CHRIS ALLEN
~ ROCK MACHINE ~
THE ARTIST & THE DISC
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Rock Machine is the sophomore effort (2nd) from Chris Allen.
One of the heaviest Instrumental Rock Shred CD's you'll ever hear. On
"Rock Machine" I hear a bigger, badder, leaner and meaner Chris Allen than
I heard on his previous release "Trouble On The Horizon". I also hear a real
maturity in his playing and a heavier progression in his compositions. Replacing
the mainstream rock styling of "Trouble On The Horizon" with a serious rock
based Shred CD. Stepping it up more than a couple of notches since then,
Chris establishes his place among the kings of extreme rock guitar , Stump,
Vai and Lynch. For you fans of independent guitarists, Chris is a combination
of Ken Steiger and Greg Rapaport. He's very melody conscious, with creative
compositions, and an aggression/attack factor that can only be described
as ferocious.
There's a certain cocky confidence, if not arrogance to Chris' playing
this time around. The title track "Rock Machine" is an epic seven minute
rock extravaganza complete with powerful mood swings and several style changes.
I liked the soundbytes of the small child in the song. They were perfectly
placed, and the innocence of the voice contrasts the ever present brutality,
shifting your mind set for just a second. Not content just to rock you, Chris
then puts the fear into you with the track "Fear The Unknown". A blistering,
forceful tune with a panic atmosphere and a huge presence, that explodes
right from the start and never lets up. A high adrenaline rock tune and a
deadly thrash tune in one! Chris then shifts into an equally heavy mode,
but with a more radio friendly sound with "All Systems Go", a showcase of
some exquisite heavy rock chops that rivals even the big names of the genre.
I also love the way he rocks the wah pedal on the solo, bringing a real dirty
rock sound to the absolutely smokin' shred soloing. Closing the CD is
"Ultramatik", a rock song that's just outside the mainstream box (ala Vai).
It's that small step outside the box that gives Ultramatik it's unique flavor.
Clearly a mainstream rocker, but with a jazz tint. I hear a little more attitude
in the solos on this track too. (might just be me?)
Playing that fine line between heavy rock and heavy metal, the
songs have that happy party rock feel with a powerful ominous (dark) sound.
Chris's songs are absolute brute force and downright vicious at times, sometimes
played at warp speeds with unbridled aggression and the delicate precision
of a surgeon. On his first CD Trouble On The Horizon Chris demonstrated his
immaculate technique and strong compositional skills, which you need before
attempting the kind of music found on Rock Machine. On Rock Machine he takes
all that, and adds a new beefed up attitude and a much more lead conscious
approach. It's like the "Trouble On The Horizon" CD was the creation of the
Frankenstein monster, the science, hard work, creativity. And on "Rock Machine"
the monster breaks loose and raises hell, showing the power created in an
unharnessed state.
Rock Machine is full of spit and blood aggressive metal (ala
Dimebag Darrel), melodic rock (ala J. Satch), melodic shred outside the box
(ala S. Vai), note density par extreme (ala J. Stump) and flesh melting rock
shred (ala G. Lynch). I really liked Chris' first CD, but you knew something
greater was still to come. But on "Rock Machine" this skilled player comes
of age in all areas, his playing (guitar and bass), writing (I still get
a couple of the melody's stuck in my head for days whenever I listen to the
CD and that's a very good thing), drum programming (devastating and intense)
and production (very detailed.....genuinely impressive).
the last word:
With tight, intricate compositions and a strong sense of melody, this skilled
technician/assailant takes rock to its boiling point!
"This isn't a guy who wants to simply entertain you. He wants to grab you
by the collar and thrash your head about the room for 21 minutes. And if
you're like me, you'll get right back in line to do it again.
A perfectly balanced cross between radio friendly rock and fight
music*
(*music that makes me want to run into the mosh pit and just start clothes
lining everyone....aaaarrrgggh)".
THE TRACKS
if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about
(and who does?)....check out the samples below.
And read my comments while listening to a streaming sample of all songs.
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required
Click
Here To Sample the CD
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TRACK
#1 "ROCK MACHINE" - The title
track and a rock tune of epics proportions with dark overtones, that's not
quite metal, but it is very Very Heavy Rock. At 7 minutes Chris has plenty
of time to bring you through a handful of styles and influences. Besides
the obvious rock/shred there's funk, blues and some very hot 60's psychedelia
wah action to die for ( my one weakness...alright, one of my weakness') Kickin'
your ass George Lynch style seems to be the prevalent influence. A punishing
thrash attitude drives this merciless heavy rocker. Starting off a clear
AOR song, quickly the thrash and metal influences start pouring in and it
just keeps picking up momentum until becoming an all out assault. Surrounded,
nowhere to run...but hey! who wants too! On Rock Machine Chris is way over
the top, way over the edge, way over the rainbow, you get it. The rock machine
is turned up to "11" on this track!
TRACK #2 "FEAR THE UNKNOWN" - A high octane rocker that
is beyond powerful, it's devastating. After Rock Machine I thought I'd heard
Chris at his hardest and deadliest. Until I heard "Fear The Unknown" that
is. A perfect name for this lethal track with a fear for your life tension.
Chris perfectly creates the feeling of panic/hysteria with a rhythm section
that'll beat you into oblivion with it's mean thrash like syncopations. A
very happy rock style lead drives this track. That is except when it joins
in with the rhythm section and quickly turns venomous. *True testimony: This
track (and a little volume) caused two of my pictures to fall off my bookshelf.
(obviously, I didn't learn the 1st time). I swear with the right volume and
the right amount of bass (#11) this track creates an impenetrable force field.
All joking aside this track will kick your ass. Then hang you on a coat hook
just to beat it some more! Gotta Love It Man!!!
TRACK #3 "ALL SYSTEMS GO" - A fantastic rock song with a very
radio friendly sound. Chris shows that he's just as much a formidable force
in the world of extreme rock guitar. Stepping out from under the darkness
for a hot, no make that molten rock style song with some off the scale rock
shredding. I realized on this track that Chris was a very aggressive player.
Not his styling, but the way he actually plays (assaults) the instrument.
I can just hear him biting into his guitar, squeezing the life out of it.
TRACK #4 "ULTRAMATIK" - A very funky rocker, kind of like Vai around
the flexible album with a taste of Jimi, featuring both solid rock solos
and heart stopping rock shred. On this track Chris creates a heavy song,
but with a very light feel. Incorporating some laid back relaxing parts beneath
and between the heavier theme giving this track a unique vibe. Almost a
Metal/Jazz feel within a rock format. (now I know I really lost you.) This
track clearly posses the Jeckyl/Hyde trait that I've written about in the
past. Oh! Yea!
VISIT
CHRIS'
OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE
contact Chris at imback@comcast.net
to purchase your copy
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