Yesterday Machine Head released a new single “Beyond The Pale” and internet went berserk with the main riff which sounds like a rip-off from Strapping Young Lad’s famous track “Love”. Check both the songs below and decide for yourself:

Now Devin Townsend and Robb Flynn have both taken to Twitter to discuss the accusations. Townsend spoke up first, via Twitter:

“People asking me about riff similarities: I don’t have an opinion really. I’ve written riffs my whole career that sound like something else.

“I’ve used whole themes from other albums, movies or soundtracks. Art is a collage of your experiences, you taking clippings and reassemble.

“Heres the best part about comparison of MH new song to ‘Love’ I basically ripped off the SYL chorus from this song:”

Here’s the song Devin is talking about:

Flynn responded in turn, also handling the situation like a mensch:

“Shout out to @dvntownsend for being so cool. The Riff Police pulled me over, I got a $300 infraction for that one!! Like Dime bag always used to tell me ‘we’re all just sharing riffs man’.”

Flynn later added:

“Got a lot of respect for you Devin, super talented musician, amazing producer (as the palaces burn production crushes all!)

“And while I would proudly admit that I stole a Riff from you… Was just a happy accident.

“Riff on brother!!”