The guitarist has closed his Machine Head chapter with a heartfelt tribute to Flynn, recalling the support he received after his father’s diagnosis.
Reece Scruggs has confirmed his departure from Machine Head, describing a recent reunion with Robb Flynn as a chance to bring his time in the band to a positive close.
In an Instagram statement posted on 20 October, the guitarist recalled telling Flynn he needed to return home after receiving news of his father’s diagnosis. The conversation took place in a Starbucks in Mexico City, with Scruggs saying Flynn offered his support before he could finish explaining.
Leaving under those circumstances had given their last meeting a painful finality. A subsequent invitation from Flynn to attend a San Francisco 49ers game gave Scruggs an opportunity to reconnect with his former bandmate and thank him in person.
Scruggs described touring the world and releasing an album with Machine Head as an achievement he would always treasure. He also pledged his continued support for the band and crew, praising Flynn for listening to him, encouraging him and standing by him during an exceptionally difficult period.
“And with that, a chapter has ended. Time to turn the page,” he wrote.
The farewell follows Flynn’s own 10 October reflection on the end of the UNATØNED album cycle. Flynn thanked Scruggs, Wacław ‘Vogg’ Kiełtyka and Ben Eller for their contributions, saying the band would take time off before deciding what comes next.
As BLUNT recently reported, Machine Head subsequently released the standalone single ‘Sutures’ on 20 October.
Australian fans had already seen the practical effects of Scruggs’ absence. BLUNT reported in November 2025 that he was staying home to support his father, while Machine Head prepared to play their first three Australian dates as a trio after further setbacks involving replacement guitarists.
Scruggs already has something new to share. His death-thrash trio Burning Hammer pairs him with bassist Noah Martin and drummer Stefen Burns, giving him room to pursue his own musical vision on guitar and lead vocals.
The trio have signed to independent label Nefarious Industries and released debut single ‘Rabid Lycanthropy’, a first taste of an album planned for early 2027.
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