Of Kingdom and Crown

Of Kingdom and Crown is the band's first concept album. The band's frontman, Robb Flynn, described the general plot of the album's concept to Blabbermouth; Due to logistical problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt Alston was unable to perform drum duties for the album, but recorded the album's demo tracks Plot summary The album's story is set in a "decimated futuristic wasteland where the sky is stained crimson red". A man called Ares becomes overcome by rage and need for revenge when his love Amethyst is murdered ("Slaughter the Martyr"), and in his rage, combined with the dystopia he sees ("Choke On The Ashes Of Your Hate"), becomes the leader of an army rampaging through society ("Become The Firestorm"). In a flashback, another man, Eros, loses his mother to a drug overdose ("Overdose"), which pushes him into a depression ("My Hands are Empty"); as he struggles to stay sane ("Unhallowed"), he is radicalized by a demagogue ("Assimilate"), and goes on a murderous rampage ("Kill Thy Enemies"), culminating in the murder of Amethyst retold at the start of the story. As Ares' army continues their destruction ("No Gods, No Masters"), Eros prepares to face them head on ("Bloodshot"), but realizing what he has done, breaks from his conviction ("Rotten") and commits suicide ("Terminus"). Understanding the futility of the war he is waging, Ares vows to end it ("Arrows In Words From The Sky"). == Reception ==

Of Kingdom and Crown received critical acclaim from music critics. Many publications hailed the album as a return to form for the band. Writing for Kerrang!, Dan Slessor praised the band's musical interplay and wrote "Machine Head have been down before – their nu-metal adventures 20-something years ago – and have come back from it, so maybe counting them out was premature. Regardless, with this version of the band they are back to their best, and that is all that matters." Simultaneously, it was also praised as for its diversity and advancement of the band's sound, which was described as heavier and more technical; Blabbermouth, who awarded the album a perfect 10/10 score, described Of Kingdom and Crown as "the greatest record Machine Head have ever made", writing; "the principle and performance remain the same — tight, brutal, precise — throughout what is easily this band's most vicious and punishing album yet." Metal Injection gave the album a 9/10, writing "Despite its occasional stumble – it's another long album, with more than a little recognizable fat to be trimmed in tracks like 'No Gods, No Masters' – it's undoubtedly a career high point for the band and one that could be held up against The Blackening in comparison with very little complaint. The storytelling aspect works, and the music is top-notch and as heavy as Machine Head comes in places. What's not to love?" == Track listing ==

Notes • All tracks are stylized in all caps, and all letter O's are stylised as "Ø" == Personnel ==

Machine Head • Robb Flynn – lead vocals, guitar • Wacław Kiełtyka – guitar • Jared MacEachern – bass, backing vocals • Matt Alston – drums, percussion Production and additional musicians • Robb Flynn – production • Zack Ohren – production, engineering • Colin Richardson – mixing • Chris Clancy – mixing, engineering • Ted Jensen – producer, engineering • Logan Mader – guitar and songwriting on "My Hands Are Empty" • Seth Siro Anton – artwork • Navene Koperweis - drum performance == Charts ==