Saviour Machine

Saviour Machine is an American Christian gothic 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.[1]

For the David Bowie song, see Saviour Machine (song).

Saviour Machine
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresSymphonic gothic metal, neoclassical metal, Christian metal
Years active1989–2012, 2017–present
MembersEric Clayton
Jeff Clayton
Charles Cooper
Nathan Van Hala
Past membersChris Fee
Dean Forsyth
Jayson Heart
Victor Deaton
Carl Johan Grimmark
Thomas Weinesjö
Samuel West

History

Formation and early years (1989–1993)

The band was formed by brothers Jeff and Eric Clayton in mid-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.

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[2] owing to its study of end-time 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 was released independently.[3] 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.[4]

Most of the lyrical content of the Legend series is based on the Book of Revelation and other Biblical prophecy.[2] The first album draws from the Old Testament and New Testament, except the Book of Revelation, and include biblical references and a concordance.[2] Legend II continues where part one ended - the rise of the antichrist.[2] 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 US, 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.

Re-union and plan for new release (2017–present)

According to an interview with Eric Clayton during Wacken Open Air 2017 as well as statements on the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the band, they are working on a new album to be released in the future. It will not be part of the Legend-trilogy, but follow the first two releases of the band.[5]

Discography
Year Title Label Other information
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 Records Review[6]
1998 Legend II MCM Music / Massacre Records Reviews[7][8]
2001 Legend III:I MCM Music Exclusive first pressing; Limited to 2001 hand-numbered copies
2002 Live in Deutschland 2002 MCM Music / Massacre Records 2 CD and 2 DVD; DVD includes re-release of Live in Deutschland 1995
2006 Rarities / Revelations Independent 4 CD; Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies signed by Eric Clayton

Members

Current members

  • Eric Clayton – vocals (1989–present)
  • Jeff Clayton – guitar (1989–present)
  • Nathan Van Hala – piano (1993–present)
  • Charles Cooper – bass (1995–present)
  • Samuel West – drums (1992–1993, 2011–present)

Former members

  • Chris Fee – drums (1989–1992)
  • Dean Forsyth – bass (1989–1995)
  • Jayson Heart – drums (1993–1999)
  • Victor Deaton – drums (2000–2001)
  • Carl Johan Grimmark – guitar (2001–2004)
  • Thomas Weinesjö – drums (2001–2004)

Timeline

References
  1. Ankeny, Jason (February 4, 2004). "Saviour Machine". Allmusic. Open Publishing. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  2. Macintosh, Dan (May–June 1997). "Saviour Machine". HM Magazine (65). ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on September 18, 2000. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  3. Brunner, David (August 11, 2006). "Eric Clayton im Interview". Sound7.de. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  4. Clayton, Eric (July 7, 2007). "Legend Part III:II". Sound7.de. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  5. "Eric Clayton - Wacken Press Conference 2017 - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  6. "Legend Part 1 by Saviour Machine, a review for The Phantom Tollbooth by Jeremy Choi". www.tollbooth.org. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  7. "review by The Phantom Tollbooth". www.tollbooth.org. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. Van Pelt, Doug (July–August 1998). "Album Reviews: SAVIOUR MACHINE Legend Part II". HM Magazine (72). ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on July 13, 2001.
  • ^ "1". Deus Ex Machina. Archived from the original on October 25, 1997. Retrieved March 1, 2006.
  • ^ "2". Deus Ex Machina. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
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