Saviour Machine

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Saviour Machine is a neoclassical Christian gothic symphonic metal band from California, USA, formed in 1989. The band is known for its epic music and lyrics that deal with the End Times. Saviour Machine is particularly popular in Germany and has performed at Wacken Open Air festival in 1997. Later, the band became known for its ambitious Legend trilogy.

[edit] History

[edit] In the beginning (1989 - 1993)

Saviour Machine was formed by brothers Jeff and Eric Clayton in the summer of 1989. The band took its name from a song on the David Bowie album The Man Who Sold the World. Saviour Machine recorded and released their first demos in 1990. A theatrical stage show featuring pyrotechnics, images projected onto a background screen and other props attracted a growing fan base in Southern California.

 Music samples:

"Legion"

Sample of "Legion" by Saviour Machine, from Saviour Machine I (1993). The song represents Saviour Machine's gothic opera metal style. Containing lyrics with a gothic horror feel and apocalyptic themes, because of this song the album was banned from Christian music stores in the United States.

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In 1993,with the help of Deliverance frontman, Jimmy P. Brown II, Saviour Machine signed with Frontline Records, a Christian rock record label, and released their first full-length album under the Intense Records imprint, Saviour Machine I. The album's lyrics deal with personal experiences, observations, and the spiritual struggle to maintain faith through the darkest periods of life. Additional content is specifically based on scriptures found in the Book of Revelation. Other portions are surreal and sometimes confrontational, dealing with political and social statements, structures and powers. Musically, the band had developed a guitar-driven rock music sound, featuring melodic riffs and extensive solos from Jeff Clayton.

Despite critical acclaim from the mainstream press^[1][2] and a growing number of fans nationwide, people in some Christian circles felt threatened by Saviour Machine's bold lyrical direction and stylized stage presentation, most prominently the white make-up and jewel worn by vocalist Eric Clayton. During a 1993 tour with Christian metal band Deliverance, the controversy spilled over at a concert at the New Union, a Christian music club in Minneapolis. Several songs into their set, the power was cut and the performers were ushered from the stage. This was followed by an announcement from New Union management stating they were uncomfortable with the content of the show. However, many in the crowd gathered with band members at a local White Castle restaurant to show their continued support.^[1]

[edit] The band played on (1994 - 1996)

Confusion and political upheaval at Frontline Records led to less-than-ideal conditions for the recording of the band's next album in 1994, Saviour Machine II. The lyrical content of Saviour Machine II was based largely on the controversy of the previous year, down to the closing line: Do you see the light of the Saviour inside this Machine? Musically, the addition of pianist Nathan Van Hala resulted in a classical music-based sound. Many songs featured piano compositions and keyboard orchestration.

With the release of Saviour Machine II the band began to pursue new representation. A growing following had developed in Europe, particularly in Germany. This led to the formation of MCM Music, an independent label for all Saviour Machine projects, by vocalist Eric Clayton and his European management team. The band also secured a distribution deal with Massacre Records. Saviour Machine was given full creative control on all future projects, ensuring the integrity and credibility the band had sought to achieve.

Multiple tours of Europe followed in 1995 and 1996. During a 1995 performance at Owen Teck Rocknight, a Christian music festival in Owen, Germany, Saviour Machine recorded their first live album. Live in Deutschland, released in 1995, featured selections from Saviour Machine I and Saviour Machine II.

[edit] The Legend trilogy (1997 - 2007)

Saviour Machine next turned to the most ambitious project they had ever undertaken, the Legend trilogy. Legend consists of the most exhaustive study of end-time Biblical prophecy ever set to music. As such, it has been dubbed "the unofficial soundtrack to the end of the world" in promotional materials.^[3] The Legend trilogy comprises four full-length CDs totaling more than five hours of music. Legend I and Legend II were released in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Legend III:I was released in 2001 at the Cornerstone Festival. The long-awaited final disc, Legend III:II, was scheduled to be released July 7, 2007. Legend parts I through III:I were released by MCM Music and Massacre Records; however, Legend III:II will be released independently.^[4] On May 27, 2007, Eric Clayton released a statement on the Saviour Machine MySpace blog saying that, due to health problems, he would not be able to finish Legend III:II in time to make the July 7 release date. He is releasing samples of rough mixes of each song on Legend III:II on SeventhCircle.net throughout July.^[5]

All lyrical content is based on the Book of Revelation and other Biblical prophecy.^[3] The first album draws from the Old Testament and New Testament, except the Book of Revelation, and includes the applicable biblical references and a concordance.^[3] Legend II continues where part one ended - the rise of the antichrist.^[3] Musically, the Legend albums showcase a further refinement of Saviour Machine's rock and classical music style. Complex orchestral arrangements, sampling, and live choirs give the entire project a movie soundtrack or rock opera feel.

Saviour Machine has performed a limited number of concerts in the USA, Germany and Mexico City since undertaking the Legend trilogy. A second live album was released in 2002, again featuring a performance from Owen Teck Rocknight in Owen, Germany. Live in Deutschland 2002 featured selections from Legend I, Legend II and Legend III:I.

[edit] It is finished...

Eric Clayton has repeatedly stated that Saviour Machine's work will end upon the completion of the Legend trilogy. Fans have long hoped for a farewell tour and one final concert in Israel, where Saviour Machine would perform the entire trilogy in sequence. This thought was born after an interview in Ennepetal, Germany in 2001, where Eric kidded about this final concert.

[edit] Music

Saviour Machine's music on the simplest level can be described as gothic rock-opera.^[6] Their music has elements of classic metal, opera, progressive rock, gothic rock and classical music. Their metal and hard rock influences include Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. While not the heaviest brand of metal, their music is heavy enough to be included in the Metal-Archives. Especially the Legend trilogy songs include power chords and thick riffs. Saviour Machine's classical music influences include the composers Richard Wagner, Karl Orff, Ludwig van Beethoven and Hector Berlioz. These influences are reminiscent in the choir, string compositions and piano playing of Nathan Van Hala. Another opera element are the vocals of Eric Clayton. The vocals range from deep basso to high tenor and sometimes are comparable to gothic baritone vocals of Andrew Eldritch (The Sisters of Mercy).^[6] Clayton's voice is dark, emotional and technically talented. Eric Clayton himself has not considered Saviour Machine to be a stricly gothic group but rather a one that plays a style of its own. According to Clayton, the band was influenced by proto-gothic groups such as the glam rock artist David Bowie, the psychedelic rock band The Doors and post-punk band U2. The first two albums showcase extensive classic metal and progressive rock influenced guitar solos and clean, echoed guitars reminiscent of traditional gothic rock. The guitarwork is known to incorporate epic, Middle Eastern melodies.^[6] The Legend trilogy features some guitar playing that is based on menacing, somewhat doom metal type repetitive riffs.

[edit] Discography & videography

[edit] Members

[edit] Current members

• Eric Clayton - vocals
• Charles Cooper - bass
• Carl Johan Grimmark - guitar
• Nathan Van Hala - piano
• Thomas Weinesjö - drums

[edit] Former members

• Jeff Clayton - guitar (1989 - 2001)
• Victor Deaton - drums (1999 - 2001)
• Chris Fee - drums (1989 - 1992)
• Dean Forsyth - bass (1989 - 1995)
• Jayson Heart - drums (1994 - 1998)
• Sam West - drums (1993)

[edit] Side projects

• Eric Clayton appeared as "Reason" on Ayreon's 2004 album, The Human Equation, which also featured James LaBrie and Devin Townsend, among others. In 1998, he produced and performed guest vocals on Wedding Party's album, Anthems. Clayton also produced and performed guest vocals in Eva O's album, Damnation: Ride the Madness. Additionally he sings 'O Holy Night' with Eva O on Projekt Records Excelsis - A Dark Noel.

• Carl Johan Grimmark is the lead guitarist for Narnia and also performs with Rob Rock.

• Nathan Van Hala currently plays keyboards for West Indian Girl and Duchess. Past projects include X-electra, Shadow Project, and Strychnine Kiss, for whom he was the vocalist and primary songwriter.

• Thomas Weinesjö is the drummer for Veni Domine.

• Former drummer Victor Deaton played drums on two tracks ("Raven's Warning" and "Alliance") and marching snare drum (percussion) on one track ("War Memorial") of Wedding Party's record Anthems. It is also rumored that Victor Deaton played drums on the Rackets and Drapes record Trick or Treat. Hence, the liner notes of the album contained, "BAND THANX: ...,Vic Deaton for the music lessons,..." Victor Deaton has also recorded with guitarist Phil Keaggy.

• Former drummer Sam West is currently a member of Stavesacre, and previously performed with Scaterd Few and The Violet Burning.

• Eric Clayton guested Carl Johan Grimmarks headproject Narnia on the album The Great Fall and sang the vocals with Christian Rivel on the 14 minute epic song The Great Fall of Man.

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• The Arena - Official Message Board
• Official Myspace Page
• Active Fansite

[edit] References