Customer Reviews

Damn the Machine

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those uninformed, Damn the Machine was the painfully short-lived act formed by Chris Poland sometime after his departure from Megadeth. One of the obvious reasons that many were probably turned away from the band's quirky music was because it is certainly not metal, despite what Poland's work in Megadeth might have led many to assume at the time. Released in 1992, Damn the Machine's debut record would also be their last. Despite its unique fusion of hard rock and jazz with a few progressive and metal trappings, the band received little support from the label and was dropped not long after the record's release, breaking up shortly thereafter. The disc remains an overlooked classic, however, as exemplified by the stunning musicianship, inimitable tones, and curious structures. Be warned that the vocals can take some getting used to. Admittedly when I first heard the band I had a hard time with the vocals myself, but with time I grew to love the vocals and the exceptional harmonies just as much as the music... so if the first listen doesn't quite click, give it some time to grow. I believe this album might have been reissued in recent years, though sadly it received about as much promotion as a well kept secret. Luckily for those that care, the CD should be rather easy to find for an inexpensive price, because people are idiots and don't appreciate great music when they hear it. Happy hunting...

listen to this album and decide for yourself. Should they have disappeared like they did or could they have taken music to a different level and direction. Chris Poland, formally of Megadeth, changed his style from metal to a progressive type music that will grab your attention and hold it throughout the whole album.

This album is best defined as a previous reviewer stated an "overlooked classic". Great songs, vocals and stellar musicianship, particularly the interplay between the two guitars and the vocal harmonies. Chris Poland's playing is ridiculously awesome, as always. I was lucky enough to see these guys live during what I'm sure was a very short tour given the amount of support they received from the label. If you're looking for Megadeth look elsewhere. If you're looking for great songs and original arrangements (think Rush meets late 80's/early 90's metal with a 3 digit IQ) then pick this album up if you can find it.

Hey, this album is one of the most underrated records among all heavy/prog metal records! Ok, Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth) and his band Damn The Machine, went on tour back in 1993 after this release and played live together with such stars like Dream Theater, but they have never got the success they have deserved. The quality of this debut is so steady and solid, so even today it sounds fresh and unused. Their playing and songwriting style was so unique that I can't find any similar bands to compare with. Imagine Megadeth with a bit bluesy/fusion guitars and melodic clean vocals. Probably only Fatal Opera, the band of another ex-Megadeth musician Gar Samuelson, had similar vision of the music. Anyway, this album contains some beautiful pearls of intelligent metal/rock music, like "Fall Of Order", "Honor", "On With The Dream" or "Silence". There was also a strange video for the cool opener "The Mission" that I saw about 10 years ago at MTV's "Headbanger's Ball". It's a shame that this is the only one release by this very talented band. A must, especially for Megadeth fans!

I picked this album up when it was first released nearly 15 years ago; it was lost in the shuffle of my life, and now it has come back to me via amazon. One thing is for certain- these guys were far ahead of their time.

I felt compelled to write my own review of this phenomenal album because of how amazing it is and how inspirational it has been in my life. First of all, this band is unabashedly political- and eerily prescient considering the current state of world events- and extremely intelligent. Damn The Machine challenges their audience to think for themselves and look at the facts laid bare by the history of our societies and the manipulative control and exertion of force used by their leaders. Although similiarly named as the "other", more successful politically-charged band, Rage Against The Machine, Damn The Machine is more mature, articulate, and much, much more progressive.

Musically, this album is actually better than I remember, standing right up there with some of the progressive, experimental classics in rock and metal. Megadeth alum Chris Poland is all over this album, with alternating angular rock/metal riffs combined with sophisticated and progressive neo-fusion playing and laced with sudden time changes and challenging compositions; and the production is very good, especially for it's time. I find this amazing and obscure gem stimulating both lyrically and musically- what more can you ask from an album? Most highly recommended...."Wealth and white man came/ Catastrophe again."

I saw DtM open up for Flotsam and Jetsam at the tiny, since demolished, Thirsty Whale near Chicago in 1993. I had never heard of them before seeing them live, and their on stage energy just blew me away. I quickly picked up the album and despite my friends' not hearing it the same way that I did, I practically wore out the tape. Sad that they fell off the map so quickly.

I bought this at used cd store while I was in Japan and all I could say, if you're really into Poland solo stuff, this is no exception, its perhaps more bluesy than his other stuff but its actually interesting to see Poland solo stuff with vocal. Guitar tone, bass, drum & overall sound production is great.

for all the people saying that this album was the reason Chris Poland gave up on metal, shut up. Chris Poland never really played metal . . . in Megadeth he primarily did solos, and those solos are jazz. Damn the machine, jazz solos. Circle jerks, kinda jazzy punk bass. Ohm: jazz. OHMPhrey, jazz. All his solo stuff, jazz.

First of all, the political lyrics on here really bug me, since I prefer to escape from reality when I listen to music, and the singer sometimes really annoys me. Luckily, I could care less for vocals or lyrics. My next problem is that there are too many songs on here, and some of the songs are quite strange. These problems don't wreck the album, but I do have to take a point off for that. On the plus side, you get GRRRREAT Chris Poland guitar solos, nearly radio friendly songs, and an album that grows on you with repeated listens. When I got this album, I didn't like it that much, but with time, I really got into the interesting song structures and nice music. Its almost like listening to Queensryche's "Promised Land" colliding with Metallica in their most experimental stages. A great album with a few flaws, but essential for those who like their metal a little quirky and progressive.

Sorry, can't get past the vocals - I was looking for something more like OHM, which is far superior to this! Go check it out!