Machine Head have started auditions for new members

By Scott Munro
( Metal Hammer )
published

Following the departures of Phil Demmel and Dave McClain last year, Robb Flynn is planning the band’s future

Machine Head's Robb Flynn (Image credit: Steve Brown)

Machine Head have begun auditioning for a new guitarist and drummer.

Both Phil Demmel and Dave McClain quit the band following the conclusion of the Freaks & Zeroes tour in November last year.

And with Machine Head leader Robb Flynn back in the studio working on “some new heaviness,” the search in on for a new duo to join him and bassist Jared MacEachern.

Flynn revealed that auditions had been taking place at Sharkbite Studios in California during an Instagram live stream.

According to Blabbermouth, Flynn said: “You might not know some of these guys, some of you may.”

He added: “It’s been awesome, really good – in fact, really confusing. I don't know where we are going. We've got some thinking to do.”

The musicians in question have been put through their paces by playing tracks including Locust, From This Day, Halo, Aesthetics Of Hate and This Is The End.

Since leaving Machine Head, Demmel has played with Slayer and resurrected Vio-lence, while McClain recently rejoined Sacred Reich. 

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.