Machine Head Share New Tracks Bulletproof And Stop The Bleeding Featuring Jesse Leach
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Written by Stereoboard
Machine Head have released a new single, Civil Unrest.
On the a-side is Stop The Bleeding featuring Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage and the b-side is Bulletproof. Both are unrelenting metal tracks featuring lyrics written in the days following the deaths of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old black man from Brunswick, Georgia.
The former died during an arrest by the Minneapolis police and the latter was fatally shot by a father-son pair of civilians while jogging near his hometown.
A portion of the streaming proceeds from Stop The Bleeding will go to the Grassroots Law Project, the organisation representing Floyd, Arbery and Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department during the execution of a no-knock search warrant.
Vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn said:
"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."
Discussing collaborating with Leach, he continued:
“I had been speaking with Jesse for maybe 6 months about singing on the song, as it always had a little bit of a Killswitch vibe to me. Unfortunately (or fortunately), our schedules hadn’t lined up, but with the subsequent lockdown from coronavirus, we had time to make it work. After what happened to George Floyd, I sent him the lyrics I’d written and he replied saying he was “100% on board”. Jesse is someone I consider to be a pioneer and in many ways, one of the men who changed the face of metal. His contribution to this song made it extremely powerful and it’s an honor to have him be a part of it.”
Leach added:
“Being asked to be part of this song is an honor. Yes, because it’s Machine Head, but more importantly, this is a message that needs to be heard and spread. These issues concerning abuses of power and racism are timeless. I have written about these previously and I’ll write about them again. I think Robb really nailed this one, both lyrically and sonically. My hope is this song helps awaken those who hear it. Robb has been a frequent voice of the voiceless in these times, so teaming up with him is a no brainer. We need more of our Metal Community to speak out on social issues and help raise awareness, especially during these crucial times. Music is the soundtrack to our lives, it transcends language and culture. This is the reason we as musicians need to do our part to spark thought and discussion on these types of issues. We can make a difference through music and we can help stop the bleeding.”
Machine Head have rescheduled their UK and European tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of 'Burn My Eyes' to autumn 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Head below for further details.
Their last album, meanwhile, was 2018's 'Catharsis'.
Machine Head Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Thu October 08 2020 - PAMPLONA Sala Totem (Spain)
Sat October 10 2020 - VALENCIA Republicca (Spain)
Mon October 12 2020 - MADRID La Riviera (Spain)
Tue October 13 2020 - LISBON Coliseu de Lisboa (Portugal)
Wed October 14 2020 - OPORTO Coliseu de Porto (Portugal)
Fri October 16 2020 - MURCIA Gamma (Spain)
Sat October 17 2020 - MÁLAGA Paris 15 (Spain)
Sun October 18 2020 - BARCELONA Razzmatazz (Spain)
Tue October 20 2020 - TOULOUSE Le Bikini (France)
Wed October 21 2020 - PRATTELN Konzertfabrik Z7 (Switzerland)
Fri October 23 2020 - HANNOVER Swiss Life Hall (Germany)
Sat October 24 2020 - WIESBADEN Schlachthof (Germany)
Mon October 26 2020 - LUDWIGSBURG MHP Arena (Germany)
Tue October 27 2020 - HAMBURG Grosse Freiheit 36 (Germany)
Wed October 28 2020 - PRAGUE Forum Karlin (Czech Republic)
Thu October 29 2020 - BRATISLAVA Refinery Gallery (Slovakia)
Sat October 31 2020 - BUCHAREST Quantic Club (Romania)
Sun November 01 2020 - SOFIA Universiada Hall (Bulgaria)
Mon November 02 2020 - ATHENS Piraeus Academy (Greece)
Tue November 03 2020 - THESSALONIKI Fix Factory Of Sound (Greece)
Fri November 06 2020 - KIEV Stereoplaza (Ukraine)
Mon November 09 2020 - MOSCOW 1930 Moscow (Russia)
Wed November 11 2020 - HELSINKI Circus (Finland)
Fri November 13 2020 - STOCKHOLM Fryhuset Arenan (Sweden)
Sat November 14 2020 - GOTHENBURG Pustervik (Sweden)
Sun November 15 2020 - OSLO Sentrum Scene (Norway)
Mon November 16 2020 - AARHUS Train (Denmark)
Sat November 21 2020 - NIJMEGEN Doornroosje (Netherlands) Sun November 22 2020 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Mon November 23 2020 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
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