Machine Head Packs the Fox With Headbangers

Machine Head
Fox Theater, Oakland
April 5, 2025

Photos by Raymond Ahner

Late last year, Bay Area metal stalwarts Machine Head announced a major 25-date US tour, which sees the band crossing North America. With co-headliners In Flames, along with Lacuna Coil and Unearth along for the ride, the tour promises to be one of the biggest of 2025. The band will release their eleventh studio record, titled Unatoned on April 25th via Nuclear Blast and Imperium Recordings, and recently released the single “These Scars Won’t Define Us,” which features vocals from all four bands on the current tour.

Kicking things off with a Machine Head hometown show on April 5th at the Fox Theater in Oakland, the tour played to a packed to the rafters venue.

After both Unearth and Milan, Italy’s Lacuna Coil brought the headbangers in early, co-headliners In Flames put on an hour long precise set of melodic death metal. Highlights from their set included “Food for the Gods,” “Meet Your Maker,” and “The Mirror’s Truth.” By the time they wrapped up their set with “My Sweet Shadow,” the entire crowd was primed and ready for the “other” headliner.

With a very Nordic video backdrop, Machine Head took the stage and immediately launched into “Imperium.” From there it was a clinic in Bay Area thrash metal, and highlights included “Choke on the Ashes of Your Hate,” “Slaughter the Martyr,” and “Davidian,” which featured longtime Bay Area metalhead and former Machine Head member Chris Kontos on drums.