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Goldmine Magazine - 4 Star Review |
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Monday, 10 August 2009 21:41 |
Machines Of Grace
Independent Release
Grade: ★★★★
The esteemed metal band Savatage may never
record again, but at least key past and present
personnel — Jon Oliva, Chris Caffery and Zak
Stevens — all continue to make music. Stevens, lead
vocalist for Savatage from 1992 to 2000, actually
fronts two major projects these days: Circle II Circle
(which has released four albums) and the new
Machines Of Grace (which includes Metal Church
and Trans-Siberian Orchestra drummer Jeff Plate,
along with journeymen Matt Leff on guitar and Chris
Rapoza on bass.) Boasting broader appeal than most
other bands on those players’ resumes, the self-titled
debut from Machines Of Grace was produced by Paul
David Hager, whose credits include Sammy Hagar,
the Goo Goo Dolls and even Pink.
In fact, the album’s diversity may startle some
headbangers. In addition to solid anthems that
straddle rock and metal, less heavy songs such as
“The Moment” and “This Time” give Machines of
Grace unexpected depth. The acoustic “Innocence,”
despite its status as a ballad, packs almost as
much power as the thundering “Psychotic” and
mid-paced monsters “Fly Away” and “Between
the Lines” — thanks to Stevens’ muscular
and unwavering delivery. On the other hand,
“Breakdown” rocks like it’s 1988 all over again.
— Michael Popke |
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Zak and Jeff interviewed immediately following appearance on Eddie Trunk's Sirius/XM radio show |
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Tuesday, 29 December 2009 23:14 |
Vocalist Zak Stevens and drummer Jeff Plate are perhaps best known to the world for their work with the mega-successful Yuletide metal ensemble Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), whose spectacular Christmas tours have made them arena sensations, while their latest album Night Castle hit #5 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. You can hear Stevens sing back-up vocals on three songs on it, while Plate played on the new album and is on their current tour. But serious metal mavens know that the duo go back over 20 years to their time in the Boston-based metal quartet Wicked Witch, a group that played approximately 250 gigs in their three short years together.
Click HERE to read the full story! |
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Monday, 28 March 2011 15:41 |
The members of Machines Of Grace were stoked when the opportunity came to perform with Stryper on some of the dates from their 25th Anniversary World tour.
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FAST-RISING METALLISTS, MACHINES OF GRACE, SIGN ON WITH NEW AGENCY, PLOT PLANS FOR 2010 |
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Monday, 11 January 2010 21:51 |
Comprised of band members Zak Stevens (vocals, whose credits include Circle II Circle, Savatage), Matt Leff (guitars), Chris Rapoza (bass), and Jeff Plate (drums, whose credits include Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church), the Boston-based band Machines of Grace manages to both pay tribute to their metal forefathers while also keeping a modern hard rock edge throughout their just-issued self-titled debut.
And now, Machines of Grace are fully prepared to do battle with the big names of rock and metal, as the group recently signed on with Redlion Music (aka the Redlion Family). Right now, the group is planning to take it to the stage, as preparations are underway to bring Machines of Grace to the European Festival circuit for the summer, with further dates planned to begin in the early fall.
And the accolades continue to pour in, including the following:
"Before Machines of Grace took the stage most of the crowd had no clue who they were. By the time they left the stage they owned the crowd". - Heavymetalsuite101.com
"The Moment" is the sort of track that has AOR hit single written all over it". - Metalreviews.com
"If there was ever a band that has all the pieces of the puzzle in place, it is this one. There is also a bonding that goes back a long ways, that bond is what makes this one of the tightest units you will ever hear". - SeaOfTranquility.com
"The self-titled debut ‘Machines Of Grace’ is one of those legendary “Monster” albums that has something for everyone on it". - Rockoveramerica.com
"MOG's attention to emotion and mood adds a professional soundscape missing in our “single” fixated music marketplace. It also shows how accomplished the core musicianship of this band really is". - GuitarFueledRock.com
Soon, metalheads worldwide will be able to experience what the buzz is all about on a concert stage near your hometown, as Machines of Grace are guaranteed to rock the house down! “Machines Of Grace is that '71 Chevelle SS that you have been working on in your shop for years...and now it's time to take it to the strip and show it off!”, exclaims Plate, when asked about the MoG concert experience. “This is the next step in bringing Machines Of Grace to the masses. With our experience, the musicianship and quality songs that we carry, and desire to win over every person at every show, I know we will not disappoint."
For the latest information on MACHINES OF GRACE, visit their official website at the following location: www.machinesofgrace.net |
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Wednesday, 23 December 2009 02:13 |
"The Moment is the sort of track that has "AOR hit single" written all over it". "Zak Stevens' voice is excellent as always and is certainly a highlight of this album". "Guitarist Matt Leff really shows his talents throughout the album and from what I've read about him and those who know him, he is very under-rated, has definitely paid his dues, and deserves his share of the spotlight".
To read the full review, visit http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/detail.php3?id=5952 |
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