tracks with demos, studio video and an exclusive song 'Seasons Wither'. The band set out on an extensive US Spring tour allied at first with ARCH ENEMY, GOD FORBID and 36 CRAZYFISTS. However, ARCH ENEMY pulled out after just performing one date and both GOD FORBID and 36 CRAZYFISTS vocalists were afflicted by vocal problems, thought to be strep. In early May it was Flynn's turn, a strained throat forcing the cancellation for MACHINE HEAD's Columbus, Ohio performance.

MACHINE HEAD forged an alliance with CHIMAIRA and TRIVIUM for the August 'RoadRage 2004' dates in North America. The August 8th Philadelphia Theatre of the Living Arts show would prove noteworthy as the band celebrated the tenth anniversary of their groundbreaking 'Burn My Eyes' album by performing the record in its entirety. Also performed that evening would be covers of METALLICA's 'Creeping Death', PANTERA's 'Walk', SEPULTURA's 'Roots Bloody Roots' and MÖTLEY CRÜE's 'Live Wire'. CHIMAIRA's Mark Hunter guested on vocals. Further dates saw a batch of Australian gigs in early October, followed by an extensive run of European, UK and Scandinavian shows partnered with CALIBAN and GOD FORBID. Unfortunately, an Italian show in Rome would be cancelled after their tour bus broke down on their way through Swiss Alps. For the British dates a single, 'Days Turn Blue To Gray', was launched to coincide. Once again MACHINE HEAD performed the entire 'Burn My Eyes' album on November 26th at the Academy in Manchester, this show, as well as a London Brixton Academy performance, being filmed for future DVD release.

A notable stop on MACHINE HEAD's 2005 tour schedule came on 25th March when the band, alongside THE DARKNESS and SEPULTURA, performed in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first such occasion for a Western Metal band in the Gulf. Support came from local bands NERVECELL and JULIANA DOWN. US gigs in May saw a burst of shows allied with LAMB OF GOD then headliners with support from DEVILDRIVER, THE HAUNTED and IT DIES TODAY. The band would be forced to cancel gigs in Winston-Salem and Charlotte with Rob Flynn suffering from a "severe viral throat infection".

Robert Flynn would act as one of five high profile writers contributing to the ROADRUNNER UNITED 25th anniversary album 'The All-Stars Sessions', featuring with the tracks 'The Dagger' with vocals from Howard Jones of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and 'The Rich Man' with vocals from Corey Taylor of SLIPKNOT. On 15th December Flynn and Adam Duce notably joined the ROADRUNNER UNITED conglomerate at the New York Nokia Theater for an all star Metal evening.

The band played their part in honouring METALLICA, contributing their rendition of 'Battery' to the album 'Remastered', this set being a complete remake of 'Master Of Puppets' in joint celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the classic album's release and the 25th anniversary of UK Rock magazine Kerrang! in April 2006. That August MACHINE HEAD, entering Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, revealed 'The Blackening' as their new album title.

In mid 2006 the world of Thrash Metal received a pleasant surprise with the announcement of a new San Francisco based collective project billed DUBLIN DEATH PATROL. (Dublin is a San Francisco suburb). This unit was assembled by a seasoned cast of veterans, featuring MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel, comprising TESTAMENT and RAMPAGE singer Chuck Billy, former EXODUS and LEGACY vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza, bassist Willy Langenhuizen, of RAMPAGE and LÄÄZ ROCKIT repute, guitarist Andy Billy of SACRED DOG, RAMPAGE and GUILT, RAMPAGE guitarist Greg Bustamante, OUT OF CONTROL guitarist Steve Robello, bassist John Souza and drummer Danny Cunningham.

Roadrunner Records re-issued MACHINE HEAD's classic 1994 debut album, 'Burn My Eyes' in January 2007, this edition adding an extra disc of previously unreleased tracks and rarities. The band packaged up with LAMB OF GOD, TRIVIUM and GOJIRA for a lengthy run of North American dates commencing on February 16th 2007 at the Palladium Ballroom in Dallas, Texas.

In March MACHINE streamed 'The Blackening' in its entireity on its Myspace page. The album then debuted on the official UK charts at number 16. 'The Blackening' sold just under 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at 54 on The Billboard chart, marking MACHINE HEAD's highest Billboard chart number ever. The group opened up April and May US concerts for MEGADETH and HEAVEN AND HELL.

The band hit the US touring circuit again kicking off on 9th July 2008 at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington as part of the 'Rockstar Energy Mayhem' tour billed alongside DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT, UNDEROATH, WALLS OF JERICHO, DRAGONFORCE, SUICIDE SILENCE, THE RED CHORD, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, 36 CRAZYFISTS, AIRBOURNE, BLACK TIDE and MASTODON through into late August.

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield joined MACHINE HEAD on stage on Saturday, 16th May 2009 at KoPi-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany to perform the song 'Aethetics Of Hate'.

MACHINE HEAD were announced on the billing of the 2nd August METALLICA headlined 'Sonisphere' festival at Knebworth in the UK. However, on 7th July the band revealed that they were pulling out of the event because the promoter "placed, unbeknownst to us, LIMP BIZKIT in our third slot on the festival." As it transpired, they eventually returned to the bill as the top-secret "special guests" and performed right before LIMP BIZKIT.

The band played the SAXON, UFO, MOTÖRHEAD and HEAVEN AND HELL headlined August 2009 'Wacken Open Air' festival in Germany.

Garry Sharpe-Young