Customer Reviews

Saviour Machine II

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being relatively new to the band, I nonetheless found Saviour Machine II to be an incredibly epic, not to mention depressing, journey into the cacaphony of modernism, backed by a(n) deeply philosophical and thealogical idealism, expressed as much by the music as it is by the lyrics. While nonetheless retaining a feel of prog, SM borrows readily more from Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Queen than the ilk of power/progressive metal demonstrated by bands such as the usual Fates Warning, Dream Theater, as well as Shadow Gallery and Symphony X. Shades of Queensryche show up in two of the thicker tracks ("Enter the Idol" and "Hunger Circle") also. The band's playing is not so much incredible, rather unique, with high strung guitars, deep and soaring vocals, numerous piano interludes, etc. I'm not a Christian myself, but nonetheless found the album to be deep beyond belief...certainly recommended, but by no means to everyone. Tread the path of Saviour Machine carefully - the results may differ :)

Saviour machine is one of those bands that in the national spotlight, never get the attention they deserve. In a world of Britney Spears, N'Sync, DMX & Limp Bizkit, they stand out as a truly refreshing concoction of Metal, Classical, & even (gulp) Opera music. But WAIT! Before you stop there with that funny look on your face, read the rest of this review. This is not Metallica's S&M with Pavarotti singing the lead vocals, ok? Try to hear in your mind a mix of old Queensryche, mixing with John Williams or Wagner (the classical composer) & throwing in a voice with Bowie-ish quality but stronger & more classically trained. Add to that some samples & "special effect" soundbytes & that is about as close as I can come to describing what they sound like, and that's not even totally accurate! They are truly unique, they cannot be lumped in with any ONE band stylistically or even lyrically. The main theme of their songs (or compositions), tell the story of the Apocalypse, the backwardness of our world, & the glory of Christ. Songs like American Babylon, & The Stand are big standouts on the album, although they're all good. The only one I didn't care much for was Hunger Circle. Marilyn Manson is gen-X shock rock, this is REAL gothic music. Check out their website (their name .com), and get all their albums (Saviour Machine, & Legend I & II), they're wonderful & something different for your pallate. Out this July, Legend III (pt. 1 of a 2-disc set) It will be their Magnum Opus, no doubt.

More innovative and self-assured than SM1, a harbinger of what is to come in Legend Three, what we have heard in "Behold, a Pale Horse," some of the best SM I have ever beheld. This is the measuring rod by which other bands (thus creating for themselves a 'genre' where none before existed) attempt to evaluate their worth. The beauty of the message is Truth embodied in the constancy and mystery of the Divine; Eric Clayton leads us with a virtuosity greater than before through the second Legend...

...from one of the greatest bands in rock history. That's no exaggeration. It's true that this band has been criminally overlooked in the US, but appearantly they're pretty popular in Europe. There should be a law against intelligent music fans NOT listening to and loving Saviour Machine. I could write a book on how awesome this band is. Musically they blend Goth, Darkwave, Prog, Classical, Middle Eastern and Opera influences perfectly and without sounding too pretentious. Sort of like a mix of The Nephilim, early King Crimson, The Cure, early Genesis, Dead Can Dance, Beethoven, David Bowie, and epic film sountracks. It's understandable how they'd be over the heads of most "hot topic kids" but true goths, prog geeks and maybe even metalheads should drool over this band. Yes, they are christians, but they're not POD or DC Talk. They're dark, poetic, passionate, intelegent, artsy and enigmatic. Absolutely one of the most brilliant bands around.

The first CD I listened from Saviour Machine was Legend II and since that time they became my favorite group. I almost cry when I listen to this CD, it blows my mind and I admire the talent of this group for making music so perfect and beautiful, along with the incredible voice of Eric Clayton this is how music must be done for God, perfect in every way. I highly recommend this and any CD from Saviour Machine to all the people who likes good rock opera music.

This is probably the most pretentious CD I have ever heard, and in addition to that it acually sports lyrics about the pleasures of Christianity... This alone should make me run away screaming, but strangely enough I absolutely ADORE this CD, which contain the perfect mix of the Gothic sounds of f.ex. Fields of the Nephilim/Sisters of Mercy and the more Symphonic/Progressive sound of f.ex. Queensr˙che/Savatage. On top of that, vocalist Eric Clayton, has a voice that brigdes the gap between these two musical genres in the most grandiose and dramatic way, with his larger-than-life, glorious tenor-voice. The CD is massive, and contain over 70 minutes of sacred music; the cornerstone track "The Stand" alone clocks in at 16 minutes! Pretentious, yes, but heartfelt and luckily not that preachy...

(The ongoing Saviour Machine trilogy "Legends, Part I,II,III:I & II", a HUGE concept concerning the Apocalypse, should be sought out at ANY expence... This is Saviour Machine's descent into total darkness as they musically approach "the last of days", and depict the final struggle between God and Lucifer.... Like Elend's masterpiece "The Umbersum", this is totally sinister and gloomy music, albeit, unlike Elend, on God's side..)

Savior Machine is honestly one of the most creative and imaganative bands in the Christian culture. There is no other band that displays their originality or style.

If you're not familiar with Saviour Machine they play a highly artistic style of gothic rock headed by a singer that sounds like an ultra-melodramatic David Bowie. They mix together a combination of musical styles, including goth, metal, prog, classical, middle eastern, opera and film soundtrack. They're dark, yes, but at the same time inspiring and spiritual; they're also poetic, passionate, intelligent, artsy and enigmatic, as an Amazon reviewer accurately described them. Another reviewer properly described singer Eric Clayton, as "larger-than-life." In other words, whether you like Eric's vocal style or not, you gotta admit that he powerfully puts every fiber of his being into his work.

Whereas Saviour Machine's self-titled debut was incredibly manic in nature, Saviour Macine II is decidedly more laid-back and haunting. One could even say that II is the express opposite of I even while remaining the same style of music. For this reason Saviour Machine I and II wonderfully compliment each other. Both are essential if you want the complete Saviour Machine experience.

This is the type of music where you just press 'play' and enjoy, so citing favorites is a bit unnecessary. But if I was backed up against a wall I'd list "The Gates," "Enter the Idol," "The Hunger Circle" and "American Babylon" as favorites ("The Gates" is really just a 30-second intro to "Enter the Idol").

I didn't listen to this CD until I first digested the debut offering. Because of this I was a bit perplexed and put-off by how different it was. I slowly became enlightened to its own unique beauty and genius, however. I now savor Saviour Machine II with just as much appreciation as I (pun intended).

My favorite Saviour Machine recording is still the brilliant Legend III:I (actually, I put I, II and Legend III:I on about the SAME plane, with Legend III:I slightly edging out the other two). If you don't have Legend III:I sell everything you have and obtain it! Although you'll hear an occasional power chord on I and II, Legend III:I overtly features crunchy riffs on a fairly frequent basis.

Now, could someone please tell me when Legend III:II is going to be released? (You just KNOW it's going to be magnificent!) How LONG do we have to wait?!

Wow!
This is great!
I've heard this cd so many times through the years and it just keeps getting better. The music is really dark, beutiful and moving but still uplifting!
I really like the feeling in these songs and the lyrics are great.
Wether you like Saviour Machine or not this is a must buy!
I won't forget to mention that this is the EARLY Saviour Machine.
No distorted guitars!
More piano, melodic guitar playing and some amazing vocals.

Saviour machine is in my mind undoubtedly the greatest band of all time. This is their album that focuses on orchestration the most. Every song uses piano throughout, while the guitars are less overwhelming here than on their earlier release. Eric Clayton's voice is starting to show more signs of maturity on this album, although his greatest potential is not reached until the Legend trilogy. American Babylon is the best song, starting off with light piano and Eric's beautiful operatic voice. It slowly builds in intensity until it completely explodes with pounding drums and heavy guitars. It makes me want to cry whenever I hear it. Overall, a beautiful album with plenty of piano, strings, and operatic vocals. For fans of early dead can dance and dream theatre, sort of a mix between the two, although that isn't the best example. You have to hear this to believe it.