In a surprising development from the Machine Head camp, three-quarters of the original Burn My Eyes era lineup of the band will reunite for a new headline tour. Founder and mainstay Robb Flynn will join with Logan Mader and Chris Kontos to perform all of Burn My Eyes in its entirety next fall. The shows will consist of the “An Evening With…” a first set with the current lineup of Machine Head performs their more recent hits and other songs, followed by a second full BME set. Current Machine Head bassist Jared MacEachern will perform both sets. Machine Head are auditioning guitarists and drummers to fill out their present lineup. The dates kick off in Germany on October 5 in Freiburg, and continue across Europe, wrapping in Dublin, Ireland on November 8. The U.S. leg will be announced in due course; those dates are set for November into December as the tour makes its way around the globe. You can watch the trailer for the tour below.
Robb Flynn commented:
“Having started rehearsals with Chris and Logan several weeks ago, I’m literally giddy with excitement at the prospect of how much fun this is going to be. Both Logan and Chris are in phenomenal playing shape, the vibe between all four of us has been incredibly positive.”
Flynn continues: “Having run through deep cuts like ‘Death Church’ and ‘I’m Your God Now’ for the first time in well over a decade, has reminded me of how fucking heavy our older songs are! This tour is going to be MASSIVE!! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect to share this milestone with the Head Cases! So just a head’s up, DO NOT sleep on this! Tell your friends, spread the word, because tickets are going to disappear!”
Mader adds: “It’s a huge honor for me to take part in celebrating ‘Burn My Eyes’ 25th birthday! It’s hard to believe this is actually happening. I feel like I won the guitar player lottery…. again! The fact that ‘Burn My Eyes’ is still relevant today has a lot to do with the fact that Robb has kept the band alive and strong for two and a half decades. I’m very grateful for this!”
Kontos echoes the sentiment, stating: “This is an absolute mind-blower! Playing these songs again after 23 years feels just amazing. The fact that it’s 25 years later and the ‘Burn My Eyes’ record is still relevant and revered is humbling to say the least. Doing a huge world tour in celebration of the record is a great way to acknowledge the legacy of MACHINE HEAD’s past and future. I’m so looking forward to sharing these songs with the MACHINE HEAD fans around the world. Can’t wait to meet all you ‘Head Cases’ out there! You can be sure it is going to be a crushing night! See ya soon!”
MacEachearn is equally looking forward to the run, saying: “It’s not every day that you get to pay tribute to a classic like ‘Burn My Eyes’ and with Logan and Chris in the mix, I’m really excited to bring something special to old and new fans alike.”
Tickets go on general sale at 10 a.m. local time on Friday, March 29, with pre-sale going live at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 28.
European tour dates:
Oct. 05 – Germany, Freiburg Sick Arena Musikclub
Oct. 07 – Holland, Tilburg 013
Oct. 09 – Denmark, Copenhagen Amager Bio
Oct. 11 – Germany, Wuerzburg Posthalle
Oct. 12 – Germany, Leipzig Haus Auensee
Oct. 14 – Germany, Bochum Ruhr Congress
Oct. 15 – Germany, Munich Zenith
Oct. 16 – Austria, Vienna Gasometer
Oct. 18 – Poland, Gdansk B90
Oct. 19 – Poland, Warsaw Progressja
Oct. 20 – Hungary, Budapest Baba Negra
Oct. 22 – Switzerland, Zurich Komplex
Oct. 23 – France, Lyon Le Radiant
Oct. 25 – Italy, Milan Live Club
Oct. 26 – Italy, Padova Hall
Oct. 27 – Luxembourg, Lux Expo
Oct. 29 – France, Paris Le Trianon
Oct. 31 – Belgium, Brussels Forest National
Nov. 02 – UK, London O2 Academy Brixton
Nov. 04 – UK, Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Nov. 05 – UK, Glasgow O2 Academy
Nov. 07 – UK, Belfast Telegraph Building
Nov. 08 – Ireland, Dublin Olympia Theatre