Machine Head releases new song; listen to “Bastards”

"Bastards" is based on the American political landscape

Machine Head has released the third single from their upcoming album Catharsis , scheduled for release on January 26th via Nuclear Blast.

According to frontman Robb Flynn, "Bastards" brings a very different approach to what the band is used to doing. "We had a lot of debates about this song. 'Can we say this?' 'Do we need to say this?' 'Can we make a song like this?'" says Flynn.

The track features four chords that many already recognize from Folk music, but Flynn reveals that these were the notes that best matched the message and vocals of "Bastards".

Explaining the lyrics, the frontman says he composed the track the day after the American presidential election, "I had a conversation with my children about the election and it was very complicated. So I needed to write a song about it ," he adds.

The successor to Bloodstone & Diamonds (2014) was produced by Flynn and recorded, mixed and co-produced by Zack Ohren (Fallujah, All Shall Perish) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California.

You can pre-order Cathasis here and watch the music video for its title track here .

Catharsis tracklist:

1. "Volatile"
2. "Catharsis"
3. "Beyond The Pale"
4. "California Bleeding"
5. "Triple Beam"
6. "Kaleidoscope"
7. "Bastards"
8. "Hope Begets Hope"
9. "Screaming At The Sun"
10. "Behind A Mask"
11. "Heavy Lies The Crown"
12. "Psychotic"
13. Grind You Down
14. "Razorblade Smile"
15. "Eulogy"