'Machina/The Machines Of God' and 'Machina II/The Friends & Enemies Of Modern Music' were released seven months apart in 2000

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has revealed plans to reissue the band’s ‘Machina’ albums as “originally conceived”.

‘Machina/The Machines Of God’ was released in February 2000 and was followed up in September of that year by ‘Machina II/The Friends & Enemies Of Modern Music’.'

Corgan had originally wanted to release the two records together but Virgin Records, the band’s label at the time, refused this idea after previous record ‘Adore’ had sold fewer copies than expected. Only 25 copies of ‘Machina II’ were made, with recipients told to share the album online for free.

Now, in a recent Q&A session on his Instagram Story, the frontman has confirmed he wants to reissue both records together. Asked if Smashing Pumpkins would ever put out another box set, he replied: “Machina box is next.”

Another fan asked: “With all the talk of the Machina reissue will there be a MII reissue as well or will it be one huge reissue?”

Corgan responded: “The albums will be released together as originally conceived.” He added that ‘Machina II’ was “unfinished” when it was released and that the record would arrive on streaming services in the future.

Back in 2011, the band announced the two records would be reissued together for the first time in 2013 as part of a plan to reissue remastered versions of their back catalogue. However, the release never came to fruition.

Smashing Pumpkins are due to perform a one-off show in London next month as part of their classic line-up “reunion”. The Shiny And Oh So Bright shows, which kicked off in the US in July, see Corgan perform with guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin for the first time since 2000.

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