Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

LEGEND PART I

Saviour Machine

Progressive Metal


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Saviour Machine Legend Part I album cover
3.88 | 26 ratings | 6 reviews | 12% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

Write a review

Buy SAVIOUR MACHINE Music
from Progarchives.com partners
Studio Album, released in 1997

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Overture (4:42)
2. A Prophecy (1:45)
3. I Am (0:59)
4. Legend I:I (1:01)
5. The Lamb (2:28)
6. The Eyes of the Storm (6:04)
7. The Birth Pangs (6:17)
8. The Woman (5:53)
9. The Night (5:08)
10. The Sword of Islam (6:23)
11. Gog: Kings of the North (8:02)
12. The Invasion of Israel (5:06)
13. World War III - The Final Conflict I (1:48)
14. Ten - The Empire (5:10)
15. Legend I:II (2:42)
16. The Beast (5:36)
17. Antichrist I (6:47)

Total Time 75:51

Line-up / Musicians

- Eric Clayton / vocals
- Jeff Clayton / guitars
- Charles Cooper / bass
- Jayson Heart / drums
- Nathan Van Hala / keyboards, piano

Releases information

Phantom B00005O43U

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to LiquidEternity for the last updates
Edit this entry

Buy SAVIOUR MACHINE Legend Part I Music



SAVIOUR MACHINE Legend Part I ratings distribution


3.88
(26 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(12%)
12%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(50%)
50%
Good, but non-essential (27%)
27%
Collectors/fans only (8%)
8%
Poor. Only for completionists (4%)
4%

SAVIOUR MACHINE Legend Part I reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Greger
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars This third CD from progressive metal band SAVIOUR MACHINE is a big step from their previous album "Saviour Machine II" from 1994. The music is like a soundtrack to a rock opera about the bible, and the songs are much better on this one.

Another great thing about this release is the CD case. It's all black with the band name, the title of the album and the songs printed in red and silver direct on the plastic. Inside it there's a 16-page booklet complete with all of the lyrics. It's great to have the lyrics available on a concept album like this. It makes it much easier to understand the story of the album.

The singer Eric Clayton is the main man behind the most things on this CD. His vocals are sometimes reminiscent to David BOWIE. The keyboard player Nathan Van Hala is also in the forefront of it all, always present with his piano and keyboards. Very much of what he's playing is done on the piano. A good decision in my opinion.

This is definitely the album to start with if you want to get into SAVIOUR MACHINE. If you liked the previous work of SAVIOUR MACHINE I'm sure that you can't resist this one.

Review by UMUR
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars BEHOLD APOCALYPSE

Legend Part I is the third studio album from american dark rock/ metal band Saviour Machine. After releasing two critically acclaimed albums in Saviour Machine one and two and the excellent live album Live in Deutchland from 1995, Eric Clayton and co. started working on the very ambitious Legend concept which by now spans over three albums ( and as I understand a fourth one has been in the making for a long time, but has been delayed due to Eric Clayton´s bad health) of which this one is the first. The concept story is the tale from The Book of Revelation ( The Apocalypse of John), and without being the big expert when it comes to the new Testament, of which this is the most controversial book for sure, this is a very dark story about the end of the world.

The music on this album really suits the apocalyptic story well. It´s dark, sombre and at times angry. If you know the style of music Saviour Machine play the music on Legend Part I will not be a surprise as their distinct sound is unmistakable. Eric Clayton´s baritone operatic David Bowie croon is still the center of the music while piano/ keyboards, drums, bass and guitar creates the musical background. This is not technical music and it is not music where you´ll be dazzled by soloing or other exciting instrumental parts. These songs are compositions which are meant to move you emotionally and make you think. There are many quit piano driven songs where Eric Clayton sings beautiful melody lines but there are also some heavy symphonic songs like The Birth Pangs ( my favorite), Gog: The Kings Of The North and The Invasion Of Israel. What all songs have in common is the dark tense emotions and apocalyptic feel.

This is not an album that is very easily accessible and many will probably never get through the 75:51 minutes the album last. Some because they will not enjoy the depressive/ apocalyptic mood and some because the music can seem repetitive. I think the repetitive nature of the songs helps build the dense atmosphere, but for many years I was not able to enjoy Saviour Machine´s music because of this, so I understand the critics.

The musicianship is good and especially Eric Clayton needs to be mentioned for his emotional performance. Eric Clayton is just one of the most exceptional singers in the world and his paatos moves me every time. Some might find his style pathetic but personally I love it. He gives everything and then some.

The production is a bit weaker than on the previous albums which is a real shame and it does drag my rating down a bit. It´s not a bad production just not as good as it could have been.

The cover artwork doesn´t look too exiting here but holding the original black jewel case in my hands the letters are printed directly on the case and it makes this artwork a bit more original. The black case of course suits the dark music well.

Being a big concept story there are parts on this album that almost cross into musical/ story telling territory and even though I really enjoy those parts they are not as exciting to me as the REAL songs. Saviour Machine is without a doubt one of the most original and dark bands in the world and I simply love their music. This album isn´t their best in my opinion though as there are too many subtle songs and not enough heavy songs for my taste. It´s still a great album that deserves 4 stars, but mind you that you shouldn´t start here if you´re new to Saviour Machine. Start with the debut album as it is the most easily accessible album they have made. It´s like they have become more and more inaccessible with each album they release. To some this will be a treat and to others it will be a turn- off. Judge yourself.

Latest members reviews

5 stars A LEGEND IS BORN!!!❕ I have to say that it is my sincerest pleasure to review this album. I will get right to the point and say that this album, LEGEND pt1 is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is the first of 3 parts that depicts the Anastasis of Christ and the rise of Satan with his apoc ... (read more)

Report this review (#815732) | Posted by progbethyname | Wednesday, September 5, 2012 | Review Permanlink

5 stars A dark, dense shadow marches along without falter. It's massive wall of sound can be overwhelming at first, but to the right listener, it is beautiful. After you "get into" this style of music, you'll discover a masterpiece here. The mood is very grave, as the lyrics deal with the book of Revel ... (read more)

Report this review (#309885) | Posted by Earendil | Tuesday, November 9, 2010 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Legend Part I is the first of a trilogy of albums by Saviour Machine. This album is christian music, but it is unlike any christian music you have ever heard. There are no feel good "Jesus loves me this I know . . ." lyrics that are present in more contemporary christian bands. There are also ... (read more)

Report this review (#125322) | Posted by weaverinhisweb | Sunday, June 10, 2007 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Not much to say but i love SMs gothic opera/sympathy sounds ( or what ever you want to call it) i like bands like these because it brings out the darker side of me. my favorite song by SM is the sword of islam off of legend part 1. If you like the gothic opera/sympathy sounds check out Morphia ... (read more)

Report this review (#29868) | Posted by | Tuesday, April 12, 2005 | Review Permanlink

Post a review of SAVIOUR MACHINE "Legend Part I"

You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.