Customer Reviews

Legend Pt.3:1

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The year 2001 hasn't been a vintage year music-wise... sure there has been a handful of good releases by band honing their specific musical style with success, but as far as real masterpeices, nothing really comes to mind this year...

That is, except "Legend, Part III:I"... Sure, like mentioned above, Saviour Machine has also honed their already unique musical style with this latest release in their ongoing "Apolyptic Trilogy", but they also bring a artistic level of class to the mix, both in the conceptual, lyrical and musical sense, that warrants the elusive tag : "Masterpeice!"

Overall, the whole "feel" of this release has to be adressed... decidedly sombre, sinister, yet at the same time sacral, grand and larger-than-life sounding, which fits the lyrical content perfectly... Moreover, this release, unlike the previous "Legend" releases, tend to be based more on actual song-structures, as opposed to especially "Legends, part II", who seemed more dense, "industrial sounding", and, dare I say, atonal in its attemt to create the "soundscape" nesessary to depict the specific part in the Book of Revelation, it was commenting on.

"Legend, Part III:I" seem to be more akin to the "Saviour Machine II" release, with it's more melodic, song-oriented structure, but of course augmented with the right amount of orchestral splendour, i.e. choir-arrangments, military snare drums, orchestral keyboards et al, befitting the lyrical content.

Well, delving into the actual matrix of the album, it starts with the beautiful "twelve hundred sixty days", where you wish the chorus would last forever... You can't help finding yourself singing along at the top of your lungs...
After a short, but sublime angelic intro ("Legend III:I")the first epic, moody "ballad", "The ancient Serpent" begins.... A chilling, hauntingly beautiful track... Awesome!!

Hereafter follows my favorite track of the album, "Abomination of desolation", which starts with the most victorious sounding choir singing, I have heard this side of a Bach oratorium!! (I can imagine a huge choir sing "We have made a covenant with death" in a german church, would have brought on some controvercy?!?) Then the track turns into the heaviest on the album, with a sinister hook-line... Chilling!!

Next highlight (Hmmm... there are actually nothing but highlights...) is "Antichrist III : The king of Babylon", which, perhaps, is to be considered to be the conceptual corner-stone track of the album; a collossal, text-dense track with a dramatic "feel" to it... Epic indeed, but never uncalled for!!

After a few more "soundscape", mood-creating tone-poem type tracks, "The Locusts" sets in with it's gloomy, dark-melodic tale of biblical plague presented in a creepy, dirge-like slow-winding gothic fasion...

The ending trilogy of tracks "The Plague and the darkness", "The fall of Babylon" and "The end of the age" brings the album to a stunning close in victorious, yet at the same time, melancholic way. Almost 80 minutes of genious music, where the level of greatness at no point drops below absolute brilliance!!

Credit has to go to Eric Clayton for his unique vision and stamina to actually dare even contemplating actually pulling it off... Not to mention his glorious singing, which is beyond words.. The production of the album has to be mentioned as well... Everything sounds just awesome; more detailed and dynamic than on, say, "Legend, Part II" and the choir arrangements, done in a german church, blends in wholly natural.
The drum are also better produced this time around, and the new drummer must get credit, as he "drives" the music forth more than the previous guy.

...And of cause Nathan Van Hala on orchestra keyboards must also get the highest praise...

I don't consider myself to be a believer in any sense of the word, least of all in the Christian sense, but even I can appreciate a vision like Eric Claytons, especially when it is carried out this consistent, and in an un-preachy, descriptive way, I might add....

Looking forward to the last chapter in the Trilogy...

Untill then get this!!!

Album of the year anno 2001 !!!

They've done it again! Saviour Machine continues to impress upon its listeners/fans both the terror and the majesty of the end of the age. Legend III:I opens up with "Twelve Hundred Sixty Days" pointing out the time span in which the Antichrist will reign in absolute power and the world will face tribulation the likes of which it has never, nor will ever see again. The following tracks take you on a trip marking the time of the "Two Witnesses", the "Image of the Beast" (which is a fantastic track full of plenty of heavy guitar and a chilling part in which Eric Clayton, playing the role of the beast, sings..."God is dead, His angels bleed, inside my dreams. Bow to thee, kneel before your violent King, all shall worship, me."), the album concludes appropriately with "The End of the Age". Each song and album really is a unique facet of the entire story of the Legend Trilogy, which of course gets its inspiration and storyline directly out of the Word of God. This one is not the dark, chaotic symphony of Legend II, nor the more straight-forward (yet classic and timeless) Legend I. It is a perfect combination of the two and takes on its own personality as well. Blending both melodic and beautiful orchestral movements and dramatic, metal riffing and drums. Musically, there's no other band out there that sounds like Saviour Machine, love 'em or hate 'em there's no denying their originality. This is only part 1 of 2 for the final recordings of the Legend series. Legend III:II is scheduled for release around Christmas time 2001. There's credible evidence to support many fans' theories on its "Happy Ending" theme because, after all, it will be a happy ending for the children of God. We can only anticipate the next release & know that Saviour Machine will once again astound their fans with a CD that was well worth the wait.

[...] Saviour Machine with this record solidifies themselves as one of (if not THE) premier rock bands in the world. PLUS, the WORD of GOD is taught in their lyrics. Even if you are totally unfamiliar with the Legend series of records (actually one concept spread out over several years of releases), you will immediately be smacked with the epic "1260 days" upon playing this CD. You will hear all that you love about Queensryche, Therion, Pink Floyd, Evereve, Savatage, Dream Theater, the Gathering, Moonspell, goth rock, black metal, movie soundtracks, etc. etc. etc.
Much more "metal" than predecesor Legend 2 (which I also love), the guitars and drums are very much in the foreground, but when the majestic acoustic guitars of "Legend 3:1/The Ancient Serpent" play, you know there is something more to this band. The most haunting choral refrain of "O Lucifer" will never, ever leave your mind. "The final holocaust" will rend your heart with emotion as it could be found on only the best film score. The choral arrangements and actual orchestra will demonstrate the seriousness with which Saviour Machine plays and which is required to truely Listen. "The Locusts" pound with a pure MeTaL march - guitar heaviness which surprised even me, supported by the classical music instruments in the backgound. Then comes my personal favorites, the climax of this masterpiece, "Rivers of Blood" and "The plague and the darkness". There are just so many components of music and emotion and pure sound in these songs; so expertly done are they presented that words fail me.
I really do try and find weaknesses with every CD I listen to, I am still trying with Legend 3:1. All I can tell you is that the LORD JESUS has annointed my hearing of this music, weather you accept HIM or not, buy this record. You will not be let down.

"Legend III:I" (2001) is the fifth studio release from Christian progressive/gothic metal band Saviour Machine. Here they continue their premillennialist, mid-tribulation take on Christian eschatology.

The Legend albums have shared musical elements. In the past it's worked well, but here it often feels like a retreading of old material. There's a distinct sense of "been there, done that" on many tracks.

By and large, the songs on Legend III:I tend to be slow and synth- and rhythm guitar-driven. There are some standout tracks here, including "The Ancient Serpent" and "The End of the Age", but there's quite a bit here that's not all that interesting. The album spends a lot of time, especially in the middle, just chugging along.

Saviour Machine's musicians, as always, are technically solid. They've added the excellent guitarist Carl Johan Grimmark (who seems to be everywhere these days) Eric Clayton is, as usual, in fine form, although he really doesn't give himself much to do here.

All in all, this is a solid release, but it doesn't show the creativity of their previous albums.

Without knowing anything at all about Saviour Machine, I took a risk and picked up Legend III:I last February (it looked interesting) -- boy, was I ever blown away! What assaulted my ears was ambitious, artistic, epic, powerful, dark, sobering, intelligent, spiritual and beautiful -- with a lot of Mid-Eastern styled melodies!

Legend III:I, it turns out, is the third in a series of concept albums on the biblical book of Revelation (don't worry you don't need the first two to appreciate this work). Saviour Machine is truly unique. It's hard to think of other bands/works that sound anything like them; but if backed against a wall I'd say this recording kind of reminds me of My Dying Bride crossed with Therion. The heavy guitars aren't as frequent as on My Dying Bride's material but it's definitely there (in fact, I picked up most of Saviour Machine's catalog and, it turns out, this is their first recording utilizing heavy guitars -- good thing).

There's a lot to this recording; it's very layered; there's no way you can digest it all in one sitting. As you listen to it favorite songs start to surface:

The first song "Twelve-Hundred-Sixty Days" is a nice piano-oriented intro to the recording, kinda reminds me of My Dying Bride's "Sear Me (1993)"; "Revelation 13" is a cool epical & moving prog-rock track; "Legend III:I/The ancient Serpent" is a melodically memorable acoustic-oriented piece; "Abomination of Desolation" has a cool Iron Maiden drive to it; "Four Trumpets" is a mesmerizingly repetitive number properly paving the way for the heavy (and simple) guitar driven "The Locusts."

I picked up their previous "Legend II" and would have to say that "III:I" is far superior in that it has recognizable songs and nice heavy guitar work; "Legend II" is more like one continuous song for 80 minutes with no heavy guitars (but, don't get me wrong, "Legend II" is brilliant -- pick it up if you can).

Although I'm a fan of all of Saviour Machine's works, this, to my mind, is their crowning achievement. Make no mistake, this is epic music of the highest order! A nice addition is the powerful sleeve artwork & design.

Saviour Machine is an inexplicably fairly unknown band; it is my prediction that "Legend III:I" will become a legendary underground cult favorite in metal/rock circles(pun intended).

I stumbled across the "Legend" series in a Christian bookstore. Saviour Machine plays out the Endtimes over four albums. Fear not, this is not standard Christian music; it actually has electric guitars, drums, AND dashes of industrial. A rough idea: Queensryche presents Jesus Christ Superstar.

Eric Clayton's "Unofficial Soundtrack for The End of The World" is ambitious, and rooted in scripture. His voice rocks, the sparse guitars are effective, the choir is haunting, and the unusual chord changes provide some menace. Lyrically, there ARE inherent limits, so Clayton pretty much stays on the message of "The Antichrist has come" and "This is the last hour." You'll either tire of the lyrical sameness, or the sheer surprise of "Christian goth-metal opera" will keep you engaged.

There are some musical passages that pop up in different keys from "Legend I" and "Legend II." When it works, it gives the whole thing strong continuity. When it doesn't, it sounds like the band is in a rut.

This album has more of a metal style, whereas "Legend II" had more industrial flavor. "Twelve-Hundred-Sixty Days" is a strong piano-metal opener. "Legend III:I" and "The Ancient Serpent" are beautiful, gentle songs. "Image of The Beast" would fit perfectly on the nu-metal soundtrack to "Queen of The Damned." "The Dead Sea" sounds like Enya in an evil moment.

Four stars for the music. Ten stars for bringing the allure and energy of secular music to a genre whose songs have so often been...well, sleep-inducing. If you like it, you'll play the ......HECK out of it. If you don't, you'll wonder if this is what Spinal Tap's "The Gospel According to Spinal Tap" might have sounded like. Me, I'm still playing the heck out of it.

Saviour Machine is one of those rare bands that improves with each album and yet the previous album remains a top favorite.

This is their latest album. Compared to Legend one and two, three:one is more heavier and guitar oriented. Eric Clayton knows how to change between the albums and yet keep them distinct from the previous albums and yet not take away from any of them and knows how to add to them, to make them superior.

The style of Saviour Machine is Opera/gothic/rock/heavy metal/classical mix. There is something for everyone in these albums. As a musician Eric is nothing short of a genius. As I understand he had no or little knowledge of music when he started, and yet he has created some of the best albums of music!

The atmosphere of this album goes up and down, one song will be piano driven then he will move to a more classical driven song then move into a heavy song and then lower the tempo again and go back up on it. The album is like riding a wave each song leads into the next one and soon 80 minutes have passed and you are wanting to surf the wave again.

The first song: Twelve Hundred Sixty Days is a piano song and the last song: The End Of The Age is a piano song. So he takes you back to where he started.

This album is a classic and should be appreciated by those who really love music.

I for one am happy that Eric decided to split up the third part of the legend trilogy...this gives us one more record to wait for! Legend III:I is decidedly more metal than the two previous Legend releases. The gothic elements are still strong, especially later on the album, but the guitar becomes a more prominent element in this release. The song structure is much more straight forward than on Legend II, even though the amount of layering is amazing. Strings, piano, choirs, are used throughout the album, adding to the emotions. The tone is more sombre than on the previous Legends as well.

The production level on this album is definitely a step up from previous releases. It all sounds much crisper. The drums are also stepped up a bunch more, and the guitar crunches are much heavier. CarlJohan of Narnia fame plays on this album as well as a guest, adding some great solos and higher pitched elements, adding more diversity to the sound. Dark and heavy at the same time is the best way to describe this album. "Apocalyptic gothic rock opera." But still, that doesn't do it justice.

While most songs are medium tempo, this album never gets boring. The first track starts off with just piano and turns into a rock-opera masterpiece. Then the album goes through metal songs, some more laid back songs with great acoustic guitar (courtesy of CarlJohan), and songs like "The Final Holocaust" which features just strings, a choir, and the operactic vocals of Eric Clayton. Some instrumental track later on "The Dead Sea" and "Three Angels" are quite unique for Saviour Machine, feature darker programming. And the final four tracks all tie together in such apocalyptic glory that it's almost overwhelming. Familar themes from the other Legends are present in certain songs as well, making it still feel like a trilogy, even though each album is wildly different.

Overall, this album is the most mature from the band to date. I can't wait for the release of Legend III:II...I'm expecting it to be the band's best! While you're waiting, pick up this release...but make sure you give it a few listens before deciding. Most people I know had to listen at least 5 times before fully appreciating it...it's too overwhelming to completely comprehend after one listen. Enjoy!

The two best tracks on this CD in my opinion are the Two Witnesses and The End Of The Age...what a great set up for the final chapter in a decade long musical masterpiece. A must have for anyone who is into operatic Goth and apocalyptic themes.

Saviour Machine is the best band in the world! Every single CD they come up with is a masterpiece. Although this cd is not as great as Legend II it's still a winner. Every time I listen to this albums I can't help crying of excitement and joy. They've helped me understand a little more the book of Revelation and the end time prophecies. I truly recommend it to everyone.