Chris Poland

Christopher Poland

“Chris”

Chris Poland was Megadeth's first studio lead guitarist and one of the most eclectic musicians to play with the band. Born in New York in 1957, Poland was shaped by jazz-rock and fusion in the '70s, developing refined technique and unconventional phrasing that set him apart. In 1984, Dave Mustaine recruited him for Megadeth, impressed by his skill and creativity. Together, Poland and Mustaine formed a memorable guitar duo: his solos on 'Killing Is My Business...' and 'Peace Sells' blended metal aggression with melodic scales, expressive bends, and a jazz sensibility that brought sophistication to thrash. Poland recorded 'Killing Is My Business...' (1985) and 'Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?' (1986), leaving his mark on classics like 'Devils Island' and 'Good Mourning/Black Friday'. However, his time in the band was marked by addiction issues and internal tensions, leading to his departure in 1987 after the 'Peace Sells' tour. After Megadeth, Poland explored various musical paths: he briefly played bass in Circle Jerks, released the acclaimed instrumental album 'Return to Metalopolis' (1990), founded the progressive band Damn The Machine, and—once recovered—returned to jazz-metal fusion with OHM: alongside former Megadeth bassist Robertino 'Pag' Pagliari. In 2004, Poland reunited with Mustaine as a session guitarist on 'The System Has Failed', recording solos on several tracks and mending old wounds. Since then, he has focused on instrumental projects and collaborations with progressive and experimental artists, cementing his reputation as a versatile and sophisticated guitarist. Chris Poland's legacy in Megadeth endures in every dissonant lick of the early albums, showing that thrash metal could incorporate finesse and creativity amid the chaos.