Few bands can claim the longevity and sheer resilience that Machine Head has demonstrated over the last three decades. With UNATØNED, their 11th studio album, Robb Flynn and company prove once again that they are not only still in the game but are redefining it. Out April 25, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records, UNATØNED is a razor-sharp statement of intent—lean, relentless, and fiercely dynamic.
Written on the road during their triumphant return to the global festival circuit after an 11-year hiatus, UNATØNED carries the energy of movement—both literally and metaphorically. Recorded across multiple studios, including Robb’s Jam Room and Drop of Sun Recording, and produced by Flynn alongside Zack Ohren, the album benefits from a powerhouse mix by Colin Richardson and Chris Clancy, with mastering handled by the legendary Ted Jensen. The sonic result? A record that feels raw yet meticulously crafted, primal yet progressive.
From the opening moments of “LANDSCAPE ØF THØRNS,” it’s clear that Machine Head has stripped their formula down to its most essential elements. Flynn imposed strict parameters on the songwriting process—tracks had to stay under four minutes, feature key changes beyond traditional progressions, and ensure the final chorus differed from the first. The result is a focused 41-minute assault that never overstays its welcome.
Lead single “UNBØUND” bridges past and present, seamlessly blending the groove-laden energy of Burn My Eyes with the razor-wire precision of The Blackening. “ATØMIC REVELATIØNS” delves into the mind-bending concept of the Atomic Priesthood, delivering one of the most punishing yet thought-provoking tracks on the album. Meanwhile, “BØNESCRAPER” strips things to the core—pummeling grooves and an anthemic chorus built for festival stages.
One of the most surprising aspects of UNATØNED is its willingness to step beyond expectations. “NØT LØNG FØR THIS WØRLD” marks the band’s first all-clean vocal track, while “DUSTMAKER” veers into trip-hop territory, offering an unexpected but fitting breather amid the sonic onslaught. The album’s closer, “SCØRN,” is an emotional gut punch—a piano-driven ballad that finally realizes Flynn’s long-held ambition of delivering a Machine Head song in the vein of an Elton John classic.
Lyrically, UNATØNED is a deeply personal and introspective record. Tracks like “BLEEDING ME DRY” explore themes of loss and grief, drawing from Flynn’s own experiences, while “THESE SCARS WØN’T DEFINE US” serves as a defiant anthem for resilience. Elsewhere, “ØUTSIDER” captures the experience of cutting toxicity from one’s life, a theme that resonates with Flynn’s journey in the music industry.
Despite the maturity and emotional depth, UNATØNED never loses its bite. Machine Head has always thrived on raw intensity, and tracks like “ADDICTED TØ PAIN”—co-written with new guitarist Reece Scruggs—deliver some of the most ferocious riffs the band has penned in years.
Machine Head has never been a band content to rest on its laurels, and UNATØNED proves that reinvention is still very much in their DNA. It is their most concise and potent record to date—every track serves a purpose, every riff is sharpened to lethal precision. Eleven albums deep, they show no signs of slowing down. Instead, they are charging forward, carving their path with the same fury and fire that put them on the map in the first place.
UNATØNED is not just another chapter in Machine Head’s story; it’s a full-scale rebirth.
04.05 U.S. Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
04.07 U.S. Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
04.09 U.S. San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
04.10 U.S. Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
04.12 U.S. Las Vegas, NV @ Sick New World **
04.13 U.S. Salt Lake City, UT @ Union
04.15 U.S. Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
04.17 U.S. San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec
04.18 U.S. Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
04.19 U.S. Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
04.21 U.S. Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
04.22 U.S. Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
04.23 U.S. Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
04.25 U.S. Reading, PA @ Santander Arena
04.26 U.S. Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
04.27 CAN Montreal, QC @ M’Telus
04.28 CAN Toronto, ON @ History
04.30 U.S. Cincinnati, OH @ Andrew J. Brady Music Center
05.02 U.S. Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
05.03 U.S. Chicago, IL @ Radius
05.04 U.S. Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore
05.05 CAN Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings
05.07 CAN Calgary, AB @ Grey Eagle Event Center
05.08 CAN Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
05.10 CAN Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
**Festival date – MACHINE HEAD & LACUNA COIL only
Source: www.antiheromagazine.com
