In a shocking Facebook Live video, Robb Flynn has announced that Machine Head is going on hiatus at the end of the next tour. Earlier in the week two of the other members, Phil Demmel and Dave McClain officially quit the band, intending the next US tour, “The Freaks And Zeros Tour”, to be their last. Flynn has decided to end the band rather than continue. The band will take a least a hiatus from the sound of it, as Flynn sounded unsure if the band will replace them, or not from the video. Bassist Jared MacEachern also had contemplated quitting but sounds as if he will remain if the band continues. See the video and some of Flyyn’s quotes below. The band are currently supporting the divisive Catharsis album, which released earlier in 2018 from Nuclear Blast.

As for why Phil and Dave left after 15 and 23 years in the band respectively Robb Flynn commented:

“We have grown apart as people. Musically, we’ve grown apart. I have held on too tight to the reins of this band, and I have suffocated those guys.

“I’ve got some rough edges. I’m kind a barnacle. And those rough edges have given us the success we have, but they’ve also hurt the people around me.

“I’ve got a lot of drive, but I’ve got a lot of anger and rage. And that drive of mine has alienated folks in the band.”

“I ask that you respect Phil and Dave’s decision, as I respect their decision. I wanna say that I’m honored and grateful for everything that they’ve contributed to Machine Head, which is a lot. 15 years with Phil, 23 years with Dave.”

“I don’t know what the future holds.We’re all a little scared. I’m scared, and they’re scared. But if you’re looking for a drummer or a guitar player, you can find no better people to have [than Dave and Phil].”

“I plan to do a little bit of soul searching here in my life and take a long, hard look at myself, as I’ve done in the past. I’ve done 20 years of therapy at this point, and apparently it wasn’t enough,” he laughed. “I guess I need to do about 20 more.”

“…The tour will be a celebration of this era of music and this lineup. And that may be the best era of Machine Head ever, and may be the best lineup ever, and may be the best lineup that this band ever has. And we’re gonna end it on a positive note, and we’re gonna end it on a classy note.”

“It’s the end of an area. I did a lot of crying yesterday and kind of felt like I got ran over by a truck.”