Last week Machine Head were heavily teasing a new single titled “My Hands Are Empty” and it has finally arrived. The band dropped a new music video with the track and also filmed a behind the scenes look into the process. Frontman, Robb Flynn spoke about the meaning of the song and the pain of fighting through addictions.
“I have some family members who have beaten their opioid addiction, and have some still in the throes of addiction. It is painful to watch, and I deal with it with great difficulty. It is a song of sadness, but there is hope as well. I have beaten my own drug addictions and we can fight through this, together, and share our pain with the world.”
Flynn added that he was going for a vibe similar to 2004’s Through The Ashes Of Empires and also shared how guitarist Logan Mader (Once Human) contributed to the track:
“Musically I wanted to go for a bit of a “Through The Ashes Of Empires” vibe, and it had a grandiose vibe from the beginning, something about that vocal melody haunted me day and night. I sent it off to one of our collaborators Joel Wanasek, and he came back with a whole depth and dimension with strings and keys that really made the song come alive. I added the guitar harmony in the chorus soon after and I knew we were on to something special.
On the recent “Burn My Eyes 25th Anniversary Tour” I mentioned to Logan about needing a riff or two for a new song, he was excited to collaborate, I sent him the song and the next day he sent me back the heavy riff in the bridge and I was floored. It fit perfectly, and felt really cool to be writing together 24 years later. Jared came up with the rhythm under the lead section and the song really locked into place.”
Mader added:
“During pre-pro for the BME anniversary tour last year, I had a special opportunity to collaborate with Machine Head for the first time in over 20 years.
This is a big milestone for me, to circle back on a massive orbit around life and end up doing new music with MH is epic and unexpected. The song, “My Hands Are Empty” was almost completed but needed a riff or two. Robb sent it to me, so I jumped in and added a section which ended up in the master after some arrangement tweaks by Robb. The song is amazing. It was a great feeling to be in the studio with Robb after all these years and I hope to do it again!”
Just like the band’s previous single “Circle the Drain,” drum duties were held by Navene Koperweis (Entheos, Animals As Leaders) and the track was co-produded by Zack Ohren.
Purchase/stream “My Hands Are Empty” here or check out the video below!
