2018 was an interesting year for Machine Head. The band released their divisive new record Catharsis, and shortly thereafter both longtime guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain quit the band.
Demmel has since taken the time to explain his feelings about how Machine Head turned into frontman and guitarist Robb Flynn's project, and distanced himself from Catharsis. Demmel is currently doing a few reunion shows with Vio-Lence, while McClain rejoined his old band Sacred Reich.
Machine Head, currently Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern, recently teased they were in the studio recording "new heaviness." Which was a little confusing considering they're down two members and nobody has been announced as replacements. Over this weekend, Machine Head revealed via an Instagram live stream that they're currently auditioning new members, and that "you might not know some of these guys, some of you may."
No prospective members have yet been identified. It may be worth guessing that drummer Chris Kontos and original guitarist Logan Mader could rejoin the band, as they're headed out on the road with Machine Head this year to play the band's debut record Burn My Eyes in full. Kontos drummed for the band between 1994 and 1995, and Mader was their guitarist between 1991 and 1998.
