Saviour Machine
Encyclopedia
Saviour Machine is an American Christian metal
band that formed in 1989. They have released five studio albums and two live albums on Frontline and subsequently on MCM Music, distributed through Massacre Records
. Saviour Machine's music and lyrics deal with war, death, and personal introspection as it relates to prophecy and divine revelation.
in the summer of 1989. By the time of its first tour in 1993, the band was Eric Clayton - vocals, Jeff Clayton - guitars, Dean Forsyth - bass, Jayson Heart - drums, and Nathan Van Hala - keyboards. 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
.
In 1993, with the help of Deliverance frontman Jimmy P. Brown II, Saviour Machine signed with and released their first full-length album on Intense Records, an imprint of the Frontline subsidiary of Roadrunner Records
. Musically, the band developed a guitar
-driven rock music sound, featuring melodic riffs and extensive solos
by Jeff Clayton.
Despite critical acclaim from the mainstream press and a growing number of fans nationwide, people in some conservative circles reportedly felt threatened by Saviour Machine's lyrical direction and stage presentation, most prominently the white make-up and jewel worn by vocalist Eric Clayton. During their 1993 tour with metal
band Deliverance, the controversy spilled over at a concert at the New Union, a 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 the band shortly afterward at a local White Castle
restaurant to show their continued support.
Nathan Van Hala resulted in a classical music-based sound. Many songs featured piano
compositions and keyboard
orchestration
. Charles Cooper also joined the band at this time after Dean Forsyth left.
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 deal with Massacre Records
, a German label that specializes in death metal and other heavy/extreme music. Saviour Machine was given full creative control on all future projects.
Multiple tours of Europe
followed in 1995 and 1996. During a 1995 performance at Owen Teck Rocknight, a 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. It was after this tour that the membership of Saviour Machine changed with the replacement of Jeff Clayton by Joshua. They performed at Wacken Open Air
festival in 1997.
Biblical prophecy
. 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. The studio composition of the band stayed the same through "Legend II" after which Jeff Clayton and Jayson Heart left the band. Legend III:I
was released in 2001. 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. 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 released samples of rough mixes of each song on Legend III:II on SeventhCircle.net throughout July.
Most of the lyrical content of the Legend series is based on the Book of Revelation
and other Biblical prophecy
. The first album draws from the Old Testament
and New Testament
, except the Book of Revelation
, and include biblical references and a concordance
. Legend II continues where part one ended - the rise of the antichrist
. Musically, the Legend albums showcase a further refinement of Saviour Machine's rock and classical music style.
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.
In 2011 the band announced on their website that they will perform acoustic, unmasked shows in US and Germany.
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band that formed in 1989. They have released five studio albums and two live albums on Frontline and subsequently on MCM Music, distributed through Massacre Records
Massacre Records
Massacre Records is an independent record label based in Abstatt, Germany.The label was founded in 1991 by Torsten Hartmann. The label is specialized on bands of the harder varieties of metal...
. Saviour Machine's music and lyrics deal with war, death, and personal introspection as it relates to prophecy and divine revelation.
Formation and early years (1989 - 1993)
The band was formed by brothers Jeff and Eric ClaytonEric Clayton
Eric Clayton is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known for his work in the influential gothic symphonic metal group Saviour Machine which he formed with his brother Jeff Clayton in 1989...
in the summer of 1989. By the time of its first tour in 1993, the band was Eric Clayton - vocals, Jeff Clayton - guitars, Dean Forsyth - bass, Jayson Heart - drums, and Nathan Van Hala - keyboards. The band took its name from a song on the David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
album The Man Who Sold the World
The Man Who Sold the World
The Man Who Sold the World is the third studio album by David Bowie. It was originally released on Mercury Records in November 1970 in the United States and in April 1971 in the UK. The album was Bowie's first with the nucleus of what would become the "Spiders from Mars", the backing band made...
. Saviour Machine recorded and released their first demos in 1990. A theatrical stage show featuring pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
, images projected onto a background screen and other props attracted a growing fan base in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
.
In 1993, with the help of Deliverance frontman Jimmy P. Brown II, Saviour Machine signed with and released their first full-length album on Intense Records, an imprint of the Frontline subsidiary of Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
. Musically, the band developed a guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
-driven rock music sound, featuring melodic riffs and extensive solos
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
by Jeff Clayton.
Despite critical acclaim from the mainstream press and a growing number of fans nationwide, people in some conservative circles reportedly felt threatened by Saviour Machine's lyrical direction and stage presentation, most prominently the white make-up and jewel worn by vocalist Eric Clayton. During their 1993 tour with metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
band Deliverance, the controversy spilled over at a concert at the New Union, a 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 the band shortly afterward at a local White Castle
White Castle (restaurant)
White Castle is an American regional fast food hamburger restaurant chain in the Midwestern United States and in the New York metropolitan area, and the first of its kind in the US. It is known for its small, square hamburgers. Sometimes referred to as "sliders", the burgers were priced at five...
restaurant to show their continued support.
Studio transition (1994 - 1996)
Confusion and political upheaval at Intense/Frontline led to less-than-ideal conditions for the recording of the band's next album in 1994, Saviour Machine II. Musically, the addition of pianistPianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Nathan Van Hala resulted in a classical music-based sound. Many songs featured piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
compositions and keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
orchestration
Orchestration
Orchestration is the study or practice of writing music for an orchestra or of adapting for orchestra music composed for another medium...
. Charles Cooper also joined the band at this time after Dean Forsyth left.
With the release of Saviour Machine II the band began to pursue new representation. A growing following had developed in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, particularly in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. 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 deal with Massacre Records
Massacre Records
Massacre Records is an independent record label based in Abstatt, Germany.The label was founded in 1991 by Torsten Hartmann. The label is specialized on bands of the harder varieties of metal...
, a German label that specializes in death metal and other heavy/extreme music. Saviour Machine was given full creative control on all future projects.
Multiple tours of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
followed in 1995 and 1996. During a 1995 performance at Owen Teck Rocknight, a music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
in Owen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Saviour Machine recorded their first live album. Live in Deutschland, released in 1995, featured selections from Saviour Machine I and Saviour Machine II. It was after this tour that the membership of Saviour Machine changed with the replacement of Jeff Clayton by Joshua. They performed at Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
festival in 1997.
The Legend trilogy (1997 - 2007)
Saviour Machine next turned to the Legend trilogy. Legend was advertised as "the unofficial soundtrack to the end of the world" in promotional materials owing to its study of end-timeEnd times
The end time, end times, or end of days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions...
Biblical prophecy
Bible prophecy
Bible prophecy or biblical prophecy is the prediction of future events based on the action, function, or faculty of a prophet. Such passages are widely distributed throughout the Bible, but those most often cited are from Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew 24, Matthew 25, and Revelation.Believers in biblical...
. 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. The studio composition of the band stayed the same through "Legend II" after which Jeff Clayton and Jayson Heart left the band. Legend III:I
Legend III:I
Legend III:I is the fifth album by the gothic Christian metal band Saviour Machine.-Track listing:# "Twelve Hundred Sixty Days" - 7:26# "Revelation 13" - 6:08# "Legend III:I" - 1:15# "The Ancient Serpent" - 4:06# "Abomination of Desolation" - 4:39...
was released in 2001. 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. 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 released samples of rough mixes of each song on Legend III:II on SeventhCircle.net throughout July.
Most of the lyrical content of the Legend series is based on the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
and other Biblical prophecy
Bible prophecy
Bible prophecy or biblical prophecy is the prediction of future events based on the action, function, or faculty of a prophet. Such passages are widely distributed throughout the Bible, but those most often cited are from Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew 24, Matthew 25, and Revelation.Believers in biblical...
. The first album draws from the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
and New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, except the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
, and include biblical references and a concordance
Concordance (publishing)
A concordance is an alphabetical list of the principal words used in a book or body of work, with their immediate contexts. Because of the time and difficulty and expense involved in creating a concordance in the pre-computer era, only works of special importance, such as the Vedas, Bible, Qur'an...
. Legend II continues where part one ended - the rise of the antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
. Musically, the Legend albums showcase a further refinement of Saviour Machine's rock and classical music style.
Saviour Machine has performed a limited number of concerts in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
since undertaking the Legend trilogy. A second live album was released in 2002, again featuring a performance from Owen Teck Rocknight in Owen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Live in Deutschland 2002 featured selections from Legend I, Legend II and Legend III:I.
Current status
Eric Clayton has repeatedly stated that Saviour Machine's work will end upon the completion of the Legend trilogy. In a video message created on September 3, 2009, Eric stated that despite his frail health he is doing quite well and plans to release segments from a journal he has been keeping since 1997. He said that the excerpts will likely serve as his final interview.In 2011 the band announced on their website that they will perform acoustic, unmasked shows in US and Germany.
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Saviour Machine (demo) | Independent | Re-released on MCM Music in 1997 |
| 1993 | Saviour Machine I Saviour Machine I Saviour Machine I is the 1993 debut album of the American metal band Saviour Machine. In 2010, HM Magazine ranked it #72 on the Top 100 Christian metal albums of all time list.-Recording history:... |
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 Records | Review: The Phantom Tollbooth |
| 1998 | Legend II | MCM Music / Massacre Records | Reviews: The Phantom Tollbooth, HM Magazine |
| 2001 | Legend III:I Legend III:I Legend III:I is the fifth album by the gothic Christian metal band Saviour Machine.-Track listing:# "Twelve Hundred Sixty Days" - 7:26# "Revelation 13" - 6:08# "Legend III:I" - 1:15# "The Ancient Serpent" - 4:06# "Abomination of Desolation" - 4:39... |
MCM Music | Exclusive first pressing; Limited to 2001 hand-numbered 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 Rarities / Revelations (Saviour Machine album) This is the first rarities box set by the progressive rock band Saviour Machine. It was limited to 500 copies, each of them individually signed and numbered by Eric Clayton. It could be obtained exclusively at the official band site... |
Independent | 4CD; Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies signed by Eric Clayton |
Current members
- Eric ClaytonEric ClaytonEric Clayton is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known for his work in the influential gothic symphonic metal group Saviour Machine which he formed with his brother Jeff Clayton in 1989...
- vocals - Charles Cooper - bass
- Carl Johan GrimmarkCarl Johan GrimmarkCarl Johan Grimmark is a Christian guitarist born in Gothenburg, Sweden October 14, 1977. He has appeared with several influential Christian metal bands including Narnia, Saviour Machine, and Rob Rock. He recently joined the band Beautiful Sin in 2006. He also has been a special guest guitarist on...
- guitar - Nathan Van Hala - piano
- Thomas Weinesjö - drums
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)
Side projects
- Eric Clayton appeared as "Reason" on Ayreon'sAyreonAyreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
2004 album, The Human EquationThe Human EquationThe Human Equation is the sixth album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released under the name Ayreon. It was released on May 25, 2004. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several musicians previously unrelated to the project, including James LaBrie of Dream Theater, Mikael...
, which also featured James LaBrieJames LaBrieKevin James LaBrie is a Canadian vocalist who is best known as the lead singer of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater.-Early life:...
, Mikael ÅkerfeldtMikael ÅkerfeldtLars Mikael Åkerfeldt is a Swedish musician who achieved fame as the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of progressive death metal band Opeth as well as the lead vocalist of death metal band Bloodbath. He was the vocalist and guitarist for the band Sörskogen and the guitarist of the band Steel...
and Devin TownsendDevin TownsendDevin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
, 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 OEva OEva Ortiz better known as Eva O is a music artist most notable for her previous works in Christian Death and a band she formed with her then husband Rozz Williams called Shadow Project...
's album, Damnation: Ride the Madness.
- Carl Johan Grimmark is the lead guitarist for NarniaNarnia (band)Narnia is a Christian neo-classical progressive power metal band founded by guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark and singer Christian Liljegren. The band formed in Sweden in 1996. Their album themes heavily reference The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis....
and also performs with Rob RockRob RockRobert Rock is a heavy metal singer and songwriter. He is best known for being the lead singer of the band Impellitteri from 1992 to 2000, and now in 2008. He has also released four albums as a solo artist.-Biography:...
.
- Nathan Van Hala currently plays keyboards for The Fur Traders. Past projects include Eagle Winged Palace, West Indian GirlWest Indian GirlWest Indian Girl is a rock band from Los Angeles.The band's name comes from a type of lysergic acid that was popular in the early 60s. The initials are also a reference to Robert James' and Francis Ten's previous band, "WIG"- History :...
, X-electra, Shadow ProjectShadow ProjectShadow Project were a deathrock band formed in the early 1990s with Rozz Williams, Eva O and Paris Sadonis. The band's first album included bassist Jill Emery and drummer Thomas Morgan....
, and Strychnine Kiss, for whom he was the vocalist and primary songwriter.
- Thomas Weinesjö is the drummer for Veni DomineVeni DomineVeni Domine is a Christian progressive doom metal band. The band was founded in 1987 in Sollentuna, Sweden.Veni Domine combines down-tempo melodic heavy metal, symphonic metal and doom metal with occasional touches of gothic. Originally, the vocalist Fredrik Ohlsson represented operatic,...
.
- 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 album "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 KeaggyPhil KeaggyPhil Keaggy is an American acoustic and electric guitarist and vocalist who has released more than 50 albums and contributed to many more recordings in both the contemporary Christian music and mainstream markets...
.
- Former drummer Sam West is currently a member of StavesacreStavesacreStavesacre was an American rock band from Huntington Beach, California formed in 1995. The band was composed of vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarists Jeff Bellew and Ryan Dennee, bassist Dirk Lemmenes and drummer Sam West....
, and previously performed with Scaterd FewScaterd FewScaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
and The Violet BurningThe Violet BurningThe Violet Burning is an independent rock and roll band based in Long Beach, USA. The band was formed in 1990 in Orange County, California by Michael J. Pritzl....
.
- 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 song The Great Fall of Man.