DAMN THE MACHINE

"Damn the Machine" is the self-titled debut full-length studio album by US heavy rock/metal act Damn the Machine. The album was released through A&M Records in June 1993. Damn the Machine was founded by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and includes his brother Mark on drums. Dave Clemmons on vocals/guitar, and David Randi on bass completes the lineup. Chris Poland released a solo album in 1990, but apparently missed playing in a band constellation and thus Damn the Machine was born.

The music on the album is a sophisticated type of heavy rock/metal with slight jazz rock/fusion leanings. The latter stylistic element is rather subdued though, and only heard on occasion. While I initially expected the album to be loaded with instrumental music, that's actually far from the truth, as the music on the album features vocals. The instrumental parts (parts without vocals) are usually sections with guitar solos, so overall the music is pretty regular vers/chorus structured heavy rock/metal. It's generally well written and relatively catchy, but honestly I only remember very few tracks once the album has ended, and that of course a minor issue, even though the album is highly enjoyable while it plays. There's an almost easy listening and accessible way about the music, even though it occasionally rocks pretty hard.

The musicianship is strong on all posts, although Dave Clemmons hasn't got the most remarkable or distinct sounding voice. There's nothing wrong with his skills though, and his performance on this album is passionate and suits the music well. The rest of the band are very well playing too, and not surprisingly some of the highlights are Chris Poland's guitar solos, but also the rather intriguing rhythm section, and the general guitar work on the album.

While Damn the Machine generally sounds very little like Megadeth, I still think there are some features on the album that remind me of the most soft and rock oriented tracks by the Dave Mustaine led act. The sound production which is clear, organic, and detailed also lead my thoughts in the direction of the early 90s releases by Megadeth.

Upon conclusion "Damn the Machine" is a quality release and a relatively great debut album by Damn the Machine. The band would be short lived though and this would be their only album release before disbanding. They probably lacked that last punch and memorability in their songwriting to instantly succeed, but there is definitely potential here for something greater. Although that was never to happen a 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved for this album.

3.5 stars really

Damn the machine is an american prog metal band formed by ex Megadeth member Chris Poland in 1991. Only one album saw the light in 1993 self titled and then they disbanded a couple of years later going under the radar of prog listners. This album is pretty great, imagine something between Fates Warning same era with some hints of Queensryche , the arrangements has that typical american feel all over. Pieces are shot, all are under 6 min, but to my ears are good for sure, Chris Poland really know to handle the instrumen and has some good guitr parts specially on first half of the album. Dave Clemmons has an ok voice for this type of music and I like it here. "The Mission" and "Fall Of Order" are solid tunes, I think this album worth a far more recognition from prog metal fans, even is far from excellent, but is still a damn fine album old school type of prog metal. Chris Poland will join jazz fusion band Ohm: later on and done a great job there. 3 solid stars rounded to 3.5 for this unknown prog metal album.

ACHTUNG!This album is a forgotten jewel of one of the most original and talented guitar players Mr CHRIS POLAND,former and sometimes even actual guitar player of metal giant MEGADETH!This album is his first try with a band after leaving MEGADETH and it;'s very surprising compared to his previous activity-MEGADETH ,but no surprising at all compared to what will fallow shortly -the ultimate fusion trio OHM!Definitelly ,we feel here a mix between old and muscled rhythms from MEGADETH and some ideas about the new direction that soon will take a concrete form in OHM!In fact here,Poland was in search for a new musical direction,that's for sure!Helped by his talented bro on drums he has 2 DAVE with him on board CLEMMONS the excellent vocalist and oooops..DAVID RANDY-the bass player with whom he will release some interesting tracks on the LOST TRAX album!DAMN THE MACHINE is an interesting band from the point of view of the musical direction,it's hard to compare them with other bands in the same register!Only a few reminiscent ideas from MEGADETH,but that's less and less obvious!POLAND'S intense playing is evident on some tracks but we feel a change of ideas and some midtempo songs like HONOUR or SILENCE where there are new territories to be explored!The album is fully vocal and it's very,very well produced with an excellent sound and dynamic!Especially the bass sound is impressing,because the typical sound of Poland's guitar is wellknown and particular!On this album POLAND was focused on composition,pretty short tracks,but excellent structured and builded,and that proves when we hear the album,that in MEGADETH he was a serious composer,not only Mr Dictator Mustaine! Overall a very inspired album,very diverse and full of mature compositions played by top musicians!One more word about DAVE CLEMMONS-the vocalist who is simply perfect here-a very pleasant vocal register and perfectly fit to the music!4,5 STARS to an original piece of valuable music!

The performance that Chris Poland had left for the album of Megadeth was indeed splendid. It was a request of Gar Samuelson of the drum player of Megadeth at that time that Chris Poland originally participated in Megadeth. However, Megadeth has been mutually dismissed as a result as for Gar and Chris.

Chris Poland from which the band is dismissed announces "Return To Metalopolis" of Solo Album in 1990. It is a well-known fact that Chris Poland and above-mentioned Gar Samuelson were well versed in Jazz/Fusion. The performance that Chris Poland had done in the album of Megadeth might have worked with an original idea and the theory that other guitarists had not already done. There might at least have been exactly an element of Jazz/Fusion in the root of Chris Poland.

This band was formed to 1991 at time when Hard Rock/Heavy Metal had joined the mainstream exactly. Drum player's Mark Poland is younger brother of Chris. It is said that Mark Poland listens to musicians such as Lenny White and Bill Bruford well and was influenced. It is said that Bass player's David Randi is an introduction of David Ellefson of Megadeth at that time. It might be a point that Chris Poland should make a special mention of Megadeth and the fact with such an exchange after the keep away from. And, Dave Clemmons of Vocal was a member who had been elected by the audition. The member is talking that the song of Dave Clemmons elected from a lot of demo tapes was suitable for the band.

And, Brian Malouf has been appointed by the producer. Brian Malouf is a person known on business of Pearl Jam and Queen, etc.And, all the techniques of a live recording have been appointed for the recording of this album. The point to make to the debut album of the band and to have taken the recording by live might show that it had good work by production, the technology of the band, and the ability very. Complex development of rhythm in close relation to elements of Heavy Metal such as "The Mission" and "Fall Of Order" and processing of composition. Solo of the guitar might be indeed unique. "Honor" will be reminiscent of the element of Metallica. And, the development of a glossy guitar to a heavy flow in "Lonesome God" and a complex rhythm might be also splendid. "Patriot" aims at and development where fast and slow overflows and an active melody aim at the differentiation with the music of other bands. They can splendidly perform the part of the ballade of "Silence". Especially, Solo of the guitar of Chris Poland is performed in the shape that a moving part and a technical part unify. It is a tune with development that the development of "Russians" is exactly reminiscent of initial Megadeth, too. "Humans" to which the rhythm of the shuffle is taken is indeed cool.

This band might have never become the main current of Heavy Metal and Thrash Metal. However, their technology and originality might be the parts that do not exist in other bands. It might be very regrettable that their works ended only with this album.

Historical CD for Chris Poland and Prog Metal Librarians

I really like Chris Poland. His work on Megadeth's Peace Sells is superb, IMO tastier than anything shredder Marty Friedman did with the band. Damn the Machine was a project Poland created after his departure from Megadeth, along with his brother Mark on drums, Dave Clemmons on vocals and guitars, and David Randi on bass. The single CD they produced sounds very much like Dream Theater with more jazz, less shredding, and less complex rhythms. Clemmons sounds very much like Labrie with the cheese turned down a bit.

From today's perspective, this disc seems like yet another DT clone. In fact, it is more likely the band influenced DT than the other way around, as DtM opened for DT during the Images and Words tour. The albums came out the same year and Poland was much more experienced on the big stage than any of the members of DT at that point. DT's subsequent album incorporates heavier elements and the riffs definitely have moved in the direction of Poland's, with more open space and syncopation.

There are some great musical ideas on this disc. "On with the Dream" and "Russians" have some interesting clean guitar ideas, showing Poland's jazz influence which he will later pursue to great effect in the trio Ohm:. The riffing is good, fairly typical of prog metal in general, and the lyrics are intelligently political. The guitars sound great, one each hard left and hard right. In metal style, they play in unison for a "big stereo" sound during much of the riffing, but then split to complement each other. Poland's soloing is tasty and frankly quite restrained. To really experience his monster talent, the first Ohm: album is a better starting place.

The biggest problem with the album is lack of memorable melodies and a little too much polish. This is rock and it doesn't seem very risky. I keep waiting for a truly great song to champion the album, and it never comes. (On with the Dream comes closest.) While DT is often criticized for being over-the-top, it is exactly those extreme elements that have kept them alive, and why they (deservedly) emerged while this band (with at least equal talent) dissolved. Poland went on to jazz-fusion which suits his playing better than any of his metal projects, and DT went on to lead metal through the dark days of the mid 90's through its resurgence now.

This is a 2.5 album, which I'll round up out of respect for Poland. Solid prog metal from the early days.