In their 34-year career, members of the band Machine Head have earned a reputation for producing some of the fiercest music ever recorded. After 11 studio albums and two live albums, there are hordes of Head Cases (as their hard core fans are known) around the world. In 2025, Machine Head released “UNATØNED,” which continues their campaign of all-out metal glory.
At 41 minutes in length, “UNATØNED” arrives like a relentless and aggressive storm of ungodly proportions. It’s densely packed with everything that is right about this band: brutal vocal tempests, searing guitar riffs, thundering drums, and bone rattling bass lines. Prepare your neck for the lightning fast “These Scars Won’t Define Us,” as you’ll be thrashing about. Epic anthems like “Atomic Revelations” will have you chanting along at maximum volume.
The accompanying tour brings their brutal brand of metal across the US and Canada. On April 10th, they made a stop at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The air was electric and thick with anticipation through the supporting acts (Unearth, Lacuna Coil, and In Flames). Finally, the house lights dim and herald the arrival of the headliner.
Robb Flynn (lead vocals, guitar) storms the stage as the opening song, “Imperium,” begins to take shape. The rest of the band (Reese Scruggs (guitar, backing vocals), Jared MacEachern (bass, backing vocals), and Matt Alson (drums)) power up like a nuclear reactor and then the onslaught begins. Bodies thrash and collide in a swirling pit of human chaos as fans revel in the music. Every single note of each song is driven home with megaton force. The set ends with “Davidian” with the lyric “Let freedom ring with a shotgun blast” echoing through the entire venue as the crowd chants along.
After the devastation from that show, there was another Machine Head event the following evening. This time, the Affliction Sound Stage in Seal Beach, California was opened to 200 lucky fans for an intimate evening of tacos and metal. Supporting Headbang for Science (a foundation dedicated to helping students majoring in medicine/science who are die hard metal heads), Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin hosted and celebrated his birthday for this damn good cause. This jam session lasted three hours and spanned 24 songs. Of course, it featured music from the new record, but also had plenty of tasty deep cuts and even a few jaw-dropping cover songs. The effortless flow of Machine Head on stage is the direct result of talent, planning, and a splash or two of whiskey (among other things). It was an unforgettable evening. (I’d be remiss in not calling out Gizmo the Metal Dog for being the coolest pet ever).
Uncompromising and Direct
Prior to the tour kicking off, Robb Flynn spent some time with Whiskey Network to talk about music and whiskey. Robb is exactly what you’d expect in the conversation: uncompromising and direct. Machine Head didn’t get to be one of the biggest bands in the world by accident, it’s a labor of love featuring him as the unyielding reactor at the heart of it all. One thing that is easy to notice is Robb’s ability to sense and draw on the energy in any room. He will engage what’s around him and then deliver it back with exponentially greater intensity. It’s truly a sight to watch him work a crowd into a peak frenzy.
We immediately delve into his earliest memories of whiskey. He recalls growing up in a poor part of Fremont, California where there was a local liquor store known for dealing in low-cost spirits. One of his friends had an older brother that they talked into scoring a bottom shelf bottle of whiskey. He says, “The first thing I thought is ‘Oh my God this is horrible’. Then, we ended up blasting Metallica and throwing up all night. It was a generic brand, just a clear bottle with a label that simple said Whiskey.”
Where the Best Stories Begin
As Machine Head began to take off, fate led Robb to cross paths with Pantera and Dimebag Darrell. Of course, all whiskey related roads in rock/metal eventually lead to Dimebag (Rest in Peace), and this is where the best stories begin. Robb recalls, “We did two tours with Pantera over the course of three months, and it was hands-down the most whiskey I’ve ever drank. That boy could rage, and we hit it off like a house on fire. He started in with the Crown (Royal) and Coke shots and I started to understand why people liked whiskey. This was different than the plain label whiskey, it had character and a bit of complexity. It changed my view of whiskey from then on.”
Whiskey and metal are always a magical combination for the greatest adventures and stories to go with them. Robb recalls an epic misadventure with Dimebag worth memorializing. Machine Head and Pantera were playing in a small venue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and instead of getting a hotel room in Detroit (the next stop), they’d sleep on the tour buses behind the venue and drive over in the morning. This turned into a huge afterparty with Dimebag drinking Blacktooth Grins with fans and firing off illegal fireworks all night long. Robb eventually left to catch some sleep. In the morning, he found Dimebag still partying out back, “He’s stripped down to his tighty whities and Chuck Taylors on top of a Volkswagen bug doing back plants on the roof.”
Even though Dimebag stayed up all night and paid the price, he got up in front of the crowd at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan for the next show and nailed the songs note-for-note.
On top of that, Dimebag smashed Robb’s guitar in a wild haze. Though he was furious in the moment, Robb was able to gather himself and have a great gig. Afterwards, Robb (rightfully) gave Dimebag an earful over that. A few nights later in Chicago, Dimebag presented Robb with one of his Washburn Signature guitars. On stage, Dimebag told the audience, “I blew my buddy Robb’s guitar up and I’m here to give him another one.”
Robb thinks back, “It was a cool moment, and I still have the guitar.” These are the best kinds of stories and priceless memories.
Shotgun Blast Whiskey
Fast forward to the present, Robb has refined his palate over time. He enjoys other spirits like vodka or cognac, but has also developed a taste for wheated bourbon. He recounts going to a Pearl Jam show where a mutual friend had a bottle of Weller in the parking lot before the show. That was a bullseye for his tastes. He says, “I like to have a bite to whiskey, but also have that smooth characteristic at the end. I only like a little bit of sweetness, and like caramel – almost salted or savory.”
At this point, the conversation takes a turn and Robb says, “I have something to show you…” and produces a big box. On the front of the box is an ornate logo and the name “Shotgun Blast Whiskey.” He opens the box to reveal its contents… Encased within are two 500 ml decanters shaped like sawed off shotguns, and two shot glasses made like shotgun shells. Bathed in LED lights, an ornate Machine Head logo graces the inside of the lid. In bold letters it says, “Let Freedom Ring with a Shotgun Blast.” This presentation is jaw-droppingly tantalizing, and a conversation piece that is unique in its presentation.
Clearly, this is not just a partnership in name only. There was a tremendous amount of care and forethought that went into this project. Robb was on a flight to Florida and struck up a conversation with the person in the seat next to him. It turned out to be someone connected with UblendIt Spirits, a California company that builds high value alcohol brands. That conversation set things in motion. Robb says, “I figured that I was going to get off this plane and never hear from this guy ever again. But this guy hits me back and introduces me to John Spagnola and the partners of the distillery. Next thing you know, I’m at their place in Santa Cruz, California, and we hit it off.”
Robb does not consider himself a celebrity, but they all knew that there would be an attempt to pigeonhole this product as a celebrity whiskey. That’s when they knew it needed to be a premium spirit in a worthy presentation. He tasted many varieties that included young and spicy, smooth high-age whiskey, and everything in between. Eventually, they found a blend of 11- and 3.8-year-old bourbon hit the palate just right. He recalls, “The young stuff had a pretty wicked bite, and the 11-year-old was missing something. We made a few blends and found the sweet spot.” The mashbill is listed as 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley.
Then, it came down to representing Machine Head appropriately. Robb continues, “We didn’t want to stick our name on a generic bottle. We wanted people to feel that they are a part of Machine Head: what the band represents and the culture of it as well.”
Reflecting on the history and reputation of the band, Robb continues, “It’s been quite a journey, and I never saw us doing this, but I’m stoked and excited. Machine Head has always been known as a drinking band and our shows are like a big party. We’re always encouraging our audience to have a drink and tip the bartenders. We just wanted to put something out there that is next level.”
Full on double barrel blast!
Turning to Music: “You’re a Vessel”
Finally, our conversation turns to music. When asked about his writing process he responds, “You can always say that you want the music to be like this or that. Rarely does it ever go that way. Like Keith Richards says, ‘You’re a vessel.’ You take in stuff and put out stuff. It’s important to stay in tune with yourself but understand that you aren’t always in control. It’s just whatever comes out is how it goes.”
As Robb has matured in his craft, he’s made some adjustments. He confesses to being a night owl and spends time in the middle of the night writing lyrics. He sets a thirty-minute timer on his phone and tunes out all distractions. He adds, “I don’t judge it. I just try and write, rhyme, and connect as much as I can in that time. Most of it doesn’t work, but once in a while you get gold. Staying consistent is what helps me finish it.”
Across the full span of their celebrated career, Machine Head has produced some genre defining records that are immortal. Often, there’s a tremendous amount of pressure to duplicate the success of the last record. Robb understands that is tension could have limited his ability to grow creatively. Never one to settle, he has made a career of going against the grain. If every song on the previous record was 7 or 8 minutes long, he’ll challenge himself to keep the next one with songs only under 4 minutes. It could also be reworking the key changes, chord progressions, or other structures that shape the music. The secret to his success is that he’s true to that uncompromising and direct attitude, but he’s willing to let the universe communicate its message through him.
The Mashbill: Whiskey Network Wants to Know Your Recipe
Our journey with Robb Flynn of Machine Head has ended, but we’ve got The Mashbill. Whiskey Network asks the same questions to each of our guests to gain a common understanding from whiskey enthusiasts.
What was the last whiskey, bourbon, or scotch in your glass?
“Shotgun Blast Whiskey.”
Do you prefer to drink your whiskey from a specific type of glass?
“My sister gave me a cool glass, it’s black and has a skull on it. It is the right size and looks cool.”
Do you have a unicorn bottle?
“I’ve been trying to get my hands on Blanton’s at my local store. Every time I try to order the bottle, it doesn’t come in. I keep asking the whiskey expert there and it just hasn’t come together. It’s a hard bottle to get my hands on, but I’m being patient.”
This is a hypothetical question: I’m looking for a gift for a friend and the budget is $50-$75. What would you suggest?
“If you can find Weller green label at around that price range, that’s a great choice. However, I know it’s very hard to find that.”
What is your favorite toast?
“I learned from the band Meshuggah to say “Skål” and use that when it’s appropriate. But my bass player has a thing where he says, “Ch- ch- ch- cheeeeers!” and that’s become our ritual when we’re drinking on the bus”.
Welcome to the Whiskey Network Family
We are proud to welcome Robb Flynn to the Whiskey Network Family. He’s a talented whiskey enthusiast who is authentic and bombastic. Shotgun Blast Whiskey is one of the most uniquely branded whiskey packages on the market. For fans of the band, and especially those who love whiskey, this is something that you cannot miss out on.
There will be a review of the whiskey coming soon!
For now, be sure to enjoy “UNATØNED”, and catch the band on their upcoming tour dates.
Whiskey Network extends appreciation to Machine Head, Nuclear Blast Records, and Shotgun Blast Whiskey.
