On December 14, 2024, Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn made a surprise guest appearance with his former band Vio-lence at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Flynn joined Vio-lence to perform “Kill On Command” and “World In A World,” two classic tracks from the band’s 1988 debut album, Eternal Nightmare. This performance was part of Death Angel’s two-night annual Christmas concert series, and it marked a special moment for longtime fans of both Machine Head and Vio-lence.
Flynn’s connection to Vio-lence dates back to the band’s early days when he was a member of their classic lineup, playing a significant role in their debut. However, despite Vio-lence‘s reunion in 2018, Flynn was not approached to take part, and instead, the band continued with a different lineup. This reunion came shortly after guitarist Phil Demmel’s acrimonious departure from Machine Head, a situation that led to some strained personal dynamics within the band. Flynn and Demmel’s complicated relationship has been well-documented, with both sharing some tensions from their years together in Machine Head.
In a 2022 interview, Vio-lence vocalist Sean Killian spoke about the possibility of Flynn rejoining Vio-lence, noting that it would depend on timing and whether it could work with the band’s touring schedule. While Killian acknowledged the past conflicts between Flynn and Demmel, he emphasized that both Flynn and Demmel remain his friends. Killian suggested that, should the situation arise, Flynn might be open to playing with Vio-lence again, particularly if Demmel wasn’t involved at the time.
Flynn’s appearance with Vio-lence on stage shows that, despite the band’s internal dynamics and history, there remains a strong sense of camaraderie between the members. Vio-lence continues to tour, with a lineup featuring Killian, drummer Nick Souza, and guitarists Mario Salcedo and Pat O’Brien, and released Let The World Burn in 2022.
