Empires rise and empires fall. All things must change, and all things must come to an end. But as they say, for every ending, there is also a beginning. And that is where Machine Head sits right now, one era having come to a close for the band, but another just opening up, spearheaded by the band's fifth studio album, Through The Ashes Of Empires. Less than 2 years ago, Machine Head was saying goodbye to the American branch of Roadrunner Records, unsure about their future in their own country. But the band has now come out of that experience stronger than ever, and Through The Ashes Of Empires, phenomenally successful throughout the rest of the world, now arrives in the U.S. on... Roadrunner Records. The American release of the album is the crowning achievement in an already dazzling run of events. Through The Ashes Of Empires stormed the album charts all over the world, debuting in the Top 50 in countries like Sweden, France, Austria, England (where it was #7 on the rock chart), Finland, and Germany (where it charted at #24). A triumphant, sold-out European tour followed, as the press acclaimed the album as "Album Of The Year" (Metal Hammer UK 2003 Critics Poll), "the best thing the band has ever recorded" (Kerrang!, AU.), and "classic Machine Head" (Total Guitar, UK).