Machine Head Unleashes On Metal Forces Magazine: ‘GO F YOURSELVES’ For ‘Unatøned’ Critique

Bay Area metal veterans Machine Head are no strangers to controversy, but their latest confrontation may be one of their most unfiltered yet. Following a brutal 3/10 review of their new album Unatøned by Metal Forces, the band fired back publicly—sharing the review on Facebook with the caption: “GO F**K YOURSELVES!!!”

The post was quickly deleted, but not before screenshot was made. You can see it below.

The review, penned by long-time Metal Forces contributor Neil Arnold, pulls no punches. While it briefly acknowledges the strength of Machine Head’s 1994 debut Burn My Eyes and the heavy-hitting opener “Atømic Revelatiøns,” it quickly dives into scathing criticism of the band’s trajectory, accusing frontman Robb Flynn of trend-hopping and creating “dull and soulless” music. Tracks like “Bleeding Me Dry” and “Addicted Tø Pain” are called out for their cringe-inducing lyrics and lack of focus, while the overall album is described as “a weak and confusing array of songs lessened even further by the dreadful vocals.”

It’s not the first time Metal Forces and Flynn have clashed. The review references an earlier online altercation in which Flynn reportedly responded to criticism with the now-iconic line: “It must s*ck to be you!” Two decades later, it seems the friction hasn’t eased—only intensified.

Fans have been divided on social media, with some supporting Flynn’s no-holds-barred reaction, while others have questioned whether such a response to criticism serves the band’s image. While it’s common for artists to push back against negative press, few do so with Machine Head’s unapologetic fury.

Unatøned, the band’s 11th full-length album, continues Machine Head’s genre-blurring approach—mixing elements of metalcore, nu-metal, and even orchestral flourishes. But for critics like Neil Arnold, that evolution feels more like an identity crisis. “Never has a band sounded so sanitised and soulless,” he writes, suggesting the band has lost the aggression and authenticity that once defined them.

Whether Unatøned is a bold reinvention or a misfire will ultimately be decided by listeners, but the review and response have reignited a long-standing debate over Machine Head’s legacy—and Robb Flynn’s place as one of metal’s most divisive frontmen.