Vader | Kansas City, MO. United States | 06/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
2nd masterpiece...
Crypt | Arkham | 01/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...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."
Dark, Beutiful, Uplifting, Powerful and emotional!
Simon Berggren | Kiruna, Sweden | 12/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
The Antithesis of Saviour Machine I
- Durrkk | Ohio/PA border USA | 07/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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?!"
II rivals I
Paul J. Evans | 10/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saviour Machine I gives an excellent debut of how they do "Rock/Heavy metal" II shows how they can tone it down and still show how good they really are.
Saviour Machine II lyrics are some of the best ever written. They make you think and then they make you take a stand on that! After hearing some of the songs you have to ask yourself, what did that mean? When you listen to the Epic Song "The Stand" you have to go back and listen to it and then your have to do it again, your mind will ask the question "what does this song mean" and then you realize just how brilliant Eric Clayton is when it comes to writing songs.
One of the most pointed questions in the album is at the end of the last song "Saviour Machine II" when it ask: "Do you see the light of the Saviour inside this Machine?" Is it a play on their own name or is it a genuine question they ask of everyone who listens to them? They want you to answer that question and they invite you to listen to them again, as the intro to the album is replayed at the end of the album. They take you to the end and to show you the beginning."