Saviour Machine is an American Christian metal 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.
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 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 after at a local White Castle restaurant to show their continued support.
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.
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 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.
Despite these statements, Saviour Machine's homepage went offline in 2013. Saviour Machine's Facebook page, which had received regular updates through 2012, also went inactive during 2013, and subsequently was taken down in 2014. Eric Clayton officially retired Saviour Machine as a band and the whole unfinished Legend project in the same year.
Former members
Timeline
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 |
1998 | Legend II | MCM Music / Massacre Records | Reviews |
2001 | Legend III:I | MCM Music | Exclusive first pressing; Limited to 2,001 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 |
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