SAVIOUR MACHINE II

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 !