MACHINE HEAD Address American Record Label Situation

MACHINE HEAD manager Joseph W. Huston has addressed the band's current American record label situation via the following posting to the group's official message board at www.machinehead1.com:

"I have not taken occasion to post on this forum, but due to current circumstances I felt it was important. I know many of you have expressed concern, and in some cases, frustration in regards to the release of 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' in various territories. I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify things and to express thanks on behalf of MACHINE HEAD and myself for your patience and understanding.

"The album was released in Europe and the U.K. on Oct. 27th and it is due out in Australia and Japan toward the end of this month. As for the U.S., Canada and South America, we are still in the negotiation process with several labels. Traditionally, MACHINE HEAD albums have been released almost simultaneously worldwide. Due to circumstances already elaborated upon by [guitarist/vocalist] Robb [Flynn] to you all, this release is different. We have narrowed down the field of potential label partners for the above-mentioned territories, and our hopes are that we will have an agreement in place at some point over the weeks ahead. It is important for MACHINE HEAD to have a label in place that knows the band, the music, and all of you — the people that support them. It is not as much the financial aspect of the deals that is consuming time as much as it is the mechanics of structuring a deal that allows MACHINE HEAD to be MACHINE HEAD. We are fairly close, and of course, as soon as something is inked you all will be the first to know.

"These markets, especially the U.S., require a fair amount of lead time to release an album properly (magazine ads, interviews, etc.),but we are confident that a deal will be in place and the process of releasing the album will be well underway before the end of the year, meaning 'Through The Ashes Of Empires' should be released in North and South America within the first quarter of the new year. MACHINE HEAD spent the time to write and record an amazing album and were more hands-on with this album then anything they have ever done, and they have done one hell of a job. The tour is going great and everyone is excited about the response that the album is receiving. Do not get discouraged, the album will be out in whatever country you reside in soon, and we will try to be sure you all get a little something special for waiting. Again, thanks to you ALL for your support and your patience, none of this is possible without you."