Damn the Machine

Damn the Machine
Damn the Machine, 1993
Background information
Origin	United States
Genres	Progressive metal
Years active	1993
Labels	A&M Records
Associated acts	Megadeth, Jud, Fullbliss, David Judson Clemmons, Ohm
Past members
Chris Poland Mark Poland David Randi David Judson Clemmons

Damn the Machine was a short-lived progressive metal band founded by ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland.

History

After leaving Megadeth in 1987, guitarist Chris Poland recorded a solo album, Return to Metalopolis, in 1990. Three years later, he resurfaced with the group Damn the Machine (DTM), which included his brother Mark on drums, David Clemmons on vocals/guitar, and David Randi on bass. While the group were indeed heavy, their sound was slightly more progressive than Poland's previous band and solo work, perhaps more comparable to the likes of Queensrÿche or Fates Warning, though with a jazzier twist and more politically charged lyrics.

The band signed a deal with A&M Records in 1993, and their self-titled debut album was released the same year. The album was recorded and produced by Brian Malouf (known for his work with, among others, Pearl Jam, Queen, Extreme, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lisa Loeb and Jean-Luc Ponty). The band toured with Dream Theater in Europe, and toured in North America with Voivod, Flotsam & Jetsam, and Excel. The band also shot a music video for "The Mission" from their debut album. DTM also released a promotional CD-5 titled Silence, which featured covers of "I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After, and King Crimson's "Cat Food".

Aftermath

DTM was not widely embraced by the alternative-minded consumer, and receiving less and less support from A&M, their recording contract was canceled, which led to the band's premature demise soon thereafter. Dave Clemmons departed the group, and with a new singer the remaining members reformed as Mumbo's Brain (the latter of which can be heard on Chris Poland's solo release - Rare Trax from 2000).

Dave Clemmons later resurfaced with a band named Jud (and later formed The Fullbliss and released several solo albums), while Chris Poland went on to form the jazz-fusion trio Ohm, with whom he's released one live and two studio albums. Mark Poland has a musical project of his own, and Dave Randi now works for Rentrak Corp.

Discography

• Damn the Machine (album, 1993)
• Silence (promo single, 1993)
• Lonesome God (promo single, 1993)
• The Mission (promo single, 1993)

References

External links

• Damn the Machine
• Damn the Machine on Encyclopaedia Metallum
• Damn the Machine discography at MusicBrainz