The End Machine - The Quantum Phase

Initially comprised of three-fourths of the classic Dokken lineup with guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mick Brown who were then joined by vocalist Robert Mason, The End Machine hit the scene with their eponymous debut in 2018.  When Brown decided to put down his sticks and step away from music, the drum seat was filled by his younger brother Steve who played on their 2021 release Phase2.  The Quantum Phase, their latest release, finds the band once again with a new member with Girish Pradhan (Girish And The Chronicles, Joel Hoekstra's 13) taking over on lead vocals.  While Mason is a great vocalist and those first two albums were outstanding, Pradham's vocals are more in the vein of Ray Gillen, which adds a whole new element to their sound.  “Black Hole Extinction”, the opening track, kicks things off with a super heavy galloping riff and a spoken vocal that leads into a tune that is heavy, with Pradhan’s powerhouse vocals and hard driving percussion, but still has a strong melodic side.  Another heavier rocker is up next with the single “Silent Winter”, which also has some great harmony vocals.  “Killer Of The Night” is a little more on the melodic side and is the first of several tracks reminiscent of early Dokken with a Lynch solo that will definitely take you back.  Other tracks with that early Dokken sound include “Hunted”, a midtempo tune where it’s especially evident in the chorus and Lynch’s guitar licks, and the slower “Burning Man”.  “Hell or Highwater” starts off with more driving guitar and a wail from Pradham and never lets up, followed by “Stand Up”, a straight-ahead rocker that brings to mind Tesla.  The bluesier groove of “Shattered Glass Heart”, change things up a bit and sounds a lot like Badlands and really showcases Pradham’s vocals.  As to be expected, every song here has a Lynch guitar solo that never fails to impress, and while they almost always sound like a George Lynch solo should, “Time” is an interesting solid midtempo rocker where the guitars instead have a very strong Eddie Van Halen sound. After a heavy, kind of sludgy opening, “Stranger In The Mirror’ shifts into a very eighties midtempo track that is a little generic and my least favorite song here.  Thankfully get right back on track with the muscular, high energy “Into The Blazing Sun”, a shorter, straight to the point cut that closes the album perfectly.  

(Frontiers Music)