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Artist: Hittman

(click on Artist's name above to return to artist's main page)

CD Title: Vivas Machina

 

Category: Hard Rock

Year: 1993

Label: Steamhammer

Catalog Number: SPV 084-76552

Personnel

Dirk Kennedy lead vocals, piano, keys
John Kristen lead and rhythm guitars, vocals
Michael Buccell bass
Mark Jenkins drums, percussion

Tracks

1.	Radio Waves	4:58
2.	Listen	4:01
3.	Say a Prayer for Me	3:34
4.	Words	3:41
5.	If You Can't Dance to It	3:30
6.	Answer My Prayer	6:19
7.	Partners in Crime	3:59
8.	Renegade Man	5:09
9.	Ballad of Jackson Heights	5:20
10.	Walk That Walk	3:51
11.	Mercy	8:22
Total Running Time:		52:44

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Hittman CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Hittman are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

Heavy Harmonies Owner
From: Dan	Date: January 19, 2003 at 4:50
I was surprised at how good this is. For some inane reason I thought this was more of a thrash band... go figure.

From: TIM	Date: January 19, 2003 at 5:40
I liked this a lot. I'm surprised it doesn't receive more attention. Highly recommended!

From: TIM	Date: January 19, 2003 at 6:15
If you like Bon Jovi or Jaded Heart then you'll need this one.

From: Shoemaker	Date: January 19, 2003 at 10:42
Yes, Hittman are a perfect mix of Queensryche, Bon Jovi and Extreme especially the singer. I donīt know why they did not get bigger. They were better than most bands in these days. 10/10

From: M. Allen

Date: January 24, 2003 at 17:09

This is a hit & miss affair. When the band brings it all together on songs like 'Partners in Crime' & 'You Can't Dance To It,' they deliver that perfect melodic hard rock sound with the precision of a sniper bullet between the eyes. However, many tracks are filler, making this CD a victim of the 'needs-more-good-songs-to-be-a-classic' plague. Bottom line, you won't mind having this album in your collection, but it probably won't spend too much time in your CD player either.

From: TIM	Date: January 24, 2003 at 17:29
'If You Can't Dance To It' was a bit lame to me. I found it more of a filler track. It's not bad but not what I get into. At least this group is a cheap risk if you buy them.

From: manos	Date: February 18, 2003 at 2:06
I disagree with all of you guys! ) Is this Operation Mindcrime No2? I dont think so! A total dissapointment for me comparing to the potential their prior release had put.

From: DIRK

Date: March 24, 2003 at 19:49

WELL, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THIS RECENT ACTIVITY REGARDING MY BAND. THANS TO ALL WHO POSTED, YOU CANT PLEASE EVERYONE, BUT YOU CAN PLEASE YOURSELF. AS FOR MINDRIME 2, THIS WAS NEVER AN INTENTION. WE WERE ALWAYS A COMBINATION OF POWER METAL AND ROCK. AS FOR DANCE TO IT, THAT WAS MEANT AS A COMMENT AS TO THE STATE OD ROCK AT THE TIME DONE TONGUE AND CHEEK. AS A SINGER I NEVER INTENDED TO BE THE NEXT GEOFF TATE AS WAS WIDELY EXPECTED AFTER OUR DEBUT, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG MISTAKE AS THERE WER

From: Mike GN	Date: March 25, 2003 at 20:26
Hey Dirk, Thanx for your great music. I still listen to it every week or so... What are you up to at the moment, I heard some rumours about a solo record... Mike

From: dirk	Date: April 9, 2003 at 7:59
hey mike, thanks so much for the compliment. yes I am recording a solo album at the moment. i hope to finish it by summer, its less metal than the hittman stuff, but its more of what i was always about, as for the heavier side...a new hittman recordmight happen in the next year or so, we have been plottong and talking

From: sylvain

Date: April 9, 2003 at 22:20

yeah Dirk, hurrah for your return, I hope your solo album and next hittman cd are almost ready Vivas machina is a masterpiece, every songs are different and your voice is so great (for me better than G.Tate), brillant lyrics and very good musicians (where are they now?) what a difference with the first Hittman (good but no very original) For me,little french, it's the best new of the year thanx Dirk to give me this wonderful cd

From: Dirk Kennedy

Date: June 9, 2003 at 15:46

Hey Guys... Man i can't believe all the debate. It is fun though, to read. personally'dance to it' is, was a fun track. john came up with the riff, me and jimmy the lyrics. It was meant to be an answer to all the poseur funk bands at the time and to the seattle scene. it was not indicitive to our style or our sound. it was just sarcasm. O.K? anyhoo thanks for all the posts, it means a lot to me. Im working hard on my solo album, and HITTMAN as always are talking about another record. dirk

From: Dirk Kennedy

Date: June 9, 2003 at 15:53

p.s I used to worry about being 'a great technical singer' in the early days. Our band were quite proficient musically and needed to stretch out. Along the way I realized that passion was more important that precision, and in doing so broke free of the 'metal format of singing. It was no longer necessary to hit a high A for no reason. It was about the story and being in the moment. The technical stuff has all been done. Ian Gillan started it, Tate finished it. check out Jimmy Gnecco of OURS DIRK

From: Dirk Kennedy	Date: June 9, 2003 at 15:58
By the way my favourite band right now is mrnorth. check em out at mrnorth.com melodic as hell and with something to say. a smashing singer, Colin Smith is passionate and relevent.

From: Great Dane	Date: June 9, 2003 at 18:14
Cool album. I bought it very cheap in a store which was closing. I didnt listen to it for ages, but one day I picked it out, and its great. Get it if you can find it. :-)

From: Metal_Warrior	Date: June 23, 2003 at 18:59
Hello Dirk i was the guy from Greece that used to email you lots in the past... I suppose you've changed your mail.If you check again here,drop me a line plz I suppose the moderator can delete this one after a month or so,so that there are no useless comments in here

From: dirk	Date: July 13, 2003 at 22:25
hey kids, as always I love to hear form you all. As for the solo record, i am 70 0.000000inished with it. I cant wait to put it out, and hit the road in europe next year. Its not as metal as hittman but it rocks and is really about me being an egomaniac..just kidding. hit me up at Dirkworld@aol.com or dirkworld@nyc.rr.com cheers

From: RocknrollPoland	Date: October 25, 2003 at 15:56
That cd is very interesting!3# Track is the best song when I ever heard! 7/10

From: dirk	Date: October 27, 2003 at 2:49
thanks man.... i appreciate that. My solo album is finished and im looking for a new label I'll let you all know asap dirk

From: Ms Wellsworth	Date: November 7, 2003 at 20:30
Well, I just think you're the cleverest lyric writer since Nana Mouskori. All kidding aside, I think youre great! You'll hit it big with this album,I'm sure.

From: Mrs. Wellsworth	Date: November 7, 2003 at 20:36
By the way. Why isn't Ballad of Jackson Heights, Mercy and Answer My Prayer a streaming audio choice on this page? That's the meat of this CD. (Sorry Dirk, I heard you're a vegitarian)

From: dirk	Date: November 7, 2003 at 23:07
thats right... bitch!

From: dirk	Date: November 7, 2003 at 23:15
For those readers who dont know her.... Mrs Wellsworth used to be my muse until she betrayed me with the entire population of New York City. She must be punished. DJK

From: riz (tokyo)	Date: November 15, 2003 at 15:07
hello dirk, i'm glad to know you keep doing as a professional singer. i look forward to listening to your music. 4 years ago i passed jackson-heights by subway.

From: dirk	Date: December 24, 2003 at 3:58
hey riz, yeah, well jackson heights... ahh the memories and the pain,its actually a shithole, where a certain someone lived. im glad you were able to pass by the sign on the subway... its on the record that same sign designed and drawn by my friend paul. cheers riz Dirk

From: Rebekah	Date: February 12, 2004 at 9:55
I still listen to either the first or the second CD at least once a week (both of which my wise fiance used to woo me). How about a Hittman reunion? There was nothing like a LIVE Hittman show to make my heart beat fast. (I still remember my first, when I thought that Dirk was Bruce Dickinson but thinner!) Still wearing my Hittman tattoos proudly, Rebekah (the original Hittman Groupie)

From: rebekah	Date: February 15, 2004 at 19:33
and why isn't jimmy listed as one of the performers, on this page???

From: Hask	Date: May 8, 2004 at 23:49
- Just got Viva Machinas - unfortunately I was expecting it to be similar to the self-titled debut (straight up metal) - this 2nd album, indeed sounds like Operation Mindcrime-era Queensryche meets Bon Jovi?! Indeed unique, however I think people will definitely prefer one album over the other - due to the radical change in style.

From: Rebekah	Date: June 19, 2004 at 15:45
OMG, go to Dirkworld.com NOW

From: dirk	Date: July 4, 2004 at 8:12
hi everyone, i'm finally online www.dirkmusic.com the album should be out sometime this fall... thanks for waiting. Dirk Kennedy

From: Ray	Date: December 8, 2004 at 20:24
To tell you the truth, I've never heard of Hittman, but I was listening to Winamp radio and the song Renegade Man came on and I really liked it. As a matter of fact, I went to Amazon.com and ordered Vivas Machina....expecting it any day now.

From: Mike	Date: December 19, 2004 at 16:11
Hey Dirk! I used to play the same NYC circuit as you in the late 80's- early 90's. The Cat Club, Limelight, Danceteria, Marquee, Lamour's(Eastand West). My band was Next of Kin. You were a cut above the rest. Great melodies, great rockin' tunes., and great presentation. Jackson Heights isn't so bad. I live there! Keep rockin!

From:	Date: December 31, 2004 at 10:32
hey mike, sorry about the jackson height comment, (too many bad memories) i remember you guys, thanks for the kudos. dirkworld@nyc.rr.com give me a shout.

From: LOVEHUNTER	Date: January 9, 2005 at 8:08
IT SOUNDS LIKE QUEENSRYCHE BUT IS NOT BETTER, WORDS IS AWONDERFUL SONG BUT IN THIS STYLE I PREFER CRIMSON GLORY'S SECOND ALBUM (WHERE'S IN THIS SITE?)

From: Geoff	Date: February 12, 2005 at 20:28
Man does this band sound tight. Great musicianship, excellent production and some killer songs. I prefer this to their earlier release, as this one is more melodic and accessable. I'd recommend this one to any fan of good solid hard rock. Maybe slightly similar and like a more commercial version of Sven Gali's debut? Great CD.

From: Dan Friml	Date: March 20, 2005 at 16:02
One of the best albums in my huge collection! Any more news on the new album???

From: prowler

Date: August 29, 2006 at 5:22

this is relly great cd.some people here accuse hittman of making clone of operation mindcrime.well,queensryche created,i think,new trend in heavy metal music and we should not reproach hittman parroting queensryche.hittman recorded very good album in queensryche style,but not a clone.this is their own work,and it worked out very well.for sure vivas machina is not coping queensryche,but it has its own orginal feel in specific,queensryche's kind of music.highly recommended!very good work!10/10

From: Heavy.AOR	Date: August 29, 2006 at 9:37
BRILLIANT 10/10.Who fu****ing voting for 4.65 this is very very good hard rock great voice Dirk's and good melodic band.

From: juan carlos	Date: April 3, 2008 at 23:30
Well, this album surprised me a bit. Really Good Hardrock with some great riffs and clear production. I admit this album i had to listen more than once. My favorite song is the "Ballad of Jackson Heights". Dirk Kennedy reminds me of Michael Bormann. Good booklet and recommended but give it more than one listen. 8.5/10

From: andi	Date: March 19, 2012 at 7:19
Very good second Hardrock Album,much better than the Debue Album were was very hard...Style like Crystal Ball meets Amsterdam,meets Hardline!!Great!!

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: March 21, 2012 at 22:45
This is better than the band's self titled debut IMO...more well structured songs and probably with a commercial side attached to them which is or was understandable..."Say A Prayer For Me","Words"(solid soft),"If You Can't Dance To It","Partners In Crime"(ala Danger Danger) & "Mercy"(the best song of the album for me)are my faves...recommended...87/100

From: MelodicMetal4Ever	Date: March 30, 2012 at 16:01
i agree with Rick. This cd is 1000 times better then the self titled. IMO songs such as "Say A Prayer", "Partners In Crime" and "Ballad Of Jackson Heights" shows off what this band is capable of. I hope there is a follow up to this one. very nice melodic hard rock reminds me of bon jovi in a few of their songs...AWESOME STUFF!!

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: March 30, 2012 at 21:05
rock on MelodicMetal4Ever!!!! ...cheers mate!!!

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