SOME THANKS ARE IN ORDER...
By Robb Flynn
Ladies and gents, friends, fans, and foes, Robb here... our 10th album 'ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN' is finally out!
But that being said, nothing happens in a bubble. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and are remarkably fortunate to have an incredible team of people around us. I’d like to take a moment to elaborate about the unsung heroes of this album. People that played roles behind the scenes that made this all happen. In turn, it has allowed us to create what I consider to be quite possibly the best album we have ever made.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank Zack Ohren. My longtime Engineer and Producer who was absolutely essential in nearly every aspect of production, writing, arranging, processing. The dude is tireless, and his naturally even-keel really produced some magical moments in the studio. These moments are all over the album, I'm lucky to have Zack in the family.
I’d like to thank long time producer Colin Richardson. Colin has been there seemingly since day one going back to our 1994 debut 'Burn My Eyes’. He is responsible for handling the magnificently savage production you hear on ‘ØKAC'. He, alongside his engineer and all-around awesome dude Chris Clancy (the Christafarian), have crafted what may be sonically the heaviest sounding Machine Head record of all time! While you're punishing your neighbors with volume, thank these guys!
I’d like to thank Joel Wanasek, his assistant Josh Napert, and Rhys Fulber for the incredible soundscapes that they added to this album, including the story-arching interludes as well as the incredible layers they added to the songs.
I've got to give a shout out to Will Putney for his help with the overall concept. His input helped me tie it together lyrically and no question his contributions absolutely made this a better album.
I’d like to thank Monte Conner my A&R man of nearly 30 years! Monte Conner also possessor of relentless dedication, brutal honesty, and his never ending belief in both myself and Machine Head for close to three decades.
I’d like to thank Gerardo Martinez for his Herculean efforts and support in our vision at Nuclear Blast. Also for partnering with us and our label, Imperium Recordings in a way that few labels would.
I’d like to thank Seth Siro Anton, Geert Kroes and Rob Kimura for helping to create what I consider to be an absolute masterpiece of artwork. This album cover and the entire package is simply stunning and could live in a museum. Thank you for your artistic talents.
I’d like to thank Tommy Jones, the indefatigable Mike Ruiz, Markus Jacob, Mark Palmer, Lisa Cope, Emma Chadwick, Danne, Yorck, Jaap, and the whole team at Nuclear Blast Worldwide. Each of these individuals have totally gone the extra mile by working harder than any label we’ve ever worked with to get this album the attention it deserves. With Tommy Jones in particular getting the MVP award for outworking one and all.
Jerome and Tiffany at NB‘s parent company Believe, they have been absolutely critical in the digital set up of this record, and deserve massive kudos for their belief in Machine Head.
I’d like to thank Mike Sloat (a.k.a. "Mikael Sloatnikof”) and Jason ("horn-dog") Pedri as well as Rafal and Grupa 13 in Poland for crafting some of the most in-depth, visceral and exciting videos that we’ve ever produced. Special shout to Art Quest director Katherine Loomis at Santa Rosa high school for allowing to use the video production facilities so many times, and Jason's students Alexander Corl, Emily Aja, Jackson Richie, John Hey and Dylan Mooney for assisting on the ”CHØKE” video
I’d like to thank Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound for the unequivocally stunning mastering he did, not to mention his protege Justin Shturtz for the numerous revisions that were done to make this album flow the way it does.
The inimitable Travis Shinn and Paul Harries for the exquisitely grim band photos. Considering they were taken over 2 different continents they blend seamlessly together adding to the cohesiveness of the presentation.
I’d like to thank my band! Jared, Vogg, and Matt for everything that they contributed to this beast! With Vogg contributing some mind-bending riffs to "Unhallowed," and "Bloodshot," and Jared sweeping the MVP award for stepping up and delivering some absolute gold… from fantastic riffs, astounding vocal melodies, awe-inspiring harmonies, superb lyrics. What more can I say? Thank you, brothers!
I’d like to thank Navene Koperweis for the undeniably jaw-dropping drums that he laid down on this album.
I’d also like to thank Matt Alston for his patience and fortitude and understanding the difficult position we were in over the pandemic. It was rough not being able to play on the album, and I know it was personally challenging for him. However he was a part of the record in so many ways including the demos as well as his suggestions which were essential to what you hear all over this album. Everybody give it up for Matt!
My wife Genevra for inspiring me and pushing me to make a concept record in the first place. I am tremendously lucky for her eternal love, support, and sacrifice, (not to mention devastating wit) for this crazy dream of mine.
Much love to my two Kings Zander and Wyatt currently holding down the fort for their never ending ability to make me want to be a better man, and sharing with me the anime series that would eventually inspire so much of the concept of this album.
Our press Goddess Michelle Kerr, Kirstin, Charley and all at the incomparable Cosa Nostra Public Relations (UK/US)
The Communications Dept. at Imperium Recordings
Ryan at Sharkbite Studios, Oakland for allowing us to craft this masterpiece over the course of the last year plus.
Olav and Ozan for all the help with the Electric Happy Hours, which in the strangest way helped make this record what it is today. Think about it, the ability to stay productive the way we did was the biggest hidden "treasure" we could've ever stumbled upon.
The man behind the 'Machine' for 30 years, Mr. Joseph Huston. His focused energy and unflinching determination to always look out for what’s best for this band is 100% essential to why we started, why we continue, and why we're still here today!
Benny and Jeff Pinn for always making our instruments and amps run perfectly.
Last but not least... I want to thank ALL of the Head Cases around the World! All that have stood by this band, fought for this band, believed in this band, YOU motherfuckers are the soldiers in our ARMY! Thank you for the honor of allowing us to call YOU our friends, fans, and freaks!
It's 2022 Head Cases we're way stronger together.
Let's do this.
Robb and Machine Head
But that being said, nothing happens in a bubble. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and are remarkably fortunate to have an incredible team of people around us. I’d like to take a moment to elaborate about the unsung heroes of this album. People that played roles behind the scenes that made this all happen. In turn, it has allowed us to create what I consider to be quite possibly the best album we have ever made.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank Zack Ohren. My longtime Engineer and Producer who was absolutely essential in nearly every aspect of production, writing, arranging, processing. The dude is tireless, and his naturally even-keel really produced some magical moments in the studio. These moments are all over the album, I'm lucky to have Zack in the family.
I’d like to thank long time producer Colin Richardson. Colin has been there seemingly since day one going back to our 1994 debut 'Burn My Eyes’. He is responsible for handling the magnificently savage production you hear on ‘ØKAC'. He, alongside his engineer and all-around awesome dude Chris Clancy (the Christafarian), have crafted what may be sonically the heaviest sounding Machine Head record of all time! While you're punishing your neighbors with volume, thank these guys!
I’d like to thank Joel Wanasek, his assistant Josh Napert, and Rhys Fulber for the incredible soundscapes that they added to this album, including the story-arching interludes as well as the incredible layers they added to the songs.
I've got to give a shout out to Will Putney for his help with the overall concept. His input helped me tie it together lyrically and no question his contributions absolutely made this a better album.
I’d like to thank Monte Conner my A&R man of nearly 30 years! Monte Conner also possessor of relentless dedication, brutal honesty, and his never ending belief in both myself and Machine Head for close to three decades.
I’d like to thank Gerardo Martinez for his Herculean efforts and support in our vision at Nuclear Blast. Also for partnering with us and our label, Imperium Recordings in a way that few labels would.
I’d like to thank Seth Siro Anton, Geert Kroes and Rob Kimura for helping to create what I consider to be an absolute masterpiece of artwork. This album cover and the entire package is simply stunning and could live in a museum. Thank you for your artistic talents.
I’d like to thank Tommy Jones, the indefatigable Mike Ruiz, Markus Jacob, Mark Palmer, Lisa Cope, Emma Chadwick, Danne, Yorck, Jaap, and the whole team at Nuclear Blast Worldwide. Each of these individuals have totally gone the extra mile by working harder than any label we’ve ever worked with to get this album the attention it deserves. With Tommy Jones in particular getting the MVP award for outworking one and all.
Jerome and Tiffany at NB‘s parent company Believe, they have been absolutely critical in the digital set up of this record, and deserve massive kudos for their belief in Machine Head.
I’d like to thank Mike Sloat (a.k.a. "Mikael Sloatnikof”) and Jason ("horn-dog") Pedri as well as Rafal and Grupa 13 in Poland for crafting some of the most in-depth, visceral and exciting videos that we’ve ever produced. Special shout to Art Quest director Katherine Loomis at Santa Rosa high school for allowing to use the video production facilities so many times, and Jason's students Alexander Corl, Emily Aja, Jackson Richie, John Hey and Dylan Mooney for assisting on the ”CHØKE” video
I’d like to thank Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound for the unequivocally stunning mastering he did, not to mention his protege Justin Shturtz for the numerous revisions that were done to make this album flow the way it does.
The inimitable Travis Shinn and Paul Harries for the exquisitely grim band photos. Considering they were taken over 2 different continents they blend seamlessly together adding to the cohesiveness of the presentation.
I’d like to thank my band! Jared, Vogg, and Matt for everything that they contributed to this beast! With Vogg contributing some mind-bending riffs to "Unhallowed," and "Bloodshot," and Jared sweeping the MVP award for stepping up and delivering some absolute gold… from fantastic riffs, astounding vocal melodies, awe-inspiring harmonies, superb lyrics. What more can I say? Thank you, brothers!
I’d like to thank Navene Koperweis for the undeniably jaw-dropping drums that he laid down on this album.
I’d also like to thank Matt Alston for his patience and fortitude and understanding the difficult position we were in over the pandemic. It was rough not being able to play on the album, and I know it was personally challenging for him. However he was a part of the record in so many ways including the demos as well as his suggestions which were essential to what you hear all over this album. Everybody give it up for Matt!
My wife Genevra for inspiring me and pushing me to make a concept record in the first place. I am tremendously lucky for her eternal love, support, and sacrifice, (not to mention devastating wit) for this crazy dream of mine.
Much love to my two Kings Zander and Wyatt currently holding down the fort for their never ending ability to make me want to be a better man, and sharing with me the anime series that would eventually inspire so much of the concept of this album.
Our press Goddess Michelle Kerr, Kirstin, Charley and all at the incomparable Cosa Nostra Public Relations (UK/US)
The Communications Dept. at Imperium Recordings
Ryan at Sharkbite Studios, Oakland for allowing us to craft this masterpiece over the course of the last year plus.
Olav and Ozan for all the help with the Electric Happy Hours, which in the strangest way helped make this record what it is today. Think about it, the ability to stay productive the way we did was the biggest hidden "treasure" we could've ever stumbled upon.
The man behind the 'Machine' for 30 years, Mr. Joseph Huston. His focused energy and unflinching determination to always look out for what’s best for this band is 100% essential to why we started, why we continue, and why we're still here today!
Benny and Jeff Pinn for always making our instruments and amps run perfectly.
Last but not least... I want to thank ALL of the Head Cases around the World! All that have stood by this band, fought for this band, believed in this band, YOU motherfuckers are the soldiers in our ARMY! Thank you for the honor of allowing us to call YOU our friends, fans, and freaks!
It's 2022 Head Cases we're way stronger together.
Let's do this.
Robb and Machine Head