2022 just got a whole lot heavier with the announcement that Bay Area bruisers Machine Head and heavy metal Vikings Amon Amarth are teaming up for a massive European co-headline tour across September and October 2022, to include arena dates in the UK. The pair will be joined by The Halo Effect, a new Swedish band featuring former members of melodeath pioneers In Flames.
Tickets are available from 10am this Friday (November 5), with artist and venue pre-sales available from 10am Wednesday, November 3. Live Nation will also run a pre-sale from 10am on Thursday November 4.
Watch the tour trailer below.
Though the tour is a co-headline venture, Machine Head are set to close all UK dates. The tour represents the first time Amon Amarth will play a headline set in UK arenas, while for Machine Head this tour is their first time in UK arenas in over a decade, since 2011's The Eighth Plague tour.
Ever the heavy metal champion, Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn declares, “Head Cases and Lionhearts rejoice! It is with great pleasure we announce our triumphant return to your land to crush skulls, pummel circle pits, and deplete your beer supply!"
In the past decade Machine Head have scaled back on the usual tour structures, avoiding festivals and touring with a three-hour 'Evening With' format that allowed the band to play setlists stacked with rarities and fan-favourites.
Speaking about the quartet”s choice to return to arenas alongside Amon Amarth, Flynn says seemed excited at the prospect. "This absolute monster of a tour will kick off Autumn 2022 and will be the most devastating night of your metal lives. So get ready to raise your fists, raise your glasses, and bang your heads with us at the heaviest tour of the year! No one can resist the pure power of this epic alliance. We are coming for you!”
For their own part, Amon Amarth also offer a call to arms. “Vikings, we are called to raid again! They said it couldn’t be done, but epic measures must be taken in these turbulent times. Amon Amarth is joining forces with our long-time lion-hearted friends in the almighty Machine Head to carve a path of destruction across Europe next Autumn. Your heathen souls must witness the full display of production by both bands, for what will be the most monumental metal event of the year. Joining the plunder will be Sweden’s The Halo Effect who absolutely embody the spirit of the legendary Gothenburg sound. Keep an eye out for more news from us, as it’s almost time to grab your oars and row to victory. Stay safe, stay strong and raise your horns!”
Vikings and Lionhearts Tour Dates 2022
Sep 08: Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena UK
Sep 09: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena UK
Sep 10: London, The SSE Arena, Wembley UK
Sep 12: Manchester, AO Arena UK
Sep 13: Dublin, 3Arena IRE
Sep 16: Zurich, Hallenstadion SWI
Sep 17: Vienna, Stadthalle AU
Sep 18: Krakow, Tauron Arena POL
Sep 20: Tallinn, Saku Arena EST
Sep 21: Helsinki, Ice Hall FIN
Sep 23: Oslo, Spektrum NOR
Sep 24: Stockholm, Hovet SWE
Sep 26: Copenhagen, Forum Black Box DEN
Sep 27: Hamburg, Barclays Arena GER
Sep 28: Frankenfurt, Festhalle GER
Sep 30: Oberhausen, König Pilsener Arena GER
Oct 01: Berlin, Velodrome GER
Oct 02: Amsterdam, Afas Live HOL
Oct 04: Milan, Lorenzini District ITA
Oct 06: Barcelona, Sant Jordi SPA
Oct 07: Madrid, Vistalegre SPA
Oct 08: La Coruna, Coliseum SPA
Oct 09: Lisbon, Campo Pequeno POR
Oct 12: Paris, Zenith FRA
Oct 14: Munich, Olympiahalle GER
Oct 15: Leipzig, Arena GER
Oct 16: Prague, Tipsport Arena CZE
Oct 18: Budapest, Barba Negra HUN
Oct 20: Esch Sur Alzette, Rockhal LUX
Oct 21: Brussels, Forest National BEL
Oct 22: Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle GER
