Customer Reviews

Return to Metalopolis

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

it's nice to hear an instrumental metal album that consists of something other than some loser john petrucci wannabe (cough, rusty cooley, cough) sitting in his bedroom at his mom's house in front of his computer alternate picking the same tired scales that we've been subjected to for the past 20 years over pre-recorded drums.

chris completely destroys the competition with long flowing melodies, astonishing song structure, and his signature legato passages that make all those lame shredders look like they're running in slow-mo. his brother also proves to be a worthy drummer, as they compose some very cool syncopation between the guitars and drums. "the fall of babylon" is by far my favorite song, but this is honestly one of those rare discs that you can listen to all the way through and still want more. that being said, the two bonus tracks are not up to par with the rest of the cd, but they're cool to listen to once.

the bottom line: this is seriously the most overlooked instrumental metal album ever recorded. i've heard them all, and this is what they wish they could be.

I got into Chris Poland because I liked his guitar work on the two Megadeth records Killing Is My Buisness, and Peace Sells. When I heard this album I was blown away. I never knew how good he was. This album is a stunning piece of instumental guitar and I have heard it all. I have heard Vai, Satriani, Friedman, Becker, Vaughn, Yngwie, Clapton and many more. I have to say that Chris is my second favorite among that list only behind the guitar master Jason Becker. Chris has such a clean and beautiful style and this is a perfect complimation of his skill. The bonus tracks on this version are awesome as well, enpecially that 14 minute jam session. If you like instrumental guitar albums I cant imagine you not liking this. If you have not heard Chris Poland's Return To Metalopolis you are really missing out, buy it today.

***** - FIVE STARS
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I never realized how talented C. Poland was until I heard this. He is so much better than his days in Megadeth would allow, and here he let's loose. This is a highly melodic journey from start to finish, with crunching riffs underlying great solo's that are woven over the top of the riffs. His brother, M. Poland supplies impressive percussions that fit into this style perfectly. These two brothers are highly talented musicians....

To describe this, it's galloping riffs sound like early day Iron Maiden, and the solos remind me alot of guitarist J. Matheos and old-school Fates Warning, along with similarities to Coroner's Tommy T. Baron, which focuses on a soaring, bluesy feel....

No vocals, but you don't need them here, the music speaks for itself. All in all, making one incredible release. The production is also flawless. I can't wait to buy his entire collection. He's a wizard axeman...

Released in 1990 and still sounds fresh to me. Quality compositions utilizing the unlikely combo of thrash/jazz, this disc is every bit as good as anything Satriani and Vai had released, but this one barely got out of its cage. The emphasis is on the riff, the rhythm, and not really the leads. Solid drums from Mark Poland. I like this way better than Ohm, which has a no-direction, projecty feel. Buy now!

This album came out in 2002, but sounds good in 2009 -- I only now discovered Chris Poland and his Metalopolis instrumental outing. What a driving beat and pounding rhythm. The disc consists of Chris on Guitars and Bass and his brother on Drums -- they make a seamless duo effort. This album has been on my CD player either in my car (makes for great driving music) or home for the past several weeks. It seems I just can't get enough of it. I rate it excellent.

I didn't care for this disc when I borrowed it from a friend. But years later I listened to it and realized that I was judging it unfairly. The songs are nothing special, but you can hear his unique tone and style of play which separates him from everyone else.

chris poland started out recording with megadeth on the first two releases then showed everyone he had the talent of alex skolnick,joe satrioni,and countless other guitar gods but he did it slightly differently with a heavy thrash back ground rythem guitar track to give him the energetic boost and appearance that this was not just a guitar solo cd but a great guitarist playing som excellent song not just showing off(so to speak)

I got Chris Poland's Return to Metroplois because I'm a huge Megadeth fan, and the first two albums with Poland are by far my favorites. This Poland CD is good- as a guitarist I love his playing... but the CD doesn't blow me away. It's kind of like instrumental Megadeth without the edge. Without Dave Mustaine as a partner Poland obviously loses the lyrical/vocal input, but Mustaine's guitar playing also gives Megadeth a sense of reckless abandon. Poland is very by-the-book. I have to respect this CD, but it's not something I listen to a lot. I like EVERY Megadeth album better than this Chris Poland album. Chris Poland is a great guitar player, but that doesn't always translate into a great songwriter.