SAVIOUR MACHINE II

This second CD from SAVIOUR MACHINE doesn't differ that much from their debut CD "Saviour Machine" from 1993. The music is still well performed ambient, Goth and opera influenced progressive metal. I can't see any progress at all between the first and this second CD. The music on this CD could easily be from the first. It is still hard to hear any difference between the songs as they are all very reminiscent to each other. Good or bad, I'll leave it up to you to decide.

The essencial thing about this album, is that it's a second part of a first one(not envolving so much differences on goal), it's perfect like the first but it have prog influence not prog at all, gothic vein is stronger than progressive vein on this release, so if you're searching gothic/prog with opera parts here is what you were lookin' for.

I was full of praise after listening to Saviour Machine´s debut album and I gave that one 4 stars and I´m still considering if it´s a true masterpiece and if I will upgrade it to 5 stars. Saviour Machine´s second album is a bit different as it is not as accessible as the debut ( which wasn´t very accessible either), but on repeated listens it grows on you to the point where you have to surrender to the wonderful dark emotions Saviour Machine produce. This band is really something special. I have actually known about Saviour Machine for many years and I have owned this second album since 1999. I never really took the time to try and understand Saviour Machine´s music though as I found it too trivial. Eric Clayton´s voice was also a bit of an obstical to get over, as it is very extreme. Not that it isn´t beautiful and melodic, but his baritone operatic David Bowie croon can be hard pill to swallow for the whole duration of the album, which is 76:27 minutes long. Let´s face it, 76:27 minutes is very long for any album and most albums that are this long becomes boring at some point. I felt tired after listening to this album the first many times, but suddenly I was drawn in, and as one of the few albums that have this length it never bores me and what is even more important there are no fillers.

Even though Saviour Machine is in the progressive metal catagory here on Prog Archives there really isn´t much metal about them. Yes there are distorted guitars but they are not that dominant. What dominates the instrumental side of this album is the piano playing from Nathan Van Hala, who was added to the lineup for this album. The lead guitar melodies played by Eric´s brother Jeff Clayton that very much dominated the debut are also a big part of Saviour Machine´s sound here on the second album, but they are not as dominant as on the debut. This is in fact the big difference between the two albums. The songs are still very symphonic prog rock/ metal songs which are build around Eric Clayton´s voice. This is the kind of music where you have to have the lyrics. Without the lyrics the music can seem a bit repetitive. Eric Clayton´s lyrics are dark and poetic words about tortured souls, despair and human downfall but with a christian angle. Don´t be fooled though as he doesn´t try and preach or praise God or Jesus in his lyrics. I´m an atheist myself, and normally I hate christian preaching and praising, but this is different so don´t let it scare you away. The music can´t be compared to the more conventional progressive metal ala Dream Theater and their many clones. There are almost no instrumental runs or technical playing here the music is solely made to follow Eric Clayton´s melody lines. I said about the debut album that the music was influenced by goth rock bands like The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission and Fields of the Nephilim. This is still true about the second album, but there are not many songs here that rock. actually there are only two. The rest are slow to mid-tempo slow building symphonic songs and this album is generally very symphonic.

The album starts with the piano driven Saviour Machine I, which took me a while to really appreciate, but the melody has slowly crept into my mind and continues to stay there. It has an eerie mood. The two rocking songs follow. Enter the Idol and The Hunger Circle are the only songs that reminds me of songs like Force of the Entity and The Mask from the debut and they are also the only two songs on this second album that comes close to being progressive metal. Both songs are really excellent compositions.

Child in Silence is one of the only times on the album where I think the quality drops just a notch. It´s still a wonderful song though just not on par with the best here. Ascension of Heroes is a beautiful symphonic song which builds to a climax. It´s a very good song.

The center piece of Saviour Machine II is the epic track The Stand. This one has several climaxes and some great lyrics. It´s 16:12 minutes long and this is one of the songs on this album that I had the hardest time getting through on initial listens. It´s a real beauty given time though. Very dark and emotional.

American Babylon and Ceremony are some of the most beautiful songs on the album. American Babylon might be my favorite here. It starts out with piano and Eric Clayton´s desperate voice and builds and builds until it reaches it´s climax. This is so powerful. Note the climatic part where every intrument plays it´s own part while Eric Clayton almost spit out his anguish and despair. Ceremony is a really eerie and dark song, it´s also a favorite of mine.

Overture is just a short instrumental passage to lead into Love Never Dies which is also a very good song even though this is the second time the quality drops a notch. Saviour Machine II is a re-working of Saviour Machine I, It´s also very good allthough I like number I better.

The musicians are very good here and not a note is played wrong and everything seems thought through. Eric Clayton has to be mentioned in particular as he might be one of the most original singers and personalities in the music business. His vocals are very commanding and emotional and his stage appearance is very strange too. Dressed in a black cloak, white chalked in the face and with a big piercing through his forehead he looks like a morbid minister.

The production is much better than on the debut which I complained a bit about. Here it is very good though and suits the music very well.

This is a 4 star album for me even though it might be upgraded in time to a 5. As I said in my review of Saviour Machine´s debut album their biggest asset is also their biggest weakness. Eric Clayton´s voice defines the sound of Saviour Machine and without him there would be no Saviour Machine, but as mentioned before his voice is very extreme and it is hard to sit through the whole album if you´re not in the right mood. This is highly recommendable though to fans of dark and gothic progressive rock/ metal.

NOTE: After having listened to Saviour Machine second album a lot over the last couple of months since I wrote this review I have now come to the conclusion that this is a masterpiece and deserves all 5 stars. I have therefore upgraded this album from 4 stars to 5 stars. I´ve come to realize that Saviour Machine is one of my favorite bands even though my worldview is very different from theirs, but I just can´t stop listening to their beautiful and dark music and that´s a good indication that this is something really special. Their music has moved me more than most music is able to.

My first experience with SAVIOUR MACHINE (''Saviour Machine 1'') was really something special,I liked their debut album very much,well-arranged prog/gothic/symphonic metal......But this one...sorry,but the 2nd album is less inspired,I think I listen to the same atmosphere the whole album,it is quite boring,it's a bad copy of their first (excellent) album and you must try hard to listen to it from the start to the very end...If this album is your first experience of SAVIOUR MACHINE then maybe it worths a spin,otherwise just pass by...you don't lose something...

4.5 stars. SAVIOUR MACHINE's second album continues on the same path as the debut with it's dark and gothic mood with Christian flavoured lyrics. As UMUR mentions, this one is more difficult to digest than the debut was but patience is the key here to unlock the beauty. There's something very emotional about this music, much of that has to do with Eric Clayton's deep operatic vocals. He is the focus.

"Saviour Machine I" has to be my favourite track on here. Eric Clayton says "This opening track...is an introduction to the story that follows. It foreshadows the coming events and acts as a passionate invitation to listen on. I've always felt that this song is one of the most intimate songs i've ever composed". And he's right about the vocals being so passionate as he cries "Come with me..." in the opening line. Lots of dark piano lines as well. Love the guitar before 3 minutes. It's perfect. "The Gates" is a short instrumental intro for "Enter The Idol" which begins with the guitar taking the lead. The guitar grinds away throughout as vocals sing with passion. Some excellent guitar and drum work on this one.

"The Hunger Circle" opens with some prominant drumming and synths as vocals come in. I really like the drumming on this one. Guitar and piano follow. The vocals are pretty intense and we get some relief 3 minutes in as he stops briefly. "Child In Silence" is extremely moving. It's about children who are in suffering in silence in various ways. The guitar plays over top beautifully as Eric almost whispers the vocals at first. When he sings out, almost pleading, the guitar just soars. It ends lyrically with the words "Child in darkness, i've heard when you scream in the night,in this fear of letting go, in the light, i'll be standing there to hold you". Gulp.

"Ascension Of Heroes" is as Eric says "...a lighter song in it's musical direction and almost humerous in it's lyrical content. It is an ironic anthem of the hypocrysy within the Christian music world, specifically when Christian artists are elevated to a position of stardom and expected to remain humble". "Paradox" is a short track with no real music just samples. "The Stand" is over 16 minutes long. The epic. Love the atmosphere and the lone guitar to open. Drums join in at 1 1/2 minutes as the tempo starts to pick up. A full sound 2 1/2 minutes in with vocals, but it calms down quickly. Piano joins in. The song changes tempo and moods throughout as it unfolds. "American Babylon" is a real favourite of SAVIOUR MACHINE fans. A ballad with reserved vocals and piano that kicks into gear 5 minutes in. Quite emotional. "Ceremony" opens with piano as drums, guitar and vocals come in. This is dark folks. I like it a lot.

"Overture" is a short orchestral sounding piece that leads into "Love Never Dies". This is a brighter tune that is encouraging after all the darkness. A song of hope really. It reminds me of the picture I have of a SAVIOUR MACHINE concert that shows only the crowd as far as you can see, in darkness, yet each is holding up a candle. So emotional. Speaking of emotional the final track is heart breaking. "Saviour Machine II" is something that is beyond words. You have to hear it to feel the emotion of Eric's voice, I have never heard and felt such passion. It is Jesus who is crying these words as he is about to die on the cross. Not words of self pity, but words of power and victory. It is finished !

SAVIOUR MACHINE  2: CHOIRS AND KEYBOARDS TAKE CHARGE!

If there was ever a time where I was truly blown away while listening to a dark, gothic progressive metal album this would be the time! SAVIOUR MACHINE 2 is an epic leap forward into the progsphere. I say this because SAVIOUR MACHINE's first album  (1) was more of a power thrash metal effort with hints of that true prog metal sound that we love to hear from the likes of QUEENSR?CHE, DREAM THEATER AND PSYCHOTIC WALTZ. All in all  SAVIOUR 1 was a very fine effort, but SAVIOUR MACHINE 2 remains true to a progressive metal fan's delight and satisfaction due to the more intricate, complex sound arrangements put forth by the band with this piece. 

SAVIOUR MACHINE made some line up changes to their band, which allowed the appearance of NATHAN VAN HALLA to surface. VAN HALLA is a keyboard/synth virtuoso who has helped add a new dimension to SAVIOUR MACHINE's overall sound by allowing more layered and orchestrated synth elements to the fold to complement the bands already dynamic sound. Not to mention, front man and sound production guru, ERIC CLAYTON decided to add the CANTIBLE CHOIR ORCHESTRA to fuel SAVIOUR MACHINE's sound to epic proportions, and it is evident on about 70% of the entire SAVIOUR 2 album.  Certainly, a full fledged choir is a nice added touch and will be sure to warm the hearts of the true Gothic Monastic sound worshipers. To continue, Hearing the sound of the choir in tracks like SAVIOUR MACHINE PT1&2, CEREMONY and the epic 17min song THE STAND will immediately transport you to being inside the most beautiful, elaborate cathedral you can think of. The addictive, strong chants of the choir will have you plunged into an epic sound,glorious enough that it will make you fist pump 12,000 times!!! Metalbethyname!!! In conclusion, the CANTIBLE CHOIR along with VAL HALLA's hypnotic and virtuoso keyboard playing are the true marks of SAVIOUR MACHINE's improvement and difference in their overall sound; in fact SAVIOUR MACHINE would keep this sound structure as the true hallmark to what the LEGEND TRILOGY would represent. Guitars would take a back seat to choirs and keyboards, which would be far more present from this day forth. This is why SAVIOUR 1 has such a special place with true metal heads cause the guitar is the main sound coordinator, so if your looking for a repeat of what SAVIOUR 1 was like, your gonna be sadly mistaken. SAVIOUR 2 is a more advanced, progressive work that has a sound far more dynamic than the previous effort, so in essence S.M are not your typical sounding prog metal band. With that being said lets look at what I think are true highlights of SAVIOUR 2. 

Obviously, the self titled track of the album 'SAVIOUR MACHINE pt 1&2 are probably my favorite tracks on the album because they embody so well what SM wanted to do with their overall sound, which is again, lots of choirs and keyboards to showcase the band's newest editions and talents. Also, power ballads such as AMERICAN BABYLON, OVERTURE 1, LOVE NEVER DIES and  ASCENSION OF HEROS are enough to make a grown man cry due to how moving those tracks are both musically and lyrically. Lastly, the epic 17min THE STAND. This is a track that is sure to attack the senses with its Lyrical spit firing barrage From none other than E.C himself. Also, JEFF CLAYTON's guitar shines brightly on this track as well. Mainly though, if I may say, that really every single track On SM 2 are incredible. All 13 of them. It's an album that shines with great light from beginning to the end. S.M really prove just how musically advanced they truly are with S.M 2, although it may be more ballad laden and guitar stricken which may scare off some true prog-metal die hards, but I say to hell with that bogus line of thinking!  S.M still has a very dark edge and J.C's guitars kick in right when their needed, especially on the track ENTER THE IDOL. A perfect example of how S.M can win the hearts of any true prog metaller because more often than not metal heads want that Guitar grinding forth like a majestic steed on its way to the promise land. Ha ha. Yes indeed!

Lastly, S.M still carry their religious attitude and themes in the forefront to represent their band image and lyrical basis. The whole album is based on biblical themes and political aspects of religion with in war, questioning the difference between myth and legend and understanding the essence of time under the human condition, so don't think it's about hearts and unicorns. Hee hee. Also keep in mind that S.M are a Christian metal band, but the music and lyrics are not of that sappy convoluted  dribble, that you would find in most christian rock bands. S.M are not about being fool-hearty, silly and stringent fundamentalists. S.M are very real and they take a real dark approach to describing Christian religious Subject mater on a theological level. Needless to say SAVIOUR MACHINE are not a bunch of pussies whining about Jesus and all that other nonsense. Moreover, the album is perfect and I cannot stress how vital and important it is for anyone's prog collection. Please do not overlook this underrated gem. S.M 2 is masterpiece!

5/5  

Saviour Machine's balance of doomy riffs, gothic atmosphere, stentorian vocals and spiritual lyrics was always a difficult one to pull off, and on this second album the riffs seem to take a back seat as the music shifts in a more operatic direction to suit Eric Clayton's vocals. The end result is an album which is competent enough, but which lacks the unique alchemy which made the debut album special. Moreover, the band seem to be stuck in an atmospheric rut, with each song sounding more or less the same as any other song on the album to the point where it's sometimes difficult to remember which song you're listening to unless you've memorised the lyrics.