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, David Judson Clemmons, Jud, The Fullbliss, OHM
Website	http://www.damnthemachine.com
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.

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, Dave 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 and 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".

Prior to recording the album, the band had cut an 18-song live in-studio demo which included a half dozen songs that didn't make the album, namely "Fear of Fear", "Welcome the Red", "New World Revival", "The Price", "Legend Maker", and "Heavens Gate". Another 6 songs - "No Rest", "Blinder Than I", "Wall", "Brains", "Bleed" and "Decay" - were demoed in 1995 prior to Clemmons leaving the band.