Machine Head's sixth studio album, titled "The Blackening", was released in North America on March 27, 2007. It entered the "Billboard" 200 at number 53, the highest charting position for the band at that time, with first-week sales of 15,000. It also made the top 20 in several European countries. Robb Flynn stated during an interview that the band are fans of Rush and received a great deal of influence from their album "A Farewell to Kings" while creating "The Blackening".