The Eighth Plague Tour
# The Eighth Plague Tour

The Eighth Plague Tour was a concert tour by American heavy metal band Machine Head. Supports in the first leg of Europe was come from the bands Bring Me the Horizon, Devildriver and Darkest Hour. Robb Flynn made a statement saying that: "This will no doubt be the heaviest show you're going to see this year. A lot of the greatest shows of our last touring cycle were in Europe and the UK, so the prospect of this lineup combined with these crowds has us extremely stoked to get out there and tear it up! New material, great venues, killer fans... we absolutely cannot wait!"

The tour continued through North America, with Suicide Silence, Darkest Hour and Rise to Remain, which began on January 15, 2012 in Denver. Machine Head was playing on the 2012's Australian Soundwave Festival.

On January 29, 2012 in Buffalo, New York Machine Head invited a 13-year-old fan onstage to play the song Aesthetics of Hate, from The Blackening album. Anthony Potenza was holding a sign that read "Let This 13-Year-Old Play 'Aesthetics of Hate' With You", and the band took him up on it.

In the summer of 2012, the band was playing at music festivals and headline shows in Europe. Evile supported the band on their two Irish dates. Besides those dates, Machine Head was the opening act for Metallica, on several European dates. In August, the band was playing for the first ever Slipknot's music festival Knotfest.

On August 11, 2012 the band played and Headlined Bloodstock Open Air in England for the first time. The band played a special set commemorating the 20th anniversary of the band's first ever live performance so the fans chose 5 songs from their debut album Burn My Eyes

On September 10, 2012, the band announced a second leg of North American dates. The trek kicked off on October 24 with a "warm up show" in Louisville, Kentucky, 2 massive radio festivals in Orlando and Tampa, Florida, and then with Dethklok on October 30 at The Norva in Norfolk, Virginia and will hit 33 cities before wrapping on December 8 in Atlanta.

For the third time in a row, the corporate powers behind Walt Disney Properties pressured promoter Live Nation into cancelling Machine Head's performance at a House of Blues venue on Disney property, which was the December 4th show in Orlando, Florida. The band said in a statement: "While no one is willing to provide evidence that would prove unfavorable to Disney, sources close to events have suggested that Machine Head remains on a "banned list", and while Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder will still be allowed to play, the corporate powers at Disney have refused to allow Machine Head to perform."

On November 13, 2012, Machine Head exited their North American tour with Dethklok, All That Remains and Black Dahlia Murder due to matters completely beyond their control. Frontman Robb Flynn needed emergency surgery. Flynn had planned to go under the knife in January after completing the tour as he has been playing through the pain of a double inguinal hernia since the tour started in October. He had hoped to continue the tour despite extreme discomfort, but it became too difficult to continue on. Flynn underwent surgery on Wednesday, November 14 in Minneapolis before returning home to California to recover, rest and recuperate. Machine Head rejoined the tour in Portland, Oregon.

This tour was the last with Adam Duce.

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| - | - | - | - |
| Europe ||||
| November 1, 2011 | Oslo | Norway | Sentrum Scene |
| November 3, 2011 | Stockholm | Sweden | Fryshuset |
| November 5, 2011 | Tampere | Finland | Tampere-talo |
| November 6, 2011 | Helsinki | Finland | The Circus |
| November 8, 2011 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Amager Bio |
| November 9, 2011 | Hamburg | Germany | Grosse Freiheit 36 |
| November 10, 2011 | Dresden | Germany | Alter Schlachthof |
| November 12, 2011 | Vienna | Austria | Gasometer |
| November 13, 2011 | Milan | Italy | Alcatraz |
| November 15, 2011 | Barcelona | Spain | Razzmatazz |
| November 16, 2011 | Madrid | Spain | La Riviera |
| November 17, 2011 | Lisbon | Portugal | Coliseu dos Recreios |
| November 18, 2011 | Oporto | Portugal | Coliseu do Porto |
| November 19, 2011 | Bilbao | Spain | Rockstar Live |
| November 21, 2011 | Zürich | Switzerland | Volkshaus |
| November 23, 2011 | Paris | France | Zénith Paris |
| November 24, 2011 | Neu-Isenburg | Germany | Hugenottenhalle |
| November 25, 2011 | Munich | Germany | Tonhalle |
| November 26, 2011 | Ludwigsburg | Germany | Arena Ludwigsburg |
| November 28, 2011 | Tilburg | Netherlands | 013 |
| November 29, 2011 | Brussels | Belgium | Forest National |
| November 30, 2011 | Oberhausen | Germany | Turbinenhalle |
| December 1, 2011 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal |
| December 3, 2011 | London | England | Wembley Arena |
| December 4, 2011 | Birmingham | England | National Indoor Arena |
| December 5, 2011 | Glasgow | Scotland | Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre |
| December 6, 2011 | Manchester | England | Manchester Central Convention Complex |
| North America ||||
| January 15, 2012 | Denver | United States | Summit Music Hall |
| January 17, 2012 | Sauget | United States | Pop's |
| January 19, 2012 | Saint Paul | United States | Station 4 |
| January 20, 2012 | Milwaukee | United States | The Rave |
| January 21, 2012 | Royal Oak | United States | Royal Oak Music Theatre |
| January 22, 2012 | Chicago | United States | House of Blues |
| January 24, 2012 | Columbus | United States | Newport Music Hall |
| January 26, 2012 | Portland | United States | State Theatrer |
| January 27, 2012 | Montreal | Canada | Métropolis |
| January 28, 2012 | Toronto | Canada | The Sound Academy |
| January 29, 2012 | Buffalo | United States | Town Ballroom |
| January 31, 2012 | Pittsburgh | United States | Stage AE |
| February 1, 2012 | Baltimore | United States | Rams Head Live! |
| February 2, 2012 | Philadelphia | United States | Trocadero Theatre |
| February 3, 2012 | New York City | United States | Best Buy Theater |
| February 4, 2012 | Worcester | United States | Worcester Palladium |
| February 6, 2012 | Norfolk | United States | Norva Theater |
| February 7, 2012 | Charlotte | United States | The Fillmore Charlotte |
| February 9, 2012 | Atlanta | United States | The Masquerade |
| February 10, 2012 | New Orleans | United States | House of Blues |
| February 11, 2012 | Houston | United States | House of Blues |
| February 12, 2012 | San Antonio | United States | Backstage Live |
| February 13, 2012 | Dallas | United States | House of Blues |
| February 15, 2012 | Farmington | United States | Top Deck |
| February 16, 2012 | Tucson | United States | Rialto Theatre |
| February 17, 2012 | Los Angeles | United States | Avalon |
| February 18, 2012 | San Francisco | United States | The Warfield |
| Australia ("Soundwave Festival") ||||
| February 25, 2012 | Brisbane | Australia | RNA Showgrounds |
| February 26, 2012 | Sydney | Australia | Olympic Park |
| February 28, 2012 | Melbourne | Australia | Palace Theater |
| February 29, 2012 | Sydney | Australia | UNSW Roundhouse |
| March 2, 2012 | Melbourne | Australia | Royal Melbourne Showgrounds |
| March 3, 2012 | Adelaide | Australia | Bonython Park |
| March 5, 2012 | Perth | Australia | Claremont Showground |
| Europe, Leg#2 ||||
| May 7, 2012 | Prague | Czech Republic | Synot Tip Arena |
| May 8, 2012 | Belgrade | Serbia | Ušće Park |
| May 10, 2012 | Warsaw | Poland | Sonisphere Festival |
| May 13, 2012 | Udine | Italy | Stadio Friuli |
| May 25, 2012 | Madrid | Spain | Sonisphere Festival |
| May 28, 2012 | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Ulster Hall |
| May 30, 2012 | Dublin | Ireland | Olympia Theatre |
| June 1, 2012 | Nürburg | Germany | Rock am Ring |
| June 2, 2012 | Nijmegen | Netherlands | Fortarock Festival |
| June 3, 2012 | Nuremberg | Germany | Rock im Park |
| June 4, 2012 | Helsinki | Finland | Sonisphere Festival |
| June 8, 2012 | Leicestershire | England | Download Festival |
| June 9, 2012 | Nickelsdorf | Austria | Nova Rock Festival |
| June 14, 2012 | Stockholm | Sweden | Gröna Lund |
| June 15, 2012 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Metaltown Festival |
| June 16, 2012 | Clisson | France | Hellfest |
| June 23, 2012 | Basel | Switzerland | Earshaker Days Festival |
| June 24, 2012 | Dessel | Belgium | Graspop Metal Meeting |
| June 29, 2012 | Löbnitz | Germany | With Full Force |
| June 30, 2012 | Bucharest | Romania | Rock The City Festival |
| July 1, 2012 | Athens | Greece | Rockwave Festival |
| July 5, 2012 | Roskilde | Denmark | Roskilde Festival |
| July 7, 2012 | Amnéville | France | Sonisphere Festival |
| July 31, 2012 | Osijek | Croatia | Dvorište Vega |
| August 2, 2012 | Székesfehérvár | Hungary | Fezen Festival |
| August 3, 2012 | Kostrzyn nad Odrą | Poland | Przystanek Woodstock |
| August 4, 2012 | Wacken | Germany | Wacken Open Air |
| August 5, 2012 | Lokeren | Belgium | Lokeren Feesten |
| August 6, 2012 | Tolmin | Slovenia | Metalcamp |
| August 10, 2012 | Jaroměř | Czech Republic | Brutal Assault |
| August 11, 2012 | Walton-upon-Trent | England | Bloodstock Open Air |
| United States ||||
| August 17, 2012 | Pacific Junction | United States | Knotfest |
| August 18, 2012 | Somerset | United States | Knotfest |
| North America, Leg#2 ||||
| October 24, 2012 | Louisville | United States | Headliner's |
| October 26, 2012 | Orlando | United States | WJRR Halloweenie Roast |
| October 27, 2012 | Tampa | United States | 98ROCK Halloweenie Roast |
| October 30, 2012 | Norfolk | United States | Norva Theatre |
| October 31, 2012 | Philadelphia | United States | Electric Factory |
| November 2, 2012 | Silver Spring | United States | The Fillmore Silver Spring |
| November 4, 2012 | Worcester | United States | Worcester Palladium |
| November 5, 2012 | Montreal | Canada | Métropolis |
| November 7, 2012 | Toronto | Canada | The Sound Academy |
| November 8, 2012 | Pittsburgh | United States | Stage AE |
| November 9, 2012 | Columbus | United States | Lifestyle Communities Pavilion |
| November 10, 2012 | Detroit | United States | The Fillmore Detroit |
| November 11, 2012 | Grand Rapids | United States | The Orbit Room |
| November 26, 2012 | Oakland | United States | Fox Oakland Theatre |
| November 27, 2012 | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Palladium |
| November 28, 2012 | Tempe | United States | Marquee Theatre |
| November 30, 2012 | Dallas | United States | House of Blues |
| December 1, 2012 | Austin | United States | Stubb's |
| December 2, 2012 | Houston | United States | House of Blues |
| December 6, 2012 | Chattanooga | United States | Track 29 |
| December 7, 2012 | Charlotte | United States | The Fillmore Charlotte |
| December 8, 2012 | Atlanta | United States | The Tabernacle |
| December 14, 2012 | New York City | United States | Roseland Ballroom |

* A^ Headline shows, non Soundwave festival dates.
* B^ Opening for Metallica.

### Canceled and rescheduled dates

| November 3, 2012 | New York City | Roseland Ballroom | Date rescheduled to December 14, 2012. |
| - | - | - | - |
| November 13, 2012 | Fargo | The Venue @ Playmaker's | Date canceled. |
| November 14, 2012 | Saint Paul | Myth | Date canceled. |
| November 15, 2012 | Milwaukee | Eagles Ballroom | Date canceled. |
| November 16, 2012 | Chicago | Aragon Ballroom | Date canceled. |
| November 17, 2012 | Kansas City | The Midland by AMC | Date canceled. |
| November 18, 2012 | Saint Louis | The Pageant | Date canceled. |
| November 20, 2012 | Denver | The Fillmore Auditorium | Date canceled. |
| November 21, 2012 | Salt Lake City | The Great Saltair | Date canceled. |
| November 23, 2012 | Seattle | Showbox at the Market | Date canceled. |
| November 24, 2012 | Portland | Roseland Theatre | Date canceled. |
| December 4, 2012 | Orlando | House of Blues | Date canceled. |
| December 7–10, 2011 | Miami | Mayhem Festival Cruise | Date canceled. |

## Setlist

Diary of a Madman (Ozzy Osbourne cover)

* "I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)"
* "Be Still and Know"
* "Imperium"
* "Beautiful Mourning"
* "The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears"
* "Locust"
* "This Is the End"
* "Aesthetics of Hate"
* "Old"
* "Darkness Within"

Declaration

* "Bulldozer"
* "Ten Ton Hammer"
* "Who We Are"

Encore:

* "Halo"
* "Davidian"

## Personnel

* Robb Flynn – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
* Adam Duce – bass guitar, backing vocals
* Phil Demmel – lead guitar
* Dave McClain – drums

## Support acts

* Bring Me the Horizon (November 1–December 6, 2011)
* Devildriver (November 1–December 6, 2011)
* Darkest Hour (November 1, 2011–February 18, 2012)
* Rise to Remain (January 15–February 18, 2012)
* Suicide Silence (January 15–February 18, 2012)
* Chimaira (February 28–29, 2012)
* Shadows Fall (February 28–29, 2012)
* Times of Grace (February 28–29, 2012)
* Dead Label (May 28–30, 2012)
* Evile (May 28–30, 2012)
* Engel (June 14, 2012)
* All That Remains (October 30–December 8, 2012)
* The Black Dahlia Murder (October 30–December 8, 2012)
* Dethklok [co-headliner] (October 30–December 8, 2012)
