Album Review — The End Machine

The End Machine — Phase2

The End Machine has returned with their second record, appropriately titled “Phase2”. The End Machine is basically Dokken minus Don Dokken who has been replaced by former Lynch Mob singer Robert Mason. On “Phase2”, Steve Brown has replaced his recently retired brother Mick.

I liked the first record but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. There were some good songs but it lacked focus as many of the songs wondered at times. I was hoping for a little more of that Dokken feel and there wasn’t enough of that for me.

“Phase2” has changed course a bit as the songs are a bit more focused and sound a bit more like the classic Dokken sound mixed with some Lynch Mob. According to Lynch, the band focused more on “hooks and accessibility” while Pilson added that the band “weren’t afraid to let certain elements of the Dokken sound come through loud and clear”.

The album starts with the short instrumental, “The Rising”, that builds to the heavy opener and first single, “Blood And Money”. From the very start of the track we get that classic Dokken sound and Lynch is instantly recognizable. Lynch has worked with a lot of artists over the last decade and has ventured into new musical arenas, but that classic Lynch guitar sound is back here.

“We Walk Alone” continues that heavier feel and Lynch’s guitar leads the way. Mason’s vocals are definitely different than Don Dokken but they really work. He’s got more grit to his vocal and it really works.

“Dark Divide” is probably my favorite track on the record. Those classic Dokken harmonies are on display. The first record didn’t take advantage of Pilson’s fantastic backing vocals and that is remedied here. Just a great track.

Other highlights include the bluesier “Scars” and “Devil’s Playground”. “Scars” also features those classic harmonies again while “Devil’s Playground” has a Lynch Mob sort of feel to it.

“Shine Your Light” and “Born of Fire” also stand out as high quality hard rockers that should make Dokken and Lynch Mob fans very happy.

“Phase2” is the record that I was hoping the debut record was going to be. It took the band a record to realize it doesn’t have to ignore the band’s collective past to be a new band. “Phase2” doesn’t sound like any specific Dokken record, but as Pilson said, there are definitely those classic elements that should remind Dokken fans how great that band was.

I’d love to see this band hit the road when they can and play a bunch of tracks off of this record along with a batch of Dokken tracks. That would be a great show to see.

But for now Dokken fans can enjoy “Phase2”. I know I am.

90 out of 100

Track Listing

1 The Rising
2 Blood And Money
3 We Walk Alone *
4 Dark Divide *
5 Crack The Sky
6 Prison Or Paradise
7 Plastic Heroes
8 Scars *
9 Shine Your Light *
10 Devil’s Playground
11 Born Of Fire *
12 Destiny

*Best Songs