SAVIOUR MACHINE

Saviour Machine's balance of doomy riffs, gothic atmosphere, stentorian vocals and spiritual lyrics was always a difficult one to pull off, and on this second album the riffs seem to take a back seat as the music shifts in a more operatic direction to suit Eric Clayton's vocals. The end result is an album which is competent enough, but which lacks the unique alchemy which made the debut album special. Moreover, the band seem to be stuck in an atmospheric rut, with each song sounding more or less the same as any other song on the album to the point where it's sometimes difficult to remember which song you're listening to unless you've memorised the lyrics.

Behold A Pale Horse is a track off the second album in Saviour Machine's Legend series. The song itself is a nice one, featuring the trademark epic baritone vocals of Eric Clayton, some thundering drum- and guitarwork and interesting background stuff. Releasing it as a single, however, is to me pretty unnecessary (as almost all singles are, after all). Saviour Machine have done some more single-quality or "catchy" songs before, such as Carnival of Souls. Featured here with the cd version are also two remixes, "ego mix" and "classical mix". The previous has some electronic sounds and is really odd at first listen, as it doesn't really sound like Saviour Machine at all. Somehow, it still pretty much works, if not brilliantly. The "classical" one is pretty much just piano and vocals with some strings attached. I actually prefer it's calmness to the original version. The fourth track is New World Order, which didn't fit into Legend II. It is a great composition with all the epic Eastern Apocalyptic atmosphere that is part of the later SM sound. 3,5 stars really, rounded down because it is hardly essential. Still, this is some very fine and unique music.

— First review of this album —

I bought this album when already having been well introduced to Saviour Machine, because it has pretty much the best songs from their first two albums (and because I got it so cheap). Synopsis is a good compilation, in a sense that it has many memorable tracks, such as classics Carnival of Souls, American Babylon, Behold a Pale Horse (which is featured as an interesting piano version) and Legend I:I/The Lamb (an absolutely stunning song, I still get goosebumps on every listen). Soundwise, Saviour Machine is an orchestral gothic rock band with many progressive elements, and they are very good and competent in what they do. The baritone singer Eric Clayton is one reason that really makes the band stand out. This album feature mainly songs from Saviour Machine I&II, where the orchestral elements were more in a sleeping stage and the emphasis was on energetic expression, only a couple of songs from the phenomenal Legend series. As for those, I highly suggest getting the actual albums (there is three of them, Legend III:II being still in the works and it's somewhat questionable if it will ever be properly released). Only downsides on this release are two tracks which I'm not really into and find boring (Ludicrous Smiles and Ascension of Heroes). I would probably have chosen Jesus Christ and Enter the Idol instead. So, four stars quite clearly, a really good way for getting into the band if you don't know them.

This live CD showcases the early sound of Saviour Machine, before the beginning of their much more colossal Legend series. The setlist is pretty much a perfect representation of their first two albums, including many classics such as Carnival of Souls and Legion but also some more rarely heard and brilliant pieces like The Wicked Window and the epic The Stand. The orchestral elements are there, but more in the background, and the pieces are driven with mix of progressive gothic rock, some eastern guitar melodies played with tastefulness and some delay, and of course the splendid vocals of one and only mr Eric Clayton. It is so hard to find anything to complain here, that I can't stop myself from giving this one a 5 star rating even though I do think they pushed the level still a tiny bit further with their 2002 live dvd. Blazing with passion, aggressive riffs, slowly building instrumental sections and the simple beauty and reflection of the calmer parts, this is musically a very professionally sounding live record and gives yet another reason for me to believe that there is not a band quite like Saviour Machine. The sentimental encore Overture/Love Never Dies/Saviour Machine II sums it up well: "It is finished/ do you see/ the light of the saviour inside this machine". I do.

As Legend III:II, the last part of Saviour Machine's apocalyptic Legend series has been on the ice for many years and is unfortunately most likely to remain there, it seems Part III:I will have to serve as a finale to the series. Is it a satisfying, mind-expanding continuation to the brilliance that is parts I and II? Well, not really, to be honest. Is it just a very good album? Oh, indeed it is. It is actually better not to compare III:I to I and II, as it is a bit different in many ways. The numerous atmospheric background tracks that gave the first two albums their unique and deep sound are almost gone. The guitars sound heavier and edgier, which sometimes works pretty nicely (the headbanger Revelation 13, for example) but sometimes they tend to be a bit of an unnecessary distraction. There is also some additional choirwork added, which even though blamed to be too out of tune (and some places it is) serves well in my opinion to bring the album a ghastly, decisive kind of feeling. The deep baritone voice of Eric Clayton is as stunning and epic as always, and the compositions are fine and well focused with some necessary reprises of previous albums. Storywise it doesn't get any more epic than this (trying not to use the word "epic" more than once while writing a Legend review seems to be an impossible task..), as Lucifer releases his true power and identity, angels blow their trumpets to bring the final plagues upon the Earth and the end of the age draws near. I'm still waiting for a miracle, to see this amazing album series coming to a satisfying conclusion.

— First review of this album —

Rarities&Revelations???  You bet!!

Well what a nice treat this is! I think any SM fan would be delighted to listen to this wonderful compilation of rare material. First of all, what you are getting is Original Demo recordings, live Bootlegs, rough mixes, initial reference recordings, acoustic performances and interview segments. What more can a Saviour Machine fan ask for!!! I admit, my fellow proggers, that the audio quality isn't gonna blow your hair back. I mean, it has been remastered enough where a lot of the white/pink noise is minor, but that really isn't the point...is it? Of course not! We wanna hear the beginnings and inspiration behind the whole machine that is Saviour! And that's what you will get. I guarantee you will hear and feel a different side of Saviour Machine as well as being shocked, especially hearing the initial recording track THE PAIN, which is a performance by Eric Clayton where he strips the Goth from his voice and gives you a sweeter side of himself by leaving behind his trademark baritone chops. You will be amazed at EC's vocal versatility and range. This is a huge reason why I think Eric Clayton has some of the best vocals in the prog sphere, let alone the world. Anyway, above all, this is an excellent compilation (1990-1993) and key highlights for me was hearing an acoustic live version of LEGION, CARNIVAL OF SOULS and of course the initial recording of THE PAIN. One last thing I'd should point out, this is only 1of 4 of the rarities/Revelations cd comps. The adventure doesn't stop here! Anyway. Enjoy. 👊👊👊👊👊 fist punches!!! I will review the next 3 discs soon. 

A LEGEND IS BORN!!!❕

I have to say that it is my sincerest pleasure to review this album. I will get right to the point and say that this album, LEGEND pt1 is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is the first of 3 parts that depicts the Anastasis of Christ and the rise of Satan with his apocalyptic army to reek havoc on the earth ushering in the principal of the end of days. Nice i know. LEGEND pt1 is a conceptual piece that fully adapts the biblical story of Revelations, which is the last part of the bible in the 2nd testament. For people who have read revelations and have a pretty good understanding of it may be thinking right now how in the you know what, did SAVIOUR MACHINE turn this incredibly dense and dark story into a beautiful music piece? I still to this day can't fathom how SM did it, but it shall be known that they pulled it off and in fine form!!   Meanwhile, let's get into the music here. First of all, out of the 3 parts of the LEGEND series the first part here is the most guitar driven out of 3. JEFF CLAYTON absolutely shines on this album (last album with the band) by offering up some of thee most haunting riffs I've ever heard and it fits so well considering the nature of the story. The track 'THE BEAST' and 'THE SWORD OF ISLAM' are key highlights in the album to get that wicked-evil guitar based sound that any gothic prog/metal fan would appreciate. Next would be the superb choir orchestration movements provided by the CANTIBLE CHOIR  /ORCHESTRA that sit so very nicely in the listeners ear to contrast the dark moody guitar soundscape. Heart felt songs can be heard in tracks LEGEND 1:1, THE LAMB, I AM, OVERTURE and of course the ever powerful epic ANTICHRIST 1:1 which fittingly enough is the last track on this incredible album.  To continue, I have to mention the main driving force of the machine that is Saviour, and that man is Mr. ERIC CLAYTON. If you ever wanted a singer that can belt it out with power, conviction and grace then you found your frontman in ERIC. E.C's powerful lyrics and song writing is a huge contributing factor as to why this album was such a successful listen for me (hopefully for you as well). E.C is nothing short of a genius and pretty much is the backbone of Saviour Machine itself. He will move you and captivate your interest even if your not a religious person and that is hard to do. Once the listener is brought past the opening OVERTURE track on this album, you will be hypnotized by EC's powerful narration and bellowing baritone vocals that tells one of the greatest stories ever in REVELATIONS. Key moments of ERIC CLAYTON'S genius is really in the whole album, but if I had to choose tracks where he shines musically it would be LEGEND 1:1/THE LAMB, THE NIGHT and ANTICHRIST 1. Powerful majesty and grandeur indeed!!  Lastly, the drumming and bass fall nicely into place as well, but don't really stand out cause the drumming is soft, repetitious and  quite rhythmic. The bass is soft as well from DEAN FORSYTHE and acts mainly as background filler. I know it sounds like I have described the drum/bass sound to this album as a bit prosaic, but the reality is that it works so well with everything else that is going in the album like the incredibly lush keyboards by Nathan Van Halla, choir orchestration and of course E.C's vocals. It all works and flows like a well oiled machine. The chemistry and genius is really all there and I have to say that is really rare to find these days, which is why I am giving this album a 5/5 👌. I am forever hooked to this haunting, gripping masterpiece from SAVIOUR MACHINE. It was indeed a pleasure. I hope you will get the same enjoyment as I did. 👍

SAVIOUR MACHINE  2: CHOIRS AND KEYBOARDS TAKE CHARGE!

If there was ever a time where I was truly blown away while listening to a dark, gothic progressive metal album this would be the time! SAVIOUR MACHINE 2 is an epic leap forward into the progsphere. I say this because SAVIOUR MACHINE's first album  (1) was more of a power thrash metal effort with hints of that true prog metal sound that we love to hear from the likes of QUEENSR?CHE, DREAM THEATER AND PSYCHOTIC WALTZ. All in all  SAVIOUR 1 was a very fine effort, but SAVIOUR MACHINE 2 remains true to a progressive metal fan's delight and satisfaction due to the more intricate, complex sound arrangements put forth by the band with this piece. 

SAVIOUR MACHINE made some line up changes to their band, which allowed the appearance of NATHAN VAN HALLA to surface. VAN HALLA is a keyboard/synth virtuoso who has helped add a new dimension to SAVIOUR MACHINE's overall sound by allowing more layered and orchestrated synth elements to the fold to complement the bands already dynamic sound. Not to mention, front man and sound production guru, ERIC CLAYTON decided to add the CANTIBLE CHOIR ORCHESTRA to fuel SAVIOUR MACHINE's sound to epic proportions, and it is evident on about 70% of the entire SAVIOUR 2 album.  Certainly, a full fledged choir is a nice added touch and will be sure to warm the hearts of the true Gothic Monastic sound worshipers. To continue, Hearing the sound of the choir in tracks like SAVIOUR MACHINE PT1&2, CEREMONY and the epic 17min song THE STAND will immediately transport you to being inside the most beautiful, elaborate cathedral you can think of. The addictive, strong chants of the choir will have you plunged into an epic sound,glorious enough that it will make you fist pump 12,000 times!!! Metalbethyname!!! In conclusion, the CANTIBLE CHOIR along with VAL HALLA's hypnotic and virtuoso keyboard playing are the true marks of SAVIOUR MACHINE's improvement and difference in their overall sound; in fact SAVIOUR MACHINE would keep this sound structure as the true hallmark to what the LEGEND TRILOGY would represent. Guitars would take a back seat to choirs and keyboards, which would be far more present from this day forth. This is why SAVIOUR 1 has such a special place with true metal heads cause the guitar is the main sound coordinator, so if your looking for a repeat of what SAVIOUR 1 was like, your gonna be sadly mistaken. SAVIOUR 2 is a more advanced, progressive work that has a sound far more dynamic than the previous effort, so in essence S.M are not your typical sounding prog metal band. With that being said lets look at what I think are true highlights of SAVIOUR 2. 

Obviously, the self titled track of the album 'SAVIOUR MACHINE pt 1&2 are probably my favorite tracks on the album because they embody so well what SM wanted to do with their overall sound, which is again, lots of choirs and keyboards to showcase the band's newest editions and talents. Also, power ballads such as AMERICAN BABYLON, OVERTURE 1, LOVE NEVER DIES and  ASCENSION OF HEROS are enough to make a grown man cry due to how moving those tracks are both musically and lyrically. Lastly, the epic 17min THE STAND. This is a track that is sure to attack the senses with its Lyrical spit firing barrage From none other than E.C himself. Also, JEFF CLAYTON's guitar shines brightly on this track as well. Mainly though, if I may say, that really every single track On SM 2 are incredible. All 13 of them. It's an album that shines with great light from beginning to the end. S.M really prove just how musically advanced they truly are with S.M 2, although it may be more ballad laden and guitar stricken which may scare off some true prog-metal die hards, but I say to hell with that bogus line of thinking!  S.M still has a very dark edge and J.C's guitars kick in right when their needed, especially on the track ENTER THE IDOL. A perfect example of how S.M can win the hearts of any true prog metaller because more often than not metal heads want that Guitar grinding forth like a majestic steed on its way to the promise land. Ha ha. Yes indeed!

Lastly, S.M still carry their religious attitude and themes in the forefront to represent their band image and lyrical basis. The whole album is based on biblical themes and political aspects of religion with in war, questioning the difference between myth and legend and understanding the essence of time under the human condition, so don't think it's about hearts and unicorns. Hee hee. Also keep in mind that S.M are a Christian metal band, but the music and lyrics are not of that sappy convoluted  dribble, that you would find in most christian rock bands. S.M are not about being fool-hearty, silly and stringent fundamentalists. S.M are very real and they take a real dark approach to describing Christian religious Subject mater on a theological level. Needless to say SAVIOUR MACHINE are not a bunch of pussies whining about Jesus and all that other nonsense. Moreover, the album is perfect and I cannot stress how vital and important it is for anyone's prog collection. Please do not overlook this underrated gem. S.M 2 is masterpiece!

5/5  

***** SAVIOUR MACHINE: A Band that deserves respect and recognition             throughout the masses

    Ok. Well I don't often review albums,  but I feel in this case I must because Saviour Machine is freakin' incredible!!! Now before I get into the greatness that is Saviour 1, I must tell and admit that my feelings towards Goth music hasn't really been strong....until now. What you are getting, my dear proggers out there, is a band that combines the wonderful art of progressive Metal with goth and a touch of operatic sequences. However, in Saviour Machine 1 there is an element of thrash metal as well. This is highly evident in the Tracks, LUDICROUS SMILES-FORCE OF THE ENTITY and THE MASK. Make no mistake its all GOTH as well, so people who are not fans of the genre ( I feel sorry for you) beware. Anyway, the technical prowess exemplified in Saviour Machine's debut album is outstanding and highly underrated, which is why I feel Saviour Machine has not gotten the recognition and respect they deserve. To continue, JEFF CLAYTON is an amazing guitarist. He can play with such beautiful grace or decide to melt your face off by being riff rageous.  Evidence of that are shown in THE WICKED WINDOW and the ever beautiful goth ballad A WORLD ALONE. The drumming is excellent as well. SAMUEL WEST offers incredible rhythmic combinations that simply can paralyze the listener. Hypnotic purportions of that are shown on the ever popular, CARNIVAL OF SOULS and THE MASK. Now let's get to the fun part. Let's talk about the Performance of the infamous face of Saviour Machine, MR. ERIC CLAYTON. truely one of the best vocalist I've ever heard in my time on this planet. E.C offers rich, gripping as well as haunting vocals that soar ever so majestically into ones ear canal. He has such a great-deep baritone that is so hypnotic you can't help but love and let into your heart.  I feel that his best vocal performances in this album are on the tracks LEGION, A WORLD ALONE and the incredibly epic JESUS CHRIST. I am delighted to have discovered such a wonderful as well as a great group of talented musicians. Saviour Machine, for me, are the best in the business by far in the Gothic/Progressive Metal genre. There is no band better. I dare you to find me one. In conclusion, it is too bad that this wonderful band had this incredible album disbandoned in the U.S. Some of you out there may or may not know  that the politically charged lyrics in LEGION caused Saviour 1 to be banned in the U.S. unfortunately I can only laugh at those crazy religious fundamentalists out there who made this so. It is an incident that happened nearly 20 years ago, but I still say Shame on you, America! LEGION is such beautiful song to. I guess America can't take a Dragon sliding between their thighs. Ha ha. Anyway, this is a great album to buy and I highly recommend it, especially for the religious types as well, since the lyrical base is biblically charged. I am not religious, but I do enjoy the subject matter combined with the style of Saviour Machine's musical approach. It's a match made in heaven!!! If their is such a place. 

👊👊👊👊👊🙌. 

It seems that everything Saviour Machine did on their first three albums was leading to this point: the rawness and energy of "I", the dark, slow atmosphere of "II" and of course the orchestral epicness and Middle Eastern themes of "Legend Part I" all find their satisfaction on "Legend Part II", a true masterpiece in my eyes. The heavy gothic guitar leads and riffs, trademarks of Jeff Clayton's guitar playing almost drown in a chaotic ocean of classical drumming, various 19th century inspired string and horn orchestrations, partly dissonant choirs and bells, clips of apocalyptic news, Bible segments, echos, whispers, experimental synth sounds and the beautiful, unmistakable baritone voice of Eric Clayton. This kind of mixture of elements could have easily ended in a disaster, had it not been in such good hands as those of the SM guys. Instead what resulted is a unique album in which no part or song seems out of place. The almost 80 minutes just flow by as flashes of "the greatest tale ever told" are seen in musical vision as Babylon rises, the Antichrist and False Prophet take their place as leaders of the newly unified world , the martyrs cry for the blood spilled in their persecutions and finally a war occurs in Heaven and Satan is struck down to Earth. This is by no means an easy album to digest, for there is so much to hear and experience. Yet as they say "those who are patient shall receive the greatest rewards in the end". Behold, apocalypse!