Ohm: - Ohm:

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Lion Music
Catalog Number: LMC 069
Format: CD
Total Time: 54:01:00

In 1984, a newly formed metal band hires guitarist Chris Poland for their debut album Killing Is My Business ... And Business Is Good!. Yes, you have guessed it right; Megadeth. Formed by Dave Mustaine, this guitarist, Chris Poland, played the lead guitars on the first two albums. Fired by Megadeth, Chris then returns to the music he played before joining Dave Mustaine and company: fusion. After some attempts to start up a new band, he releases in 1990 the critically acclaimed instrumental album Return To Metalopolis. He releases two more instrumental albums and then teams up with his youthful friend Robertino Pagliari (bass) and David Eagle (drums) to form OHM:, who have now released their debut, self-titled album.

The music of OHM: can be described as strong with emotive melodies and incorporating the rock / metal influences of the band members, brought together in a fusion rock fashion. The first track, "Peanut Buddah," sounds as if you are listening to Joe Satriani, which can be a compliment, as the guitar parts are played first class. But from then on the band shows their own sound: groovy songs with a strong rhythm foundation and virtuoso guitar play. Most of the songs have a laid back tempo, but in "Iguana," "Search For The Suicide Kings" and the closing track "OHMage," the tempo goes up a bit, whereas "Search For The Suicide Kings" even has some psychedelic influences in it. No keyboards at all on the album, but the three gents keep it interesting enough, with their superb play. The guitar solos are excellent and the rock / metal influences in the songs lift it just above an average fusion album.

The self-titled debut album is well played and well produced, but did not do much for me. I missed the sparkle in the songs, as most of the songs had the same laid back tempo. Hopefully a follow up will be a bit more diverse and maybe have some more rock / metal influences to make it a bit more interesting to listen to. If you like fusion orientated instrumental music, I'd say go for it. If you prefer more metal, I recommend you find Return To Metalopolis, which shows a completely different Chris Poland, one which I prefer.

Similar bands: Taboo Voodoo, Joe Satriani

[This review originally appeared June 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Peanut Buddha (3:33) / Where's My Hat? (3:10) / Id (3:29) / Love Song (4:28) / Came To Believe (3:06) / Between Us (3:57) / Iguana (3:13) / Sister Cheryl (4:36) / Brandenburg Gate (5:36) / Bastille Day (4:05) / The Mountain (4:19) / Search For The Suicide King (5:50) / OHMage (4:24)

Musicians:
Chris Poland - guitars
Robert Pagliari - bass
David Eagle - drums

Discography:
OHM (2003)
Live On KPFK 90.7 FM (2004)
Amino Acid Flashback (2005)
Circus Of Sound (2008)

Genre: Fusion-Jazz Fusion

Origin US

Added: October 30th 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.chrispoland.com
Hits: 2517
Language: english