The veterans of the metal world, Machine Head, have been known for battling through the harsh life on the road. Especially the frontman Robb Flynn, but he always manage to soldier on. Besides the grooves that pierce Flynn’s ear every time he rocks out to a sold out show; there’s something else piercing his ear, an ear infection. Yet another health issue has arised during the tour and has made life on the road unbearable for the frontman.

First it was problems with his gall bladder, then issues with his stomach, but yet he keeps on keep’n on. What started out as a measly small head cold; quickly escalated into a painful ear infection. In the past, Flynn has had to deal with an ear infection where he would not be allowed onto a plane due to the change of air pressure which could cause his eardrum to burst. This time Flynn was determined to continue the tour as planned and tough out the unbearable pain his ear would give him. Their next stop would be to japan where they would have to take two flights; one to Kuala Lumpur then to japan.

With his left ear plugged and him knowing the risk of blowing out his eardrum, he continues in order to prevent the cancellation of the show. Taking off the runway with no problems, as they started to descend, Flynn knew something wasn’t right. In a video journal he stated that “I feel like screw drivers are piercing my ears.” During the descent the pressure in his ear built up. The pain sent him into shock  where he became unresponsive while on the plane. He became compulsive and his body was sent into a seizure. He would not be attended by medical attention until 20 minutes after it happened. After 45 minutes the doctors at the airport were able to revive him, and gave him the no fly pass to Tokyo. What none of them would know until 2 days later is that Flynn had ruptured his eardrum and burst a 1 millimeter hole in his eardrum. With the cancellation of the Tokyo show he would be able to go home and rest up. After taking some time off Flynn is now feeling better and Machine Head will continue their tour as planned.