Saviour Machine
Saviour Machine was formed by brothers Jeff and Eric Clayton back in the summer of 1989 in The Golden State of Los Angeles, California. The band is known for their atmospheric Gothic Metal music with orchestrations and piano as a backdrop to the powerful Goth-like vocal delivery of Eric Clayton. The band's also known for their elaborate theatrical concert performances that included masks, flag burnings of the United Nations flag, chains, and even stage blood. The band wasn't received well, early on, in the US however, the band has an impressive international following in Europe.
The band has churned out five impressive studio albums and two live albums on Frontline and MCM Music, and distributed by Massacre Records. Saviour Machine's music and lyrics mostly deal with end-time prophecies that are filled with detail information of future events and warnings as written in Biblical text.
With the band's first two releases 1993-'Saviour Machine I' and 1994-'Saviour Machine II' The band wasn't received well in the US as people began noticing the band's darker image along with their lyrics that dealt with darker subject matter. The end result is that the albums were pulled from the racks of christian book stores. There also was the incident where the band was performing in Minnesota when they got unplugged by management and moved off the stage due to their misunderstood stage theatrics. Shortly after the release of their second album, Intense Records dropped the band but they were quickly picked up by a European label called Massacre Records where they released a live album in 1995 of a concert gig they had done in Germany and in addition, a very cool video as well.
The Jewel that Eric wears on his forehead is said to represent the seal of the Lamb which is mentioned in Revelation and the other reason that he wore it was simply because he thought it looked cool. Eric States: "With the whole persona of Saviour Machine, we've been ridiculed by really conservative groups. I think this is one of the biggest problems we have in the U.S.: ‘How can they look like that? How can they be Christians?’ And what’s funny is we took this metaphor right up in concert. The mask itself has always been a representative metaphor of the flesh, and how quickly people judge flesh, instead of what’s beneath it. A great deal of time and thought went into coming up with this original look, this original feel and concept. And it all has relevance. It all has purpose. My makeup has always represented the mask itself. And it just shows very clearly how quickly people judge a book by its cover. There are a lot of people out there that still can’t see past, or see beyond the horizon, and see what lies behind the mask. If people could just stop judging a book by its cover and seek what’s within, we might be able to step closer to the truth."
Eric Clayton did an interview on "The Outcast" where we can get a glimpse into the faith that Eric has as he states: Religion is of man, not of God. There’s a huge difference between religion and true faith and discipleship in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. I preach this above all; do not follow the doctrine of man. If you’re following a religion, then you are following a doctrine of man, following mans interpretation of scripture. The word of God is the most powerful thing in the universe, it’s between you and God. If you truly are submissive and truly obedient to what God wants to reveal to you in Gods time, not our time, but through patience and perseverance, God will enlighten you and inspire you.
From 1997-2007 Saviour Machine began their 'Legend' trilogy which was presented in promotional materials as "the unofficial soundtrack to the end of the world" . This was due to the trilogies focus on end-time events as found in the prophetic passages in Revelations. All of the 'Legend' releases are dripping with atmosphere that is Gothic in genre due to the Goth like vocals of Eric Clayton and the use of pianos, Choir vocals, stylistic guitar play, and atmospheric keyboards rolled up in an Epic package. Legend III:I is the fifth album by the legendary band Saviour Machine and the third album in the 'Legend' trilogy.
There's not many in the industry that have such a powerful voice as Eric Clayton who is able to deliver such emotion and atmosphere with his voice alone. He effortlessly sets the tone of each and every song with his operatic-theatrical style of delivery that is gut wrenching to say the least. This is high-end vocal work that not many can touch or duplicate.
Legend III:I finds the band moving more in a heavier direction mostly due to the addition of guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark(Narnia,Rob Rock,Divinefire). Grimmark helped to move this band who was mostly piano driven to a band that was guitar driven giving this Legend III:I album a heavier sound than some of its precursors.
Many songs by Saviour Machine incorporate atmospheric piano and Keyboard orchestration arrangements to help set the tone of the tunes and their subject matter. The Maestro behind the keys is Nathan Van Hala who really plays a big part in the overall sound of Saviour Machine.
On Saviour Machine's first two albums the lyrics were not easily understood and not very out front with their message as it was almost coded, if you will, and difficult to decipher. However, with the 'Legend' trilogy we see a different approach from the band where we find, for the most part, straightforward Biblical text as it appears in the Bible. With the out front lyrics of the Legend series it is much easier to partner with the band as we see more clearly the beliefs that they hold. The following are some of their lyrics off the Legend III:I release:
"Rivers Of Blood"
And I heard the angel of the water say:
"You are righteous, my Lord
The one who is and who was and who is to be
Because you have judged these things.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets
And You have given them blood to drink."
"Lord God almighty, true and righteous
Are Your judgments."
"The Plague And The Darkness"
Then the fourth angel poured his bowl
Upon the sun and the flames came
And men were scorched with fire, in blasphemy...
The cursed the God of plagues...
Then the fifth angel poured his bowl
Upon the throne of the beast
And his kingdom fell in darkness
And in pain and disease...
"Repent of all your demons
Repent of all your deeds
Repent of wickedness
Disgrace and blasphemy."
"Repent of all your evil
Repent of all your crimes
Repent from this unholy
Betrayal and sacrifice."
"Repent from your harlot
Repent from your tyrant
The plague and the darkness
Have fallen in silence."
And I heard the angel of the water say:
"You are righteous, my Lord
The one who is and who was and who is to be
Because you have judged these things.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets
And You have given them blood to drink."
"Lord God almighty, true and righteous
Are Your judgments."
"The Plague And The Darkness"
Then the fourth angel poured his bowl
Upon the sun and the flames came
And men were scorched with fire, in blasphemy...
The cursed the God of plagues...
Then the fifth angel poured his bowl
Upon the throne of the beast
And his kingdom fell in darkness
And in pain and disease...
"Repent of all your demons
Repent of all your deeds
Repent of wickedness
Disgrace and blasphemy."
"Repent of all your evil
Repent of all your crimes
Repent from this unholy
Betrayal and sacrifice."
"Repent from your harlot
Repent from your tyrant
The plague and the darkness
Have fallen in silence."
It is known that Eric Clayton has had some health issues so as you think about it, please pray for him that he would get better.
Saviour Machine is recommended to to all fans of Metal music. If your a Gothic Metal fan then you have something to get excited about here.
Saviour Machine is recommended to to all fans of Metal music. If your a Gothic Metal fan then you have something to get excited about here.
Discography:
1990-Saviour Machine-(demo)Independent Re-released on MCM Music in 1997
1993-Saviour Machine I-Intense Records Re-released on MCM Music/Massacre Records in 1996 1994-Saviour Machine II-Intense Records Re-released on MCM Music/Massacre Records in 1995 1995-Live in Deutschland 1995-MCM Music/Massacre Records CD and VHS
1997-Legend I-MCM Music/Massacre RecordsReview: The Phantom Tollbooth
1998-Legend II-MCM Music/Massacre RecordsReviews:The Phantom Tollbooth
2001-Legend III:I-MCM MusicExclusive first pressing; Limited to 2001 hand #ed copies
2002-Live in Deutschland 2002-MCM Music/Massacre Records 2CD and 2DVD; DVD includes re-release of Live in Deutschland 1995
2006-Rarities/Revelations-Independent 4CD; Limited to 500 hand #ed copies signed by Eric Clayton
1990-Saviour Machine-(demo)Independent Re-released on MCM Music in 1997
1993-Saviour Machine I-Intense Records Re-released on MCM Music/Massacre Records in 1996 1994-Saviour Machine II-Intense Records Re-released on MCM Music/Massacre Records in 1995 1995-Live in Deutschland 1995-MCM Music/Massacre Records CD and VHS
1997-Legend I-MCM Music/Massacre RecordsReview: The Phantom Tollbooth
1998-Legend II-MCM Music/Massacre RecordsReviews:The Phantom Tollbooth
2001-Legend III:I-MCM MusicExclusive first pressing; Limited to 2001 hand #ed copies
2002-Live in Deutschland 2002-MCM Music/Massacre Records 2CD and 2DVD; DVD includes re-release of Live in Deutschland 1995
2006-Rarities/Revelations-Independent 4CD; Limited to 500 hand #ed copies signed by Eric Clayton
Musicians
Eric Clayton–Lead Vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark–Guitars
Jeff Clayton–Guitars
Charles Cooper–Bass
Nathan Van Hala–Piano
Victor Deaton–Drums
Eric Clayton–Lead Vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark–Guitars
Jeff Clayton–Guitars
Charles Cooper–Bass
Nathan Van Hala–Piano
Victor Deaton–Drums