Robb Flynn - Lead Vocals, Guitars

Robb Flynn was born Lawrence Matthew Cardine on July 19, 1967, in Oakland, California. He was adopted as an infant and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, growing up in San Lorenzo and later Fremont, California.

Flynn developed an interest in heavy music at an early age, with Black Sabbath becoming one of his biggest influences and a major reason why he began playing guitar. Other important influences included the emerging Bay Area thrash metal scene, particularly bands such as Exodus and Metallica, as well as Slayer and hardcore punk bands including Dead Kennedys, D.R.I. and Suicidal Tendencies.

Forbidden Evil

In 1985, while still in high school, Flynn became one of the founding guitarists of Forbidden Evil, alongside guitarist Craig Locicero. The band became part of the emerging second wave of Bay Area thrash metal.

Flynn played guitar and contributed backing vocals to the band's early demos but left in 1987 before they recorded their first studio album. Shortly afterwards, the band shortened its name to Forbidden.

Despite leaving before the recording of their debut, Flynn had already made a significant contribution to the band's early material. Four songs he helped write were eventually included on Forbidden's 1988 debut album Forbidden Evil: "Chalice of Blood", "Forbidden Evil", "As Good as Dead" and part of "March into Fire".

Vio-lence

In 1987, Flynn left Forbidden Evil and joined fellow Bay Area thrash metal band Vio-lence, replacing guitarist Troy Fua. There he teamed up with guitarist Phil Demmel, beginning a musical partnership that would eventually be renewed many years later in Machine Head.

Flynn played guitar on Vio-lence's debut album, Eternal Nightmare, released in 1988, followed by Oppressing the Masses in 1990 and the Torture Tactics EP in 1991. He also performed on Nothing to Gain, which was recorded before his departure but not released until 1993.

By 1991, Flynn had become increasingly interested in creating music that moved away from the traditional thrash metal approach of Vio-lence toward something heavier and more groove-oriented.

On October 12, 1991, after attending the Day on the Green festival in Oakland, Flynn approached his friend and longtime Vio-lence fan Adam Duce about starting a new project. Flynn had already written early versions of "Death Church" and "Blood for Blood", songs that Vio-lence had rejected.

That new project would become Machine Head.

For several months, Flynn remained a member of Vio-lence while simultaneously developing Machine Head. His relationship with Vio-lence eventually came to an end following a violent confrontation involving members of the band and a local gang. The incident resulted in threats against the band and contributed to Flynn's departure in 1992. More than 25 years later, Flynn revisited the incident in the Machine Head song "Triple Beam" on Catharsis.

The Birth of Machine Head

Following his departure from Vio-lence, Machine Head became Flynn's full-time band. The early lineup consisted of Flynn on vocals and guitar, Adam Duce on bass, Logan Mader on guitar and Tony Costanza on drums.

Chris Kontos subsequently replaced Costanza, and the band began developing the material that would become their debut album.

Machine Head signed with Roadrunner Records and released Burn My Eyes in 1994. The album established Machine Head internationally and became one of Roadrunner Records' most successful debut releases.

As vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter, Flynn became the central creative force behind Machine Head. He is the only member to have appeared on every Machine Head studio album and has remained with the band throughout its entire history.

Machine Head Through the Years

Following Burn My Eyes, Machine Head released The More Things Change... in 1997. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the band experiment with different influences on The Burning Red (1999) and Supercharger (2001), incorporating elements of alternative and nu metal into their established groove metal sound.

The band returned to a heavier and more expansive style with Through the Ashes of Empires in 2003, which also marked the beginning of Flynn's renewed musical partnership with former Vio-lence guitarist Phil Demmel.

This development continued with The Blackening in 2007. Featuring longer and more complex compositions such as "Clenching the Fists of Dissent", "Aesthetics of Hate" and "Halo", the album became one of the most acclaimed releases of Machine Head's career.

Flynn continued to lead Machine Head through Unto the Locust (2011), Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014) and Catharsis (2018).

Following the departures of longtime guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain in 2018, Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern began another period of rebuilding the band. Machine Head subsequently released the concept album Øf Kingdøm and Crøwn in 2022.

With guitarist Reece Scruggs and drummer Matt Alston becoming part of Machine Head's current era, the band released its eleventh studio album, UNATØNED, in 2025.

Roadrunner United

Outside Machine Head, one of Flynn's most significant projects came in 2005 when Roadrunner Records celebrated its 25th anniversary with the all-star project Roadrunner United.

Flynn was selected as one of four "team captains" alongside Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and Trivium guitarist and vocalist Matt Heafy.

Each captain assembled different groups of musicians from Roadrunner's history to write and record original material. Flynn wrote and produced four tracks for The All-Star Sessions: "The Dagger", "Independent (Voice of the Voiceless)", "The Rich Man" and "Army of the Sun".

Flynn also performed guitar, keyboards and vocals on various tracks and participated in the Roadrunner United concert in New York City in December 2005.

Other Projects and Collaborations

Flynn has participated in several other projects during his career. In 1994, while Machine Head was beginning its rise, he briefly played guitar in the side project Sexoturica, which also involved musicians including Jason Newsted, Tom Hunting and Gary Holt.

He has also performed live with Exodus and participated in numerous guest appearances and collaborations with other metal artists throughout his career.

In addition to performing, Flynn has played an extensive role in the production of Machine Head's music, receiving production and co-production credits on much of the band's catalogue.

An Evening With Machine Head

During the Bloodstone & Diamonds era, Machine Head began adopting an unusual touring format known as "An Evening With Machine Head".

Instead of touring with traditional support bands, Machine Head performed extended concerts lasting approximately two and a half to three hours. The format allowed Flynn and the band to explore significantly more of Machine Head's catalogue, including deep cuts and slower songs that rarely appeared during conventional festival or support slots.

The format became an important part of Machine Head's live identity and was revived for a European tour in 2026.

The 2026 shows were once again presented without opening bands and featured approximately three hours of Machine Head material, allowing the band to change songs, improvise and revisit parts of their catalogue that had rarely been performed live.

Electric Happy Hour

Flynn has also developed a more direct connection with Machine Head fans through the band's Electric Happy Hour livestreams.

Originally launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the streams featured Flynn performing Machine Head songs, cover versions and fan requests, often accompanied by other musicians and members of the band. The concept eventually expanded beyond its original livestream format and became another outlet for Flynn to interact directly with the Machine Head community.

Legacy

From the early days of Forbidden Evil and Vio-lence to more than three decades leading Machine Head, Robb Flynn has remained closely connected to the evolution of heavy metal in the San Francisco Bay Area.

As Machine Head's founder, vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter and producer, Flynn has been the one constant throughout every incarnation of the band.

More than 40 years after beginning his career in the Bay Area underground, he remains the frontman and driving creative force behind Machine Head.