MACHINE HEAD fan site TakeMyScars.com has issued the following report, courtesy of Frontlines.MachineHead1.com:

Some of Machine Head's US fans have posted and asked why no US tour has been announced, on the official MH boards, and today Phil Demmel replied:

Blackening Europe UK shows: 117

Blackening US/Canada shows: 155

"I was wondering which support slot we should've turned down to go out and headline? - LAMB OF GOD
- HEAVEN AND HELL
- HELL YEAH! (We tried putting something together at this time but could find NO bands to take out, this tour was amazing for us in reaching new markets and fans and set us up for returning and headlining).
- The Mayhem fest
- METALLICA
- SLAYER/MEGADETH

Any suggestions?

Timing is a huge factor in picking tours. I feel bad for the US but everything we're doing is setting up what comes next. We ONLY headlined up until this record and when it came out the biggest names in metal wanted us out with them. FINALLY. If we don't take support slots we're confining ourselves to playing the SAME clubs and theatres forever.

Yeah the setlist was pretty similar for a lot of the runs in the US. We had to put together songs that would be best for people who'd never seen us before. We've been better and cognizant about mixing it up this past year. That will continue.

I understand the frustration. We haven't "forgotten" about North America. We've just been made offers that we (or ANY metal band) couldn't/wouldn't refuse. Europe/UK is simply more crazy for this band. In a sense the US has been the priority, raising our profile and reaching new fans via support slots was the vehicle to do this.

We've been killing ourselves (almost literally) out on the road just so we can still be a band. Things are done for a reason. We've always been one of the most fan-friendliest metal bands out there and always will be. Hang in there..."

As previously reported, Since the release of The Blackening in March of 2007, Machine Head has toured incessantly, playing more than 300 shows in support of the Grammy-nominated album. And while this three year-long album cycle has seen Machine Head share U.S. and European stages as main support to METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON and MEGADETH, headline the Jägermeister stage on the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, and headline the legendary Wacken festival to over 85,000 people, it hasn't seen them on a full-fledged headline tour, playing full-length sets. Until now.

Starting January 23rd, 2010, The Black Procession will tear through Europe and into the U.K., alongside brethren in heaviness HATEBREED, BLEEDING THROUGH and ALL SHALL PERISH, for what promises to be night-after-night of unbridled power! Machine Head singer/guitarist Robb Flynn says, "After three years of touring we are beyond stoked to finish this tour cycle on our own terms, with our show, our stage, our production, our control, and we're lucky enough to bring three of our favorite bands along with us, it's going to be fucking massive!" Machine Head have also decided to do things a little differently for the fans this time around and will be playing two or more intimate shows in 3,000 - 4,000 seat venues instead of the massive arena shows fans have grown accustomed to. Adds bassist Adam Duce, "Having done arenas now since The Black Crusade as well as the Metallica and Slipknot tours, we thought it would be killer to give the fans a chance to have a couple different setlists, and mix things up a bit. It's gonna be fun for us to see which gems we dig up!"

Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta says, "Machine Head and Hatebreed on the same stages across Europe?!?! This will be the heaviest and most pit-inducing tour of 2010. Make no mistake, if you miss this show, I feel sorry for you!" Brandan Schieppati, vocalist for Bleeding Through says, "Machine Head is a band we have all looked up to for years. We consider it an honor to share the stage with our friends in Machine Head. This will be amazing!" And Eddie Shall Perish from heavy up-and-comers All Shall Perish adds "This tour will be legendary! We are beyond honored to be a part of this epic event, these bands have all been huge influences to our music and our devotion to this scene. Machine Head are hometown heroes and Robb Flynn has been championing our new album all over the world and we couldn't be more thankful to Machine Head for wanting us to be on this insane tour! We also can't wait to destroy Europe with all our friends in Hatebreed and Bleeding Through! Fuck yeah, this tour kills!"

The Black Procession will mark the end of the touring cycle for The Blackening, making it the ABSOLUTE last chance you'll have to catch Machine Head live before they hunker down to write their next album! So grab your tickets early, because you know you don't want to miss this show!

January

23 - Germany, Stuttgart - Schleyerhalle
25 - Germany, Offenbach - Stadhalle
26 - Germany, Hamburg - Grosse Freiheit
29 - Norway, Oslo - Rockefeller
30 - Sweden, Stockholm - Arenan

February

3 - Denmark, Copenhagen - Tap 1
4 - Holland, Amsterdam - Heineken Music Hall
5 - Belgium, Brussels - Forest National
6 - France, Paris - Zenith
8 - Switzerland, Zurich - Volkshaus / Sportznetrum
9 - Italy, Milan - Alcatraz
10 - Austria, Vienna - Gasometer
12 - Germany, Munich - Zenith
13 - Germany, Leipzig - Haus Avensee
14 - Germany, Koln - Palladium
16 - UK, Plymouth - Pavilion
18 - UK, London - Academy Brixton
21 - UK, Birmingham - Academy Birmingham
23 - UK, Glasgow - Academy Glasgow
26 - UK, Manchester - Manchester Apollo