THE END MACHINE

Everyone, now,  is a supergroup, but, once in a while, there's a band that emerges that truly defines what it is to be a supergroup. One of those bands is THE END MACHINE, who are now on their third studio album, "The Quantum Phase".

Forming in 2018, the band brought together a bevy of talented and well-known rock musicians in George Lynch, Jeff Pilson, Steve Brown and WARRANT vocalist Robert Mason. Now, Mason has parted ways with the group, and they've brought new vocalist Girish Pradhan into the fold. Even with the change in lead vocalist, THE END MACHINE's sound remains intact, bringing to mind classic DOKKEN and TESLA with a modern twist.

"Black Hole Extension" kicks off "The Quantum Phase", and the riff-heavy number draws the listener in with a diabolic spoken word vocal intro preceding the song's explosive vocals. It's an apt introduction to Pradhan, as the song shows off his strong tenor and too-cool-for-school swagger. Pradhan brings to mind rock vocalists such as Steven Tyler or Phil Lewis with his raspy, powerful and slippery upper register.

What's exceptional about "The Quantum Phase" is how much variety is on this set. Following the anthemic "Black Hole Extension", the album launches into a totally different sound with "Silent Winter". The song starts with an atmospheric, dream passage that slowly builds to Pradhan's vocal introduction, before moving into The chorus, which is totally fist-pumping, and features blazing guitars and rhythms with amidst Pradhan's ballsy vocal delivery.

"Killer of the Night" is a fast-paced rock song, and it's probably the most likely to fit on rock radio playlists today. It's bouncy rhythms and upbeat "woah, woah, woahs" in the chorus make this a true pop-rock anthem.

Elsewhere, "Stand Up" has a deep groove that should entice the listener to want to move their body. THE END MACHINE are known for Geroge Lynch's soaring, fret-scorching guitar soloing, and "Stand Up" delivers, with a lengthy, fiery guitar solo. "Stranger in the Mirror" has a ZEPPELIN-like guitar riff that carries the song and makes it a comfy and familiar listen. Closing out the album is the fast paced "Into the Blazing Sun", which is the only song under 4 minutes on the set, and ends the album on an upbeat, energetic note.

"The Quantum Phase" sounds different from anything THE END MACHINE have done before due to the band's new singer, but it sill absolutely maintains the band's classic blueprint of scorching guitars, upbeat rhythms and larger-than-life vocals. Pradhan's unabashed style of singing is a perfect fit, and that should make for many more THE END MACHINE albums to come.