A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a first feature, a second feature, and a bilayer adhesion structure. The first feature includes a first primary metal. The second feature includes an oxide region, and a mixed metal oxide adhesion layer that is adhered to the oxide region and provided on a surface of the second feature. The bilayer adhesion structure includes the mixed metal oxide adhesion layer of the second feature, and a metal adhesion layer. The metal adhesion layer is disposed between and adhered to the first feature and the mixed metal oxide adhesion layer of the second feature. The metal adhesion layer includes a second primary metal that is different than the first primary metal.