- advertisement -

THE END MACHINE
The Quantum Phase
Frontiers Music, Srl
https://www.facebook.com/TheEndMachine

2018 was the year of the self-titled debut by THE END MACHINE. The group featured DOKKEN alumni Mick Brown on drums, Jeff Pilson on bass, George Lynch on guitar, and Robert Mason (WARRANT) on vocals. The band's goal, which they achieved, was to bring back the classic DOKKEN sound in the modern era.

Mick Brown retired from drumming and was replaced by his brother Steve Brown for the release of 2021's Phase2. Their sophomore release brought the same energy, fervor, and bluesy-ness as its predecessor. In late 2022, it was announced that vocalist Robert Mason was replaced by Frontiers Music's latest go-to vocalist Girish Pradhan of GIRISH & THE CHRONICLES and JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13.

While it always ends up being 'a thing' among music fans when a band member is replaced, especially the singer, when THE END MACHINE released their first single "Silent Winter" from their upcoming album with Pradhan, it seemed to quell the potential haters. The Quantum Phase is the latest release by THE END MACHINE, and it was released on March 8, 2024.

There's something dark and ominous about the album's opening track "Black Hole Extinction". Girish adds a lot of melody and emotion in his vocal delivery. "Silent Winter" (video on KNAC.COM HERE) teases you a bit with a slow build. Once the distortion kicks in, so does the energy. Lynch is tearing through his riffs and licks, while Brown and Pilson maintain the groove. Lyrically, the doom and gloom continues.

"Killer of The Night" (video on KNAC.COM HERE) has a great ebb and flow to it. Sometimes powerful and in-your-face, other times subdued and melancholy. Lynch really lets the sparks fly during his solo. "Hell or High Water" displays the very best of what Girish Pradhan's vocals are capable of. He hits the highest of highs and is right in the melody pocket. The track has a bluesy twang and bounce to it.

THE END MACHINE slows things down with "Burning Man". Clean picked guitar strings and steady drums set the tone. Pradhan really gives it his all during the choruses. When I heard the glass break at the opening of "Shattered Glass Heart", I thought for sure "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was on his way. Jokes aside, the song is a great track with all of that DOKKEN-eque vibes you would expect.

"Time" bestows that age-old advice of living in the now with great multi-part harmonies, while "Stranger In The Mirror" reminds us that not being true to ourselves will have consequences in the end. The latter is dominated by Jeff Pilson's thumping bass lines and Steve Brown's driving drums.

Lyrically, The Quantum Phase does not exactly paint a rosy picture of mankind and the world around us, but there are glimmers of hope within their words. The music is a combination of blustering Rock and Roll and sludgy Blues. The addition of Girish Pradhan lights a spark under these road warriors, but it's too soon to tell if this version of THE END MACHINE is a flash in time or the next 'must listen to' supergroup.

3.9 Out Of 5.0