Machine Head detail album No.8

Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn has revealed details of the Bay Area behemoths' eighth album.

It’s entitled Bloodstone & Diamonds and features 12 tracks – and Flynn describes the production process as “a heck of a ride.”

He says on his blog: “Bloodstone & Diamonds. There you have it – the new album title in all its glory. I cannot even begin to tell you how proud we are.

“It looked like it might not ever happen again at one point; but man, this is a milestone for us. You’re going to love it, Headcases. Without getting too philosophical on ya, bloodstone and diamonds represent two of the hardest materials on earth. It’s also a lyric from the opening track, Now We Die.

“In many cultures the bloodstone has been used as an amulet to protect against evil, and is the symbol of justice. Diamonds are the hardest natural material on earth – which is how we feel about our music. It also represents the diamond logo I drew 22 years ago that’s become the symbol for the band.”

The follow-up to 2011’s Unto The Locust is due later this year via Nuclear Blast. Machine Head just announced a UK tour for December, with support from Devil You Know and Darkest Hour.

Bloodstone & Diamonds tracklist

  1. Now We Die

  2. Killers & Kings

  3. Ghosts Will Haunt My Bones

  4. Night Of Long Knives

  5. Sail Into The Black

  6. Eyes Of The Dead

  7. Beneath The Silt

  8. In Comes The Flood

  9. Damage Inside

  10. Game Over

  11. Imaginal Cells (instrumental)

  12. Take Me Through The Fire

Merlin Alderslade
Executive Editor, Louder

Merlin moved into his role as Executive Editor of Louder in early 2022, following over ten years working at Metal Hammer. While there, he served as Online Editor and Deputy Editor, before being promoted to Editor in 2016. Before joining Metal Hammer, Merlin worked as Associate Editor at Terrorizer Magazine and has previously written for the likes of Classic Rock, Rock Sound, eFestivals and others. Across his career he has interviewed legends including Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Metallica, Iron Maiden (including getting a trip on Ed Force One courtesy of Bruce Dickinson), Guns N' Roses, KISS, Slipknot, System Of A Down and Meat Loaf. He has also presented and produced the Metal Hammer Podcast, presented the Metal Hammer Radio Show and is probably responsible for 90% of all nu metal-related content making it onto the site.