WATCH: Machine Head unleash 'Stop The Bleeding' ft. Jesse Leach
A fiery response to the killing of George Floyd
Bay Area metal titans Machine Head have unleashed a two-song digital single called ‘Civil Unrest’, consisting of the fiery A-Side ‘Stop The Bleeding’ featuring Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach and a B-side entitled ‘Bulletproof’.
Directly inspired by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin, ‘Stop The Bleeding’ is a fierce protest anthem that sees Robb Flynn and Jesse Leach spit hard-hitting lines like “Beating after beating / Throat choked under knee / Help me please / Because I can’t breathe / Just stop the bleeding.”
"I wrote and sang the lyrics on Wednesday May 27th 2020, the day that the four officers who murdered George Floyd were (originally) not charged with anything,” comments Machine Head lynchpin Robb Flynn.
“This day was engulfed in protests and riots across America. I drove into Oakland, past large demonstrations already happening and in a fury wrote down everything I was feeling after watching the horrific footage. Within hours, what I wanted to say, what I needed to say had been recorded in the song.
“I decided to sing it over a song called ‘Stop The Bleeding’, that we had recorded back in December. 2018 with Jared MacEachearn, Machine Head bassist and Carlos Cruz Warbringer on drums.”
Jesse Leach adds: “Being asked to be part of this song is an honour. Yes, because it’s Machine Head, but more importantly, this is a message that needs to be heard and spread. These issues concerning abuses of power and racism are timeless. I have written about these previously and I’ll write about them again.
“I think Robb really nailed this one, both lyrically and sonically. My hope is this song helps awaken those who hear it. Robb has been a frequent voice of the voiceless in these times, so teaming up with him is a no brainer. We need more of our Metal Community to speak out on social issues and help raise awareness, especially during these crucial times.
“Music is the soundtrack to our lives, it transcends language and culture. This is the reason we as musicians need to do our part to spark thought and discussion on these types of issues. We can make a difference through music and we can help stop the bleeding.”
The accompanying music video was directed and edited by Mike Sloat, with Robb filming his parts in Oakland, CA, and Jesse recording his parts in Kingston, NY. Watch it here:
B-side ‘Bulletproof’ is partially inspired by the shooting of unarmed 25-year-old African-American man Ahmaud Arbery in February.
Robb Flynn elucidates further: “The lyrics for ‘Bulletproof’ were finished in the aftermath of not only the Ahmaud Arbery murder at the hands of white supremacist, but everything twisting out of control in our World. The isolation and craziness of the pandemic, the lockdown protesters storming government buildings with AR-15‘s, as well as the blatant lies and conspiracies pouring out of our political leaders mouths, hour by hour, day after day.”
‘Civil Unrest’ is available to stream and purchase RIGHT HERE. Machine Head are donating a a significant portion of their streaming proceeds from ‘Stop The Bleeding’ to the Grassroots Law Project, which represents George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.
Machine Head ft. Jesse Leach – ‘Stop The Bleeding’ lyrics:
The endless scroll of human tragedy
I swipe along as the days go by
Another brother murdered out in the streets
I connect to the shame, we don’t know what it’s like
*
Born lucky cause the color of skin
America your heart is caving in
Somehow I thought this was the land of the free
Where is our humanity?
Our humanity
*
Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding
*
Body after body
Piles up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding
*
And some will claim it’s a conspiracy
The fake news out to undermine
When riots fight off white supremacy
Never given a choice, so they’re drawing a line
*
I stare and look out at the world in disgust
These men are dying over nothing just
Good men stand up and show your bravery
For a lost democracy
Our democracy
*
Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding
*
Body after body
Piles up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding
*
Our strife
Our struggle
Fight through these open wounds
*
Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding
*
Body after body
Piled up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding now
*
Our strife
Our struggle
Fight through these open wounds