Former MEGADETH Guitarist CHRIS POLAND Releases New Jazz Album, ‘Resistance’

Former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland has released "Resistance", a deep journey into the idiom of jazz from a composer and player with an edge. Poland's compositions are like narrations of all the complexities of life, both beauty and challenge are equally embraced in the process.

"Resistance" was produced by Poland and Jim Gifford. It was engineered, mixed and mastered by Matt Shultz, and it was recorded and mixed at Narwhal Studios and Music Garage in Chicago, Illinois.

Joining Poland on the LP is a core team of Bill Dickens (bass), David Taylor (guitar) and Jim Gifford (drums), along with cameo guests Kevin Woods Guin (bass), Albert Caldwell (organ) and vocalists Rhymefest and Felicia Patton.

Poland was a member of MEGADETH from 1984 to 1987, during which time he performed on the band's classic albums "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" and "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" He is also a featured soloist on the group's 2004 album, "The System Has Failed".

After his departure from MEGADETH, Poland went on to release his classic 1990 solo debut "Return To Metalopolis", celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020 with a reissue from MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson's Combat Records, as well as DAMN THE MACHINE, OHM: (which would later include late former MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza), and several other acts that perfectly showcased his distinct jazz-infused thrash/rock style, as well as performing on albums for LAMB OF GOD, TOURNIQUET, and more.

In 2019, Poland reunited with Ellefson, making a guest appearance on David's "Sleeping Giants" album. Poland later joined Ellefson and the "Sleeping Giants" band live in Fullerton, California.

In 2020, Poland was inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame at a star-studded induction ceremony in Anaheim, California.

Chris Poland is an American jazz fusion guitarist and creator/co-founder of the the Heavy Jazz/Rock/Fusion power trio OHM. Poland started playing from high school in New York, and later replaced Richard “Max” Maxfield in the rock/jazz group Welkin. In 1977, he moved to Los Angeles and formed the The New Yorkers with Robertino 'Pag' Pagliari, Gar Samuelson and Stu Samuelson. Poland and Gar Samuelson were then recruited by Megadeth and were crucial members of their early line-up. Poland worked on their first two albums “Killing is my Business...and Business is Good!” and “Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?” Poland quit Megadeth shortly after the second album. After Megadeth, Poland went on to perform as a bass player for the Circle Jerks on a whim and released two solo albums, “Return to Metalopolis” and “Chasing the Sun,” along with “Rare Tax,” a companion album. Once again, Chris would be asked to be the founding lead guitarist for another band - ‘Damn the Machine’. The band would release an album and go on a world tour. In 1997, Poland and Pagliari came together once again to form OHM with Koko Bermejo on the drums. They have since worked with drumming legends like Kofi Baker, David Eagle, and Nick Menza, and are going strong. In 2009, Poland and Pagliari created an offshoot of OHM known as OHMphrey along with Jake Cinniger, Joel Cummins, and Kris Meyers.

Chris has appeared on Ropeadope recordings with Saxophonist Frank Catalano, and now he is set to release Resistance; a deep journey into the idiom of Jazz from a composer and player with an edge. Poland’s compositions are like narrations of all the complexities of life, both beauty and challenge are equally embraced in the process.

Check out Bill playing a bass solo on the song "Battle Bots" (03:11 - 03:32) with featured Oscar & Grammy award winner rapper Rhymefest (vocals).