Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine II (Christian Gothic/Progressive Metal) [Full Album]

Year: 1994 Genre:Christian Gothic/Progressive Metal Country: United States Tracklist: 00:00 - Saviour Machine I 06:50 - The Gates 07:20 - Enter the Idol 11:29 - The Hunger Circle 16:40 - Child in Silence 23:09 - Ascension of Heroes 29:45 - Paradox 31:17 - The Stand 47:28 - American Babylon 55:04 - Ceremony 1:03:50 - Overture 1:05:00 - Love Never Dies 1:10:53 - Saviour Machine II Lineup: Vocals: Eric Clayton Guitars: Jeff Clayton Bass: Dean Forsyth Drums: Jayson Heart Keyboards: Nathan Van Hala Saviour Machine biography: SAVIOUR MACHINE was founded in California in the summer of 1989 around the nucleus of brothers Eric Clayton (vocals, lyrics) and Jeff Clayton (guitars). Supplemented by Dean Forsyth (bass) and Samuel West (drums), the Claytons recorded a few demos in the 90s, which culminated in a deal with Frontline Records and the released of their eponymous debut in 1993. The first album had strong influences from QUEENSRYCHE and U2, and displays a highly gothic atmosphere; this combination yields an almost doomy sound, but the material is kept sophisticated with keyboards, Eric’s incredibly strong baritone vocals, and deep lyrics. Unfortunately Frontline was falling apart, and so the sophomore effort “II“ was only released in Europe on Massacre Records in 1994. With the addition of Nathan Van Halla on piano and keys, the band moved toward more sophicated rhythms, textures, and song structures: the second album has a number of lengthy, complex pieces, and the band begins to incorporate Middle Eastern melodies into their music. The material still retains its incredibly dark edge; the band’s Christian lyrics are not the lovey dovey drivel of most Christian rock, nor the vapid or accusatory tones of their fellow Christan metal bands such as STRYPER, SACRED WARRIOR, etc. Instead, SAVIOUR MACHINE writes deeply introspectic lyrics melded with epic Biblical events and passages, creating an atmosphere with the strength of scripture but a truly human touch. A live album, “Live in Deutschland,“ followed in 1995. This strong release divides the bands work, for after it they would begin a huge project that would render the once tight band down to one man’s vision. That project, to create a dark symphonic progressive metal adaptation of John’s Book of Revelations, is the “Legend“ series, and it has become Eric Clayton’s vision. In 1997 the first, “Legend I“ was released. It showed the band moving away from their rock roots, incorporating even more exotic influences like Middle Eastern music, industrial, doom, classical, and choir music. The first Legend album is very dark and doomy, a prelude of a storm to come. The second Legend record, “Legend II,“ was released in 1998. An incredibly dense work, the first half is reeling, chaotic, and dizzying. A huge variety of instrumental sounds merge with recited scriptures, audio samples, and darkly prophetic singing, often delivered in multiple layers. The second half calms down the darkness, and brings in church music and choirs to show the other side of the story. Yet the album ends similarly to how it began, in gothic darkness and chaos. A span of three years passed, with the band stripping down to its nucleus of Eric Clayton and Nathan Van Halla. With help from a variety of musicians, including members of the European Christian metal band NARNIA, the first half of the third Legend segment, “Legend III:I“, was released in 2001. Instead of the chaos of “Legend II,“ the latest release from SAVIOUR MACHINE takes the gothic and dense sound of the band and makes hypnotic passages of intonation; patterns repeat again and again like a holy man praying the same prayers. While not as powerful and shockingly brilliant as “Legend II,“ it is a strong release. Unfortunately the end of the Legend series signals the end of SAVIOUR MACHINE as a group or project. The work to record “Legend III:II“ is nearly complete, and then the musical enigma called SAVIOUR MACHINE will cease to be. What they have left behind will hopefully gain recognition for what it is: truly unique, amazing progressive music. Eric Clayton’s excellent work with Arjen Lucassen on the AYREON release “The Human Equation“ has given SAVIOUR MACHINE more attention just as they are nearing the end. Of the band’s works, “II“ best exemplifies the band’s earlier work and style, while “Legend II“ shows SAVIOUR MACHINE at their most creatively inspired. : : : Matthew Harper, USA : : : (Prog Archives) Links: Metal archives Prog archives