"Return
to Metalopolis" was the beginning of Chris
Poland’s solo career, after leaving
multi-platinum artists, Megadeth, in 1987.
The Return To Metalopolis disc has been
a cult classic for years, having been reissued
several times worldwide. Lion Music is proud
to share with you the only known live moments
on tape from the short-lived tour in support
of this classic release.
Recorded live in
1991 at the now defunct Mason Jar in Phoenix,
Arizona, Return to Metalopolis Live is a
chance for fans to see how this inventive
material translated over into a live situation.
The recording is as is and would be the
beginning of the line-up that progressed
into the band, Damn The Machine, who released
their self titled disc in 1993 on A&M
Records.
Listening to Return To Metalopolis
Live, shows how Chris’ playing has
evolved over the years, but it also shows
that even back then he was pushing the boundaries
of the guitar, with his trademark cutting
tone and style. In addition to a couple
of studio demo outtakes from past years,
we thought it would be cool to include of
OHM: performing a reworked version of the
Metalopolis classic, “Alexandria”.
This release is for the Chris Poland fans
that have been so supportive throughout
the years. We hope you enjoy!
Matt
Johnson (Metal Maniacs Magazine).
I was pretty young when Return To Metalopolis
came out, maybe 15 or 16. Back then, before
the internet, a lot of albums came out,
and unless you where lucky and spotted an
ad or a review in a magazine, you’d
never know it. One day, a friend of mine
put a cassette in the car player and said
“Guess who this is?” I listened
for a few minutes and said “Is it
Megadeth? Why aren’t there any vocals?”
Megadeth’s Peace Sells was, and remains,
my favourite metal album and while Chris
may not have written anything for that album,
you can hear his stamp on every song, and
I guess Dave Mustaine must have influenced
Chris a little bit too. Although I loved
his playing on those first two Megadeth
albums, my love affair with Chris Poland
really began with the Metalopolis album,
an album I still spin regularly.
In retrospect,
the album doesn’t really sound that
much like Megadeth; instead, it’s
a quintessential expression of the Chris
Poland sound, which shines through no matter
which genre he is exploring. As I’ve
grown older, my affection for his work and
appreciation for his talent have only increased;
through Damn The Machine, OHM, and his various
solo releases. The quality that truly sets
him apart from other “guitar hero”
types is that he is, first and foremost,
a songwriter. I never cottoned to the Shrapnel
school of metal guitar wankery, because
even the best of those releases tended to
be shallow frameworks built to support endless
solos, which themselves all blended together
in a neo-classical haze. Return To Metalopolis
is not that kind of release, and all things
considered, there aren’t even that
many solos, only song after song of breathtaking
riffs and brilliant arrangements.
When he
does take the lead, Chris plays with an
astounding lyricism. His solos become an
inextricable part of the song in the way
a vocal melody normally would. Not many
guitarists can play like that, nether mind
their dexterity or speed (neither of which
Chris can be said to lack, for the record).
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Chris
perform live several times, first with Damn
The Machine and then with OHM:, but unfortunately
his US tour in support of Metalopolis melted
down before it made it to my town. It’s
great to finally get to hear this music
played for a crowd, and with Dave Randi
on bass, you can start to hear how Chris
got from his first release as a leader in
Damn The Machine, who were formed not too
long after Chris, his brother, and Dave
got back from this aborted tour. For many
years Chris Poland has inspired me as a
guitarist, as a songwriter, and as a lover
of music.
Here’s hoping the next 20
years are just as inspiring!
» Chris Poland has a huge fan base
around the world thanks to his work with
Megadeth, Damn The Machine and solo projects.
» Return To Metalopolis is considered
a metal instrumental guitar classic.
» Album showcases at selected leading
website.
» Reviews and interviews in all leading
rock/metal press.
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