Chris Poland
Encyclopedia
Chris Poland is an American
guitarist
, best known for being a former member of heavy metal
band Megadeth
.
on drums, Stu Samuelson on guitar, and Don Roper on saxophone.
, became the drummer of thrash metal band Megadeth
. Megadeth had been formed the previous year by Dave Mustaine
, the original lead guitarist of fellow thrash metal band Metallica
, who had been fired from the band because of his substance abuse. After seeing Samuelson perform live with Megadeth, Poland went backstage and suggested an impromptu audition as a lead guitarist. Poland thereafter became a full member of the band, along with Samuelson, Mustaine, and bass player David Ellefson
.
In 1985, Megadeth released their first album Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
, which showcased Poland's dynamic style of playing. However, he was arrested by Police for trying to score heroin, Poland left the band during the tour to support the album, and was replaced temporarily by guitarist Mike Albert. Poland later rejoined the band to record their second album Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
in 1986. The album was highly acclaimed critically for both its instrumental and lyrical complexity, and is today considered widely to be one of the defining records of thrash metal. Allmusic referred to Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? as "One of the most influential metal albums of its decade, and certainly one of the few truly definitive thrash albums".
Mustaine later referred to Poland as "an amazing guitar player—he can play circles around me". However, Poland and Samuelson's relations with Mustaine and Ellefson worsened, due in part to the former's increasing drug dependencies which led to the pair pawning the band's equipment to fund their drug habits.
In July 1987, a conflict arose between Mustaine and Poland regarding a t-shirt contract that Poland claimed to have been left out of. Poland quit the band in protest leading to an ongoing feud between the two musicians. For Megadeth's third album So Far, So Good... So What!
Mustaine wrote a song called "Liar
" about Poland's drug use and lifestyle. Mustaine would regularly dedicate it to Poland during live performances.
a solo heavy metal/jazz fusion album. Shortly beforehand, he agreed to record demos for Megadeth's fourth album, Rust in Peace
, but declined what would be the first of two offers to re-join the band permanently (in this instance partly because of his concentration on his solo album, and the fact that, since most of the album's music and arrangements had already been written, Poland felt that the scope for his input would be limited). Guitarist Marty Friedman joined Megadeth later that year, and adapted some of Poland's guitar solos for the release version of Rust in Peace, which would go on to be Megadeth's most critically praised album.
In the mid to late 1990s, Poland worked on other collaborative musical projects, including the progressive rock
band Damn the Machine
, with David Randi on bass, and Dave Clemmons as vocalist and co-guitarist. In 1993, the band released their eponymous debut album (on A and M Records), with strongly political lyrical content. They also released a promotional record, Silence, featuring covers of "I'd Love to Change the World" by blues-rock
band Ten Years After
, and "Cat Food" by progressive rock/jazz fusion band King Crimson
.
Upon Dave Clemmons' departure from the band, the remaining members recruited a new vocalist, John Skipp, and re-formed as Mumbo's Brain, recording Excerpts From The Book Of Mumbo in 1995. The band disbanded following the departures of David Randi, and John Skipp.
, as well as a solo compilation album Rare Trax. In 2007, he released Return to Metalopolis - Live, featuring a live performance of the titular album.
Poland is currently a member of the primarily jazz fusion band OHM
, formed in 2002, with Poland on guitar, Kofi Baker on drums and Robertino Pagliari on bass guitar. They released their self-titled debut album in 2003, followed by Amino Acid Flashback in 2005, and Circus of Sound in 2008. The band also released a live album in 2004, and a DVD, Live at the New Brookland Tavern, in 2006.
In 2003, Poland performed a solo on Purified from the Lamb of God
album As The Palaces Burn
. The following year, he contributed to Lamb of God's next album, Ashes of the Wake
, with a guitar solo on the album's instrumental title-track (beginning at 3:45 and ending at 4:15).
In a surprise turn in 2004, Dave Mustaine requested Poland to record guitar solos for the Megadeth
record The System Has Failed
, the first Megadeth album not to feature original bass player and founding member David Ellefson. Poland recorded the solos on a contractual basis, but did not re-join the band. Poland and Mustaine subsequently came into dispute with one another over payments relating to the album, however, they appear to have made amends once more as Poland began posting on the official Megadeth online message board.
In 2008, Poland appeared on Misty Mountain Hop: A Millennium Tribute to Led Zeppelin by heavy metal/hard rock
band Harry Slash & The Slashtones
. The following year, he recorded a track for the compilation record Guitars That Ate My Brain (which also includes a track by Guns N' Roses
' guitarist Bumblefoot
).
In 2009, Poland formed OHMPHREY, a side-project with Robby Pagliari of OHM, and Jake Cinninger, Kris Myers, and Joel Cummins of progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee
. OHMPHREY released debut album, OMPHREY (on Magna Carta Records) on May 19, 2009.
passages and wide intervallic
leaps.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, best known for being a former member of heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
.
Early career
Poland began playing the guitar in high school in Dunkirk, New York. He later replaced a former guitar instructor, Dick "Max" Maxfield, in the Cambridge, NY based rock/jazz band Welkin. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977, where from 1977 to 1982 he was the lead guitarist in the New Yorkers, a Jazz/Rock fusion band, with Robert Pagliari on fretless bass, Gar SamuelsonGar Samuelson
Gary C. "Gar" Samuelson was a drummer for thrash metal band Megadeth, working in it from 1984–1987.-Biography:Little is known about Samuelson before he joined Megadeth...
on drums, Stu Samuelson on guitar, and Don Roper on saxophone.
Megadeth
In 1984, Poland's bandmate from the New Yorkers, Gar SamuelsonGar Samuelson
Gary C. "Gar" Samuelson was a drummer for thrash metal band Megadeth, working in it from 1984–1987.-Biography:Little is known about Samuelson before he joined Megadeth...
, became the drummer of thrash metal band Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. Megadeth had been formed the previous year by Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
, the original lead guitarist of fellow thrash metal band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, who had been fired from the band because of his substance abuse. After seeing Samuelson perform live with Megadeth, Poland went backstage and suggested an impromptu audition as a lead guitarist. Poland thereafter became a full member of the band, along with Samuelson, Mustaine, and bass player David Ellefson
David Ellefson
David Warren "Dave" Ellefson is a bassist and founding member of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He also goes by "Junior." He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona...
.
In 1985, Megadeth released their first album Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in June 1985 through Combat and Relativity Records. During the beginning of 1985, the band was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album, but this...
, which showcased Poland's dynamic style of playing. However, he was arrested by Police for trying to score heroin, Poland left the band during the tour to support the album, and was replaced temporarily by guitarist Mike Albert. Poland later rejoined the band to record their second album Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
-25th Anniversary 2-CD reissue:-25th Anniversary box set:Disc 5 contains both the original album, and the above listed 1987 show in hi-resolution audio....
in 1986. The album was highly acclaimed critically for both its instrumental and lyrical complexity, and is today considered widely to be one of the defining records of thrash metal. Allmusic referred to Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? as "One of the most influential metal albums of its decade, and certainly one of the few truly definitive thrash albums".
Mustaine later referred to Poland as "an amazing guitar player—he can play circles around me". However, Poland and Samuelson's relations with Mustaine and Ellefson worsened, due in part to the former's increasing drug dependencies which led to the pair pawning the band's equipment to fund their drug habits.
In July 1987, a conflict arose between Mustaine and Poland regarding a t-shirt contract that Poland claimed to have been left out of. Poland quit the band in protest leading to an ongoing feud between the two musicians. For Megadeth's third album So Far, So Good... So What!
So Far, So Good... So What!
- 2004 bonus tracks :† The intro makes use of a sample from The Ink Spots' 1941 song "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"- Personnel :- Charts :-RIAA Certifications:- External links :*...
Mustaine wrote a song called "Liar
Liar (Megadeth song)
Liar is a song by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, written by Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson. It is the fourth single from their third studio album, titled So Far, So Good... So What!, which was released on January 19, 1988. The lyrics of the song were inspired by Megadeth's former...
" about Poland's drug use and lifestyle. Mustaine would regularly dedicate it to Poland during live performances.
Post-Megadeth
After leaving Megadeth, Poland was treated successfully for substance abuse, and joined punk rock legends The Circle Jerks as a bass player. In 1990, he released Return to MetalopolisReturn to Metalopolis
Return to Metalopolis is the debut studio album by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, released in 1990 through Enigma Records; a remastered edition containing two bonus tracks was reissued through Lion Music in 2002.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
a solo heavy metal/jazz fusion album. Shortly beforehand, he agreed to record demos for Megadeth's fourth album, Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace
Rust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
, but declined what would be the first of two offers to re-join the band permanently (in this instance partly because of his concentration on his solo album, and the fact that, since most of the album's music and arrangements had already been written, Poland felt that the scope for his input would be limited). Guitarist Marty Friedman joined Megadeth later that year, and adapted some of Poland's guitar solos for the release version of Rust in Peace, which would go on to be Megadeth's most critically praised album.
In the mid to late 1990s, Poland worked on other collaborative musical projects, including the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Damn the Machine
Damn the Machine
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...
, with David Randi on bass, and Dave Clemmons as vocalist and co-guitarist. In 1993, the band released their eponymous debut album (on A and M Records), with strongly political lyrical content. They also released a promotional record, Silence, featuring covers of "I'd Love to Change the World" by blues-rock
Blues-rock
Blues rock is a hybrid musical genre combining bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended boogie jams with rock and roll styles. The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, piano, bass guitar and drum kit, with the electric guitar usually amplified through a...
band Ten Years After
Ten Years After
Ten Years After is an English blues-rock band, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, Ten Years After scored eight Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart...
, and "Cat Food" by progressive rock/jazz fusion band King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
.
Upon Dave Clemmons' departure from the band, the remaining members recruited a new vocalist, John Skipp, and re-formed as Mumbo's Brain, recording Excerpts From The Book Of Mumbo in 1995. The band disbanded following the departures of David Randi, and John Skipp.
2000s
In 2000, ten years after the release of Return to Metalopolis, Poland released his second solo album, Chasing the SunChasing the Sun (Chris Poland album)
- Personnel :* Chris Poland – electric guitar, production* Mark Poland – drums * "Mac Hine" – drum machine * David Eagle – drums * Koko Bermejo – drums...
, as well as a solo compilation album Rare Trax. In 2007, he released Return to Metalopolis - Live, featuring a live performance of the titular album.
Poland is currently a member of the primarily jazz fusion band OHM
Ohm (band)
Ohm: is a project formed by Chris Poland and Robertino Pagliari. The band was formed in 2002 and has released 3 LPs and a live album up to date.-Members:* Chris Poland - Guitar* Robertino Pagliari - Bass...
, formed in 2002, with Poland on guitar, Kofi Baker on drums and Robertino Pagliari on bass guitar. They released their self-titled debut album in 2003, followed by Amino Acid Flashback in 2005, and Circus of Sound in 2008. The band also released a live album in 2004, and a DVD, Live at the New Brookland Tavern, in 2006.
In 2003, Poland performed a solo on Purified from the Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
album As The Palaces Burn
As the Palaces Burn
As the Palaces Burn is the third studio album by American groove metal band Lamb Of God, released under Prosthetic Records in 2003. As the Palaces Burn received considerably more airplay than their previous effort, with three singles. The album was produced by Lamb of God and Devin Townsend...
. The following year, he contributed to Lamb of God's next album, Ashes of the Wake
Ashes of the Wake
Ashes of the Wake is the fourth studio album by American groove metal band Lamb Of God, released in 2004. The album debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,000 copies in its first-week and was rated by Guitar World as the 49th greatest Guitar Album of all Time...
, with a guitar solo on the album's instrumental title-track (beginning at 3:45 and ending at 4:15).
In a surprise turn in 2004, Dave Mustaine requested Poland to record guitar solos for the Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
record The System Has Failed
The System Has Failed
-Songs:* "Blackmail the Universe" has numerous quotes from the movie Thirteen Days, which was about the Cuban Missile Crisis.* "Die Dead Enough" was released as a single, and was originally set to be featured in the movie Saw, but it was not used for undisclosed reasons.* "The Scorpion" was...
, the first Megadeth album not to feature original bass player and founding member David Ellefson. Poland recorded the solos on a contractual basis, but did not re-join the band. Poland and Mustaine subsequently came into dispute with one another over payments relating to the album, however, they appear to have made amends once more as Poland began posting on the official Megadeth online message board.
In 2008, Poland appeared on Misty Mountain Hop: A Millennium Tribute to Led Zeppelin by heavy metal/hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Harry Slash & The Slashtones
Harry Slash & The Slashtones
The Slashtones are an American musical group, formed in 1993 by New York native Harry Slash under the name "Harry & The Slashtones"...
. The following year, he recorded a track for the compilation record Guitars That Ate My Brain (which also includes a track by Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
' guitarist Bumblefoot
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Ronald Jay Blumenthal , better known by his stage name Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, is a Jewish-American guitarist, songwriter, recording artist and producer. Thal adopted the name Bumblefoot from the bacterial infection of the same name, which he learned about while helping his wife review for her...
).
In 2009, Poland formed OHMPHREY, a side-project with Robby Pagliari of OHM, and Jake Cinninger, Kris Myers, and Joel Cummins of progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey's McGee is an American progressive rock jam band based in Chicago whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" ....
. OHMPHREY released debut album, OMPHREY (on Magna Carta Records) on May 19, 2009.
Playing style
Poland has a severed tendon on the index finger on his fret hand, which allows him to stretch unusually far with his finger. He has partially attributed the greater flexibility that this affords him to the evolution of his signature guitar playing style, defined by smoothly phrasedPhrase (music)
In music and music theory, phrase and phrasing are concepts and practices related to grouping consecutive melodic notes, both in their composition and performance...
passages and wide intervallic
Interval (music)
In music theory, an interval is a combination of two notes, or the ratio between their frequencies. Two-note combinations are also called dyads...
leaps.
Solo albums
- 1990: Return to MetalopolisReturn to MetalopolisReturn to Metalopolis is the debut studio album by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, released in 1990 through Enigma Records; a remastered edition containing two bonus tracks was reissued through Lion Music in 2002.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
- 2000: Chasing the SunChasing the Sun (Chris Poland album)- Personnel :* Chris Poland – electric guitar, production* Mark Poland – drums * "Mac Hine" – drum machine * David Eagle – drums * Koko Bermejo – drums...
- 2000: Rare Trax (compilation)
- 2007: Return to Metalopolis Live (live)
With Megadeth
- 1985: Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in June 1985 through Combat and Relativity Records. During the beginning of 1985, the band was given $8,000 by Combat Records to record and produce their debut album, but this...
- 1986: Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?-25th Anniversary 2-CD reissue:-25th Anniversary box set:Disc 5 contains both the original album, and the above listed 1987 show in hi-resolution audio....
- 1990: Rust in PeaceRust in PeaceRust in Peace is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. Released on September 24, 1990, it was the third Megadeth album distributed through Capitol Records. The album was the band's only collaboration with record producer Mike Clink who was the first producer to...
(Poland's solos appear on the demo recordings of "Holy Wars... The Punishment DueHoly Wars... The Punishment Due"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" is the opening track of heavy metal band Megadeth's 1990 album Rust in Peace.The song has an unusual structure, shifting at 2:26 after an acoustic bridge by Marty Friedman to a different, slower and heavier section called "The Punishment Due", before speeding up...
", "Take No Prisoners", and "Rust in Peace... Polaris", which were released as bonus tracks on the 2004 remaster) - 2000: Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth YearsCapitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years-Track listing:-Hidden track :-Bonus track :-Charts:AlbumSingles...
(compilation) - 2004: The System Has FailedThe System Has Failed-Songs:* "Blackmail the Universe" has numerous quotes from the movie Thirteen Days, which was about the Cuban Missile Crisis.* "Die Dead Enough" was released as a single, and was originally set to be featured in the movie Saw, but it was not used for undisclosed reasons.* "The Scorpion" was...
- 2005: Greatest Hits: Back to the StartGreatest Hits: Back to the StartGreatest Hits: Back to the Start is the second greatest hits album by Megadeth. It was released in 2005 by Capitol Records. The tracklist for Back to the Start was largely the result of a poll on their official website, in which tens of thousands of fans voted for their favorite tracks from the...
(compilation) - 2007: WarchestWarchestWarchest is a box set from the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Warchest features five discs and features studio tracks, demos and live recordings of a number of the band's songs from its previous eleven studio albums and rarities EP...
(compilation) - 2008: Anthology: Set the World AfireAnthology: Set the World Afire-Disc 1:-Disc 2:-Personnel:*Dave Mustaine - lead vocals and lead and rhythm guitar on all tracks*Marty Friedman - guitar on tracks 10–17 disc one and 1–13 and 16–18 disc two*Chris Poland - guitar on tracks 1–5 on disc one...
(compilation)
With OHM
- 2003: OHM
- 2004: "Live" On KPFK 90.7 FM
- 2005: Amino Acid Flashback
- 2006: Live at the New Brookland Tavern (DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
) - 2008: Circus of Sound (2008)
Other album appearances
- 2009: Guitars That Ate My Brain
- 2009: Misty Mountain Hop: A Millennium Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Guitars
- Yamaha SBG 2000 x 3 (2 Hollow Body)
- Yamaha AES 800
- Yamaha SG2200
- Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 during the Return To Metalopolis and early Damn The Machine eras
- B.C. Rich Custom Eagle (pre-Megadeth)
- B.C. Rich WarlockB.C. Rich WarlockThe B.C. Rich Warlock is both an electric guitar and bass guitar made by B.C. Rich. It features a distinct jagged shape and two humbucker pickups...
- B.C. Rich Bich
- B.C. Rich STiii
- Jackson Randy RhoadsJackson Randy RhoadsThe Jackson Randy Rhoads is an iconic model of electric guitar, originally commissioned by guitarist Randy Rhoads and produced by Jackson Guitars....
Amplifiers
- Bogner Fish Pre Amp
- Mosvalve 500 x 4
- Mesa/Boogie 395
- Mesa/Boogie Strategy 400
- Demeter Inverter
- Eminence Speakers
- Carvin Steve Vai 2x12 cabinets
- Earcandy Buzzbomb 2x12 cabinets